Calvin Synod Herald, 1993 (93. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)
1993-03-01 / 2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 5 -REFOMÁTÜSOK LAPJA r : n QUO VADIS? WHICH WAY? MERRE MEGY A KÁLVIN SZINODUS? Pastoral Reflection on the ^ condition and direction of the Calvin Synod y As we approach the end of this decade and century, it is imperative to critically assess our collective Synodical life. Facing a new millennium, we are living amidst a renewed eschatological dimension. It has manifested itself in the current world-wide unprecedented political and social changes that have swept over the globe and particularly in Eastern Europe. The Lord Of History has turned fast the grindstones of events and therefore we need an evaluation of our condition and direction? Do we participate consciously in evaluation of our condition and direction? Do we participate consciously in God's redeeming plans or do we retreat into theological and historical irrelevance? The signs meriting concern are all around us: 1. ) Most of our churches, like most main line Protestant groups', are suffering from a seemingly irreversible spiritual, demographic and economic downturn. Due to the peaceful evolutionary change in Eastern Europe it is quite unlikely that new waves of Hungarian immigrants will supply potential members for the foreseeable future. What is to be done in such a situation? 2. )There is adestructiveprocess of fragmentation amongst us. We are practicing an increasingly extreme form of Congregationalism where ambitious and ill-disciplined ministers or laity can pull a local church away from the fellowship. They join other UCC Conferences without even a consultation. We seem to be quite impotent to counter such a trend. What is to be done to alter such a violation of Synodical integrity? 3. ) Because of the two-year term of office some Synod members are in a perpetual State of election fever. This short mandate robs the Conference Council of the ability to create long-term planning or allow the emergence of long-range implementation of ideas from previous administrations. Consequently, the leadership style of successive Synod administrations has been that of trouble shooting, inconsistency, short term crisis management, inadequate incrementalist responses and lack of initiating. Why don't we extend the terms of the Council for four years, renewable once, to assure greater efficiency and save exposure from election-related conflicts? 4. ) The selection process, to a large degree, is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee. The positions should be open to all, and the Nominating Committee should examine a candidate's vita and conduct in an interview with him/her, so their recommendation may rest on merit. 5. ) The next Synodical meeting promises to be a crucial one. Not only will we again elect new leaders from a shrinking pool of competence, but decide essential issues which, in my opinion, demand profound theological reflection and preparation. Although our Synod adheres to The Bible, The Second Helvetic Confession and The Heidelberg Cathechismbut we allow ourselves to operate without a current and renewed theological framework. We are quite unprepared to do more than protest the still left-leaning social and political agenda of the United Church of Christ. How can we be helpful and positive in such a dilemma? What theological and spiritual insights can we offer in addressing problems emerging in the post-Marxian paradigm? By searching for aconstructive role, we can avoid a situation when we become only a focus of dissenting opinions or a collection of the most conservative elements within the UCC. Yes, we are a Biblical Synod, having a precious confessional and historical heritage, but the mandate of Ecclesia Semper Reformari (The Church always needs to be reforming) requires an open attitude which is a process of discovering God's continuous, dynamic revelation to our generation. Before we open wide our doors to others we need to articulate clearly that our "evangelical" theology and practice is not the same as is found south of the Mason-Dixon line. 6. ) A road to healing for us leads through a critical examination of our present theological, spiritual and practical understanding concerning God's Word. Sadly, we are ill-prepared even for that. We have managed to exist without the benefit of a Theological Committee, which could have been the guiding conscience of the Synod. Belatedly, can we establish one? 7. )Thequestion ofpersonal andcollectiverenewal shouldalso be addressed. When will we offer the often-recommended retreats to our tired clergy and burned-out laity? Can we use Synod financial resources to conduct such occasions regularly? These ideas represent only a modest attempt to direct our collective attention toward those issues God has forced us to face. It is clear that "business as usual" cannot continue. Our future is at stake. Our churches, our people, indeed the head of the church of our Lord, demand that we deal with these issues. For the sake of the Synod and Christ's flock we cannot afford to do less. Dr. Laslo Medyessy f The Eternal Message of Easter From the prologue to the volume entitled "The Two-Armed Cross" by Joseph Kovácsy (Translated from Hungarian by Editor) It is foolish to live honestly and straight among restraints, bound to mental links, to place your faith in someone, something Great when agonized, carried to the brinks, bearing crosses of two unlike domains, when nohope for RESURRECTION remains, the new dogmas left no mark on my soul, their worth swallowed in blood's oceanic bowl my new-made Cross, two "isms's" queer creation with no body on its strange fixation, no such greeting: "Where art thou, new Adam?" splintering me, disintegrating them - what combat-prize was produced by grapple ? who inherits Canaan's pledged Apple? from those twelve tribes with each others' hate, whose red-blood will fulfill GOLGOTHA 's Fate? In this new world, so international my own ill-fate brings no things rational - sorely needed, where are you, Oh, Omens? to be MAGYAR, Christ-like acts are orders. Pilates are set for retaliation brewing foams for my woeful damnation in furious battle between EAST- WEST - from mine own flesh, flow of blood they request with weapon's trunks they beat me on Palm Sunday, my Cross I bear, like Lord, on next FRIDA Y bleeding from wounds for my "lock-homed" landsmen, their'sisthe Word, God's the Power in Heaven; their hatred can't survive here forever - the day-break comes at the dawn of EASTER my shackles torn, my imprisonment ends - in me "MAGYAR, the splendid resurrects!!! Dr. Laslo Medycsy
