Calvin Synod Herald, 2001 (102. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-07-01 / 7-8. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Hungarian Reformed to Keep Synod Government Calvin Synod took the first step to reaffirm its historic continuity, not only as an institution but also as a living expression, of its Hungarian Reformed roots and confessions at its Annual Meeting this Spring. It moved to add a new section to its constitution, if it is ratified at the next meeting, which plainly spells out its presbyterial orientation as a synod, rather than a confederation of autonomous churches and ministers in the congregational style. When the United Church of Christ was created in 1957, it was a merger of two denominations with very different organizational patterns. The Evangelical and Reformed Church consisted of synods, with a single faith order and government regulating each of its synods, churches, ministers and members, according to one basic constitution and set of bylaws. The Congregational Christian Churches were a loose confederation of conferences and associations, with virtually no regulatory power, and of totally autonomous churches and members also free to act on their own, yet unable to constrain the absolutely independent bodies above. It was the latter groupás fear that the merger would permit others to impinge upon thie absolute autonomy that led to the inclusion of a special set of “Interpretations" attached to the “Basis of Union”. They included an irrevocable guarantee that there could be co compulsion to unite, one or all, with any of the synods (or associations and conferences) and only do so when they consented. The proposed addition to the Constitution of Calvin Synod therefore reads: Calvin Synod, consistent with “The Basis of Union and The Interpreations” that brought the United Church of Christ into being, which declared “Synods, conferences, associations and churches are to retain their present status until they are united by their own action and when mutually agreeable, ” declares that Calvin Synod will continue as a Synod, under the policy and principles of presbyterial forms and usages, and without break in its historic and doctrinal continuity. It is perhaps a twist that the only continuing Synod under this section retains its pre-merger status. It is a misnomer for some to call Calvin Synod an “acting conference,” as the constitutions past and present never authorize such a body and, more importantly. Calvin Synod entered into the merger as a Synod, and retains its status to the present day. Calvin Synod alone operates under presbyterial forms as a synod, not as an independent association or conference that cannot be regulated by its constituent churches. In this synod, neither churches, nor ministers, nor members are autonomous, and cannot do whatever they want, but are governed by the synod’s regulatory process inherent in being Reformed. There are voices, in the present as in the past, who have called for the demise of Calvin Synod. However, it is not that the merger of a few congregations into the area associations American Hungarian Reformed Ministers ’ Association August 6, 2001 Dear Colleagues, The Annual American Hungarian Ministers Association meeting will be held on September 3-4, at the Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Our meeting will begin with the traditional combined communion worship service with the Presbyters Association on Monday, September 3, at 11:00 am in the chapel. As part of the preliminary proceedings, we shall be dedicating the newly acquired Ligonier Gardens by Pa. Route 30. The meeting agenda is being compiled. One of our guest speakers will be Rev. Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old from Princeton Seminary. His presentation will focus on “Preaching the Reformed Tradition” from the early church fathers (e.g. Chrysostom). He is seeking our input for a chapter on the Hungarian Reformed (expository) preaching style for his seven-volume book on the topic. Please come prepared to share in the discussion. Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan will focus attention on the service of our Diaspora churches and the need for cooperation with the Consultative Convent and Seminaries regarding bilingual ministerial supply for our churches. Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Vitéz, Mr. Stephen Szabó and others will give reports on the recently held meetings of the Consultative Convent and the Hungarian Reformed World Federation in Hungary and Transylvania. Room reservations may be made at the Ramada Inn, Ligonier, PA. Please call 724-238-9545. In Christ, Louis Medgyesi, Bishop Ministers Association president would make a difference to them. But those voices want to silence the combined voices of the confessional Reformed ministers and members, a thorn in the flesh for the unbiblical vocal minority in the United Church of Christ. Because it is still necessary to gather about the creeds and confessions, rooted in the Bible and tempered in the crucible of tragedy, it is necessary for Calvin Synod to exist as an expression of the Christian faith in America and to the world. So, a Synod it is - a Synod it stays! - Or, in some famous Hungarian words: Nem, nem, soha! Rev. Albert W. Kovács
