Calvin Synod Herald, 1979 (79. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1979-07-01 / 7-8. szám

REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA

3

BISHOP'S REPORT-1979

THE BALANCE OF FOUR YEARS

The Annual Synod Meeting is an appropriate opportunity to reflect on accomplishments and shortcomings as well as raise questions about the future. This time I would like to do this in the mirror of four years, not just the usual one, in order to provide a more adequate perspective as we change administration. At such a time, reflection seems to be more advisable than overburdening the new Council with heavy recommendations. Hence the theme of my report, “The Balance of Four Years.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: BLESS THE LORD!

The inclination of our wicked heart, especially when motivated by opportunistic ambitions, is to see only the dark side of life in exaggerated proportions and to neglect the brighter aspects which call us to bless the Lord for His unmerited benefits. Perhaps this is the reason why David reminded himself, “Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” (Ps. 103:2-3). Following his example, let us ask ourselves, then, with sincere humility: What have been His blessings and benefits among us in recent years so that we may bless His Name!

Fathers, Brothers and Sisters!

1. BLESS THE LORD THAT WE HAVE SURVIVED. Despite of a hostile and adulterous age, despite of our “theological amnesia,” despite of ourselves, we still have 39-40 congregations over 5,000 reported membership, served by 30 bi-lingual pastors. In 1975, we had 41 churches with 4,962 members, in four years 2 churches were dissolved, but officially we have 48 ministers and 5,009 church members, despite the fact that during the four years in 8 congregations the membership remained the same, in 17 it decreased, and only in 14 did the membership grow. Of course, I do not know how reliable the membership figures are, but I do know that three of our congregations (Lynwood, Cleveland West and Hammond, Ind.) built new churches and parsonage during the last four years. We exist, we have survived, we want to live as His people: let us bless the Lord for this benefit! Of course, we have to be concerned about our Sunday School, our youth, the quality of church membership, lay leadership, pastoral compatibility, AND WE ARE, but these concerns should never mute in us the joy that He gathers, defends, protects us!

2. BLESS THE LORD THAT WE HAVE SURVIVED TOGETHER. It is another gift of God tthat for 41 years, He kept us together as a Synod, and despite of attacks from the “outside" and disruptive forces on the “inside,” we still have this precious fellowship. O do not take it for granted: not all Hungarian Reformed churches have this privilege! Thank God, in the last four years our existence was not questioned by outside friends or foes, but there were signs that we could have fallen apart by our own faults such as lack of discipline, ideological warfare, spiritual apathy, etc. E.g. seven of our pastors have not returned yet the statistical reports that were due on February 1. Yet we stay together, we had good Synod meetings, and in the last four years we could hold 2 retreats, too. In the first retreat, pastors and church leaders listened to each other, analyzed and clarified issues, listed grass root priorities, and cultivated the sense of togetherness. The second retreat was held last fall when 26 pastors discussed, in good learning-sharing fellowship, the problems and possibilities of the pastor, the local church, the Synod, our public life. Of course, the implementation of these retreats can be more systematic and consistent, but do not forget that a very valuable process has started, and bless the Lord for this benefit!

3. BLESS THE LORD THAT WE HAVE SURVIVED TOGETHER IN HIS MINISTRY. Let me mention a few areas of this ministry!

(a) ADMINISTRATION. Although we could not do all things necessary, but we tried to build the communion of the saints into a community of historic identity by communicating the gifts of Jesus Christ freely and with joy for the benefit and welfare of other members. We were able to fill all vacancies when almost onethird of our churches had pastoral changes in the last 45 years and when non- Synod churches, even the larger ones, had great difficulties to obtain capable,

Official

Communications

THE 41ST ANNUAL MEETING of our Synod is past. Twenty-nine of our 40 congregations were represented by 19 pastors, 24 presbyter delegates (43). Also present were 7 ministers without charge and 2 persons in dual membership, a total of 52 voting members, and about 30 guests (82).

It was a “moving” meeting as the group had an opportunity to “move” to Wallingford, Fairfield, South Norwalk and visit First UCC in Bridgeport, all in good weather ...

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SYNOD MEETING includes:

— NEW CONFERENCE COUNCIL was elected consisting of the Rt. Rev. Desmond D. Parragh Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Butosi Deputy Bishop, the Rev. Zoltán Király Secretary, the Rev. Nicholas Novak Treasurer, Mr. Elmer Charles Synod Presbyter.

— For long and meritous services a certificate of recognition was given to Dr. Joseph Piri of Cleveland, Ohio with “Synod Presbyter Emeritus” distinction, the Rev. Anthony Szabó of Los Angeles, Cal., and Mr. Charles Toth of Rossville, N.Y. They were introduced by Dr. Stephen Szabó, Rt. Rev. Desmond Parragh and Dr. Francis Vitéz respectedly.

— Our representatives in the Board of Directors of the Bethlen Home are: Rev. Zoltán Kovács and delegates from Cleveland East, South Norwalk and Columbus, Ohio.

— Upon the recommendation of the Committee on Church and Ministry the Rev. Nicholas Novak was granted full standing upon transfer from Western Reserve Association; the UCC Hungarian Reformed Church of Phoenixville, Pa., upon their request, was granted dual membership with their pastor, the Rev. Eugene Z. Szabó; permission was given to Lie. Stephen Nagy to be ordained, pending his June graduation from seminary and passing the required examination before the Committee; Mr. William Ellis of Lake Station, Ind. was admitted to the Lay Ministry Program under the supervision of Bishop Parragh; to Mr. William Nyerges licensure was given.

— The following recommendations were adopted:

(a) In case present buyer of the Children’s Home building of the Beth-