Magyar Egyház, 1970 (49. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-04-01 / 4. szám
14 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ deserves it, too). But the fellowship of disciples is here to stay. It will always find new ways—if some of the old ways don’t work any longer—how to heal and how to serve and how to reconcile. * Day by day we must honestly examine ourselves— pastors and elders first—to what measure dare we call ourselves Christ’s disciples, to what measure dare we call our congregations fellowships of his disciples. You may take along these words of mine and say, ‘It was good food for thought.’ That is not the important thing. Important is to stand face to face to Christ. We have his Word—we should be exposed to it not only cursorily once a week at Sunday worship but at every possible opportunity, at meetings and at home. And we should expose to the Word of Christ the world we live in—not by pious repetition of the Word but by becoming men and women and children in whom the Word is truly living. Faithful and dynamic discipleship will solve a number of existing problems—some of them overrated—and will also open up new vistas for the witness of the church. We must develop a deeper interest for each other. Let us visit each other—small groups of men, women, young people, elders, just for the sake of fellowship. Our contacts with each other are confined to the annual elders’ and women’s conferences, some youth conferences and the “big” congregational affairs attended by a few delegates. This is hardly a real cultivation of fellowship. Turning to another question I should like to see a closer cooperation with other churches—churches belonging to other Hungarian Reformed groups (Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Dutch Reformed) as well as to other American denominations. We are a tradition-bound church; this, however, must not keep us in isolation from the mainstream of American church life. We are nominal members of several interdenominational organizations. After the Detroit General Assembly of the National Council of Churches last December I believe we should take a ‘wait and see’ position in regard to that organization. But in the World Council of Churches and especially in the Reformed World Alliance we could find some rewarding areas of service. The channels of communication are open, interest and work are needed for active participation. In all these matters—including all the vital issues of the day (Vietnam war, civil rights, war on poverty, biodictatorship, West-East relations) and adding to them the particular concerns we have in regard to the Reformed Churches in Hungary and in the post-war countries— everyone is entitled to a personal opinion. The denomination—through the Bishop’s Council or the General Assembly—may issue pronouncements but the freedom of individual opinion of pastors and people must never be denied. What we need, in my opinion, is a frank discussion of all issues in the congregations as well as on the inter-congregational level. I hold it also very important that lay people and young people be included. Here is another issue I wish to address myself to. The majority of our people are of Hungarian origin. I feel very strongly that they should be instructed not only in the history of our Reformed Church but also in the history of the Hungarian people. This—done not only within the program of church organizations but also from the pulpit (using illustrations from the Hungarian past and present)—should contribute to the deeper awareness of our obligations and responsibilities. I wonder how much our second generation people know about the treaty of Trianon, the most cruel and brutal peace treaty after World War I which affected not only millions of Hungarians but was the source of tragic events in world history. All our people should be informed about this— the 50th anniversary of Trianon will be on June 4th of this year. Our members of other national origin should not resent this. Hungarian history is the continuous record of God’s mighty works in the life of a nation so very similar to that of the Old Testament. Before closing my words I wish to express my thanks to my co-workers in the classis administration. I also wish to thank the Trenton church for its gracious hospitality this afternoon. But most of all I wish to salute all the people of our congregations—the old ones and the young ones, the active ones and the inactive ones, too. Let us pray for all that they have a yearning after a living fellowship in Christ. And let us pray for our mother church across the ocean that the Lord give them both strength and wisdom to witness to an all-conquering faith. And let us pray for the world which God loves with an unceasing love. Andrew Harsányi, Dean László Hunyady: FAITH AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS A concise summary of the Christian Faith and Ethics. Includes a Short Summary for Confirmation. 120 pages. Order from R. L. Hunyady, 50 Washington Ave., Colonia, N. Jersey 07067. — $2.50. ANGLICAN, CATHOLIC PRIMATES DISCUSS FUTURE INew York, (EPS) — An Anglican primate and a Roman Catholic primate shared recently a Protestant pulpit in New York City at the invitation of a Protestant seminary. Roth expressed hope for Christianity's future and one said he was hopeful that Christian unity would come soon. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey, joined Leo Cardinal Suenens, archbishop of Malines-Brussels and primate of Belgium, in addressing 2,000 people at Riverside Church in a program arranged by interdenominational Union Theological Seminary. “The ecumenical movement is not a defensive action undertaken by a dying church'", said Dr. Ramsey. “It is the outcome of the faith and courage of those who support the Church.” Cardinal Suenens affirmed that “the church of the future will draw men closer to the living God.” The words of Christ must he spoken in styles and liturgies of the present time, he said. The Holy Spirit brings the past and present together and leads into the future.
