Magyar Egyház, 1971 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1971-10-01 / 10. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9 Realizations, Awakenings and Communications .... This year’s B.Y.F. National Conference at Jumonville, Pa., as every year, helped our youth to develop new friendships, kinships that will last from conference to conference, or executive board meetings. The outstanding feature of the conference this year was Rev. Papp’s lecture: “Will the real phony please stand up?” The boys and girls felt that the lecture was about them, it related to them, and the lecturer made them feel that he was sort of one of them. His sessions triggered a strong response from the youth. For the first time no one, except the “deadly sick” stayed in the cabins. It is the McKeesport Youth Fellowship’s merit to bring this theme and lecturer to the conference, it is a great credit to them. Furthermore, at the discussion sessions it was strongly voiced by all that the gap between our denomination’s youth and the older generation is sorely realized: “Our minister doesn’t always understand us . . . but our councilmen and the older laymen in the church aren’t any better, either!” As a youth advisor, and not so long ago a “youth” myself, I observed that at this last conference the theme “Will the real phony please stand up?” became a realization that this means them, the youth. It wasn’t a mere lecture, it became reality, the thought of the whole weekend. Nobody attempted to pass the buck, but everyone felt that today’s youth should not only understand, but should also be understood, should not only listen, but also be heard. In th is spirit a resolution was passed that the Executive Board form a Committee to meet with our ministers to further discuss this. It was also suggested that the local Youth Fellowships include the discussion of this vital problem in this year’s program, so that we will be able to discuss how to bring our church-life up-to-date without changing the original message of the gospel: Salvation Through Christ. Our bishop’s and some other ministers’ visit was an encouragement to our youth, hut more of the same sort is needed. Lay leaders’ visit is badly needed! Last year many families from the neighboring New Jersey churches visited in great numbers. The absence of local lay-people was keenly noted this year. Even though there is no formal invitation extended, our youth welcomes and looks forward to see visitors at the conference. As an advisor, I further observed that the noticeable absence of our pastors, church officers and laymen caused disappointment. Our young people under the surface are as proud and pleased as could be to see these same people show visible interest in them and their way of Christian fellowship at the conference. The physical presence of lay visitors would be encouraging to show our youth that the church’s laymen’s interest in our young people goes beyond the financial sponsoring. This traditional Labor Day weekend with our youth is a priceless opportunity to close the generation gap which may develop into a serious threat to our church’s future. Let us hope that more pastors, church officers and laymen will take an advantage of the opportunity to meet our youth in action at the 1972 B.Y.F. National Conference to listen and understand that our youth’s purpose although sometimes it sounds different, it still carries a deep desire and interest in the teachings of our Hungarian Reformed Church. Frank Demes National Advisor, B.Y.F.
