Calvin Synod Herald, 1978 (78. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1978-05-01 / 5-6. szám

4

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

the words of the faithless majority: “We are not able to go up against the giants” (Nu. 13:31-33), or do we listen to the words of the faithful minority: “Let us go up at once and occupy it; for we are able to overcome the giants by the power of God.” (Nu. 13:30, 14:8). I pray that in these days of momentous decisions we would not choose captains to lead us back to Egypt, but rather heed the warnings of our new Caleb Jesus Christ and move with Him to our promised inheritance.

SCANNING THE HORIZON

What are some of those giants that frighten us as we scan the horizon. Let me just sketch them as I look around us in 6-7 directions.

1. PASTORS. Presently we have 49 ministers on our “List of Ministers in Full Standing” — of whom 27 serve as pastors of our 39 congregations (7 from other denominations), 7 retired, 2 in ecumenical work, 3 in business, 6 in educational work, 4 in other religious work. In addition we have 10 ministers in dual standing, 2 ordained but not serving, 1 with Privilege of Call, 1 licensed student, 4 students, a total of 18 persons. — Most of these 67 persons are faithful to our Synod, although the role and significance of our Synod is not exactly clear to them — until they experience hardship, unfair treatment and defenselessness in the local churches. However, we must be aware of the fact that most of our pastors are waging a noble fight on the battle field of God’s Kingdom under difficult circumstances: in small churches, with low salary they courageously bear the double burden of bi-lingual ministry often time without the understanding and support of their elders or congregations. The strengthening of our pastors is one of our urgent needs and I intend to re-establish pastoral retreats this year.

Of course, the pastors are not without fault either. Many of them do not know the elementary obligations in Synod administration. The return of the statistical reports is the case in point. Of our 39 active churches, 25 reports were returned in due time, 7 were too late, and 7 have not arrived yet! I certainly hope that these congregations will not expect change of figures now! Next year I will even name them!

Even more astounding is the return of the voting list. Last year the Synod voted that “each congregation should submit its voting membership list to the Bishop’s Office not later than February 1 of each year; this list will be considered as a reported membership on all official form of Synod and denomination” (XLI:11), yet only 9 congregations obeyed the law (Bridgeport, Fairport Harbor, Homestead, Lynwood, McKeesport, Perth Amboy, Rankin, Rossville, Whiting). My friends, our decision last year was a far cry from the concept I suggested through the Eastern Classis’ recommendation, but I obeyed, because we agreed on it! You have the right to change a wrong decision through parlimentary process, but if you arbitrarily select the laws you obey, the result will be demoralization-and chaos. Evidently, we keep on discussing this problem (two'classes request it!), but in the meantime let us act as responsible, disciplined church leaders!

2. CONGREGATIONS. The number of our constituent churches fell below the 40 mark this year, the first time in many years. The Uniontown, Pa. church was dissolved on April 20 1977, and subsequently their church building sold with the valuable help of the Rev. A. Jalso. Two of our churches are on the inactive list (Trenton, Hartford) which means that we have 37 churches with more or less regular services. Many of these churches are small, plagued with gigantic problems and struggling for survival. Our retreat a year ago indicated these symptoms, and I am sorry that we could not continue the process started then. One little thing we did, however. In accordance with resolution XXXIV: 1/77 a questionnaire was mailed to our churches to ascertain the Sunday School curriculum for the purpose of developing a unified Sunday School program for our congregations. Of the 40 questionnaires 13 were returned. Such an attitude prevents us even to see our problem. What we see now is that the 13 churches use 6 different curricula with contradictory evaluations, none dealing with our denominational aspects, much less with our Hungarian Reformed “roots.”

tion), Sarah Kovats (lay ministry), Steve Nagy (licenture), Eva Fabian (studies), Rev. S. Sziarto (dual standing), Student Loan Fund (Bishop Office).

Committee on Church Papers requested the churches to subscribe to A.D. and to Synod Herald; submit address changes yearly; help with news items and suggestions. Rev. Vitéz served as editor for 10 yrs.

On Youth Work, an encouraging report was made on the forthcoming Youth Conference (Aug. 20-26, on a beautiful new ground near Ligonier, keeping the cost at $50, etc.).

Synod also acted favorably on Ministerial and Church Workers Retreats, new budget making, continued Erdély Relief, Human Rights, etc. but perhaps the most far-reaching decision was that of Bethlen Home.

CONCERNING THE BETHLEN HOME, Synod UNANIMOUSLY accepted the following recommendation:

“In the spirit of our godly heritage which has made the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, the Bethlen Home and our churches ONE family in the service of our people, the Calvin Synod Conference of the UCC wishes to use the Children’s Home buildings of the Bethlen Home with option to buy them in 3-5 years in order to create a HUNGARIAN REFORMED CENTER for the purpose of cultivating the ecclesiastical, scientific, cultural, educational, social and fraternal programs of our people. The Conference Council be authorized to enter into negotiations with the Hungarian Ref. Federation of America regarding the use of the Children’s Home buildings of the Bethlen Home. After a suitable agreement is reached concerning maintenance, amortization mortgage payment, and a Council-prepared plan and budget, it is to be approved by the referendum vote of the delegates of the 40th Annual Meeting of the Calvin Synod not later than May 25, 1978. The approval by the referendum vote empowers the Conference Council to act on and execute the necessary official papers.”

THE SYNOD MEETING also elected Mr. Andrew Kurimai (S. Norwalk) as Gen. Synod delegate. To the Bethlen Home Board of Directors the following churches are to send representatives: S. Norwalk, Homestead, Cleveland First, Chicago West (Norridge). Rev. Z. Kovács ex-officio.