Calvin Synod Herald, 2003 (104. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
2003-05-01 / 5-6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 “Holy Fast” in Ligonier AN UNUSUAL EVENT The SUN was brightly shining when the Holy Fast started on September 2,2002 in Bethlen Home of Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The Presbyter’s Conference was in session already, when participants of the Holy Fast and of the Ministerial Conference were arriving from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, from Canada to the Mexican Border. To the meeting room additional chairs were brought in and the 100 Holy Fast folders were hardly enough. Many of us praised God for this unusual happening, and prayed for even greater blessings. WHAT IS HOLY FAST? For what do we mean by holy fast? Our creed, the Second Helvetic Confession defines it in the context of the “flesh” and “Spirit” conflict: “Fasting is nothing else, than the abstinence and moderation of the godly, and a discipline, care and chastisement of the flesh, undertaken as necessity for the time being, whereby we are humbled before God.” (Chapter XXIV) THREE ISSUES Our creed also tells us, that “such a fast should be kept at this day when the church is in distress.” We are deeply convinced that the Hungarian Reformed congregations in the USA are in distress in these days, at least in three areas: (1) our ethnic identity, (2) our church situation, and (3) our mission challenge. The Holy Fast was called at Ligonier, Pennsylvania on September 2-3,2002. Consider these issues: HOW DID WE DEAL WITH THESE THREE ISSUES Each of the three sessions had the following phases: (a) Knowing well that in Christian faith and morals the SCRIPTURE is the only norm, the trustworthy guide for us, we started with the Bible. What does the Word of God say on the subject. This task was assigned to the Rev. Dr. John PÁSZTOR, who was pastor, theological professor, lecturer in Hungary and abroad, missionary in African, and the author of several pertinent books. He came from Budapest to Ligonier. - (b) Because we also know that God’s Word addresses us in our concrete situation, we tried to provide this contextuality in various ways: several respondents were selected in advance to respond to the scriptural presentation and add to it what we experience in the USA congregation in regard to the issue; also the audience (including the moderator) were asked to make notes during the lecture and raise questions on the subject. - (c) The final phase was concerned primarily with the congregations: what can we do on the local level to change survival struggle into authentic Christian witness. This purpose was served by the Task Force which was supposed to summarize the “lessons”, and prepare a message to the congregations. Later on questions were added to serve the same purpose. THREE SESSIONS FROM BIRD’S EYE VIEW When we assigned 3 hours for each session, someone made the remark: “It’s too much! How can you fill 3 hours with the same subject?” As it turned out, the lack of time presented one of the problems. The attendance remained high, the attention keen, and the desire to speak almost unmanageable. There was no personality clash, impatient interruption, impolite shoutings. We listen to each other. The meeting was unified, dignified and constructive all through. Without going into details, we can say that the contents of the meeting as well as its method were well prepared and properly executed. Dr. Pasztor’s three presentation were scholarly, hard food for theological stomach, but provided solid Biblical/confessional/up-to-date foundation for our discussion and planning. Thanks and appreciation were expressed. - The respondents did their best to make our contextual situation authentic and relevant. Especially the “notes” of those present were shockingly fresh and thought-provoking. - The reports of the task forces were not discussed by the meeting as they would have deserved it, but this way they may be better discussion starter in other settings. CONCLUSION All this leads to the conclusion the HOLY FAST MUST BE CONTINUED. This is why a 51 page REPORT was prepared and mailed to all of our congregations. Several or our pastors and congregations plan to use it in various ways. The Eastern Classis intends to utilize it at their fall meeting. But we can go a step further! We can envision the Hungarian Reformed World Federation to call a meeting for the consideration of these vital issues. Perhaps the theme can be: “From Survival Syndrome to Christian Witness.” Why not? With God everything is possible! Dr. John Butosi The Younger Brother Once upon a time, a long time ago as all good stories begin, there lived in the mountains of the Carolinas a farmer who had two sons. Life on the farm in the mountains could be hard with work from sun up until sun down and little time for anything else. However, the family was happy and had all that they needed. For many years not a cross word was heard. Being isolated from the rest of the world and been taught the responsibility of work from birth, the brothers knew little of the world beyond their mountain home. They poured themselves into the family farm with joy and were happy. One day a traveling salesman passed through selling encyclopedias. The father, listening to the great good the salesman assured him would come to the boys from having access to all this knowledge, purchased the books. The boys could read and write and do all the other things youth of their age could do because their mother had care(continued on page 6)
