Magyar Egyház, 2000 (79. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2000 / 2. szám
2. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ HOPE FOR A NEW CENTURY As summer is approaching, many folks who have their roots in Europe will be preparing to travel back that way. Countries and cites are having special festive celebrations to commemorate the new century. Denominations are reviewing their history and looking into the future to see how they might better serve their people and their Lord. It might be worthwhile to consider a few suggestions on this topic. We should never forget our places of origin and the principles that were given to us from these rich places of heritage. It is always good to look at old photographs, maps and books that tell us of our past and those who sacrificed much for our present. However, there are some dangers in focusing on the past with a disregard for the future. In our service to the Lord, we should always be in obedience to His commandments and principles. He has given us commands to be faithful to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles. In doing that, we should evaluate our customs and principles in light of the testaments that we have as Christians. Focusing on the past should never conflict with focusing on the Lord. Our second focus should be on the members of our church, both in particular and in general. Our Lord has commanded us to love one another and to be available to one another in times of great need and in times of plenty. For instance, the American church should not prosper at the expense of the church in other parts of the world. With love and discipleship, we should help one another meet needs of the larger church. In doing so, we should not neglect helping the elderly, the young and others in need within our own congregations here in the United States. Our third focus should be on the world in which we live. Our Lord has commanded us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”. In doing this, we must keep a balance between evangelism and discipleship and between edification and leadership training. The great need in our hour of spirituality is to see men, women, boys and girls come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Throughout church history, the church has had trouble keeping a balance, whether it be in theology or social Concern. In the next few years our prayer and ministry should be to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and body and our neighbors as ourselves. Reverend Dr. Thomas Burbridge Senior Pastor American Hungarian Reformed Church Allen Park, Michigan GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS PREVAILED GADSDEN, Ala. - Alabama Circuit Court Judge, Roy Moore, has been cleared of ethics questions involving a legal defense fund for the Ten Commandments displayed in his courtroom, according to the Associated Press. Moore told a courtroom full of supporters that God’s righteousness had prevailed after St. Clair County District Attorney, Van Davis said he had found no evidence to support an Alabama ethics commission complaint alleging the judge may have violated state law. In June, the State Ethics Commission had voted 5-0 that probable cause existed for charges that Moore illegally profited from a defense fund established by a friend who supported Moore’s fight to keep the Ten Commandments display in his courtroom. Moore received more than 100,000 in donations by the defense fund for his fight against the American Civil Liberties Union, which challenged his display and his practice of starting court sessions with prayer. The Alabama Supreme Court eventually dismissed the ACLU’s case without ruling on the merits. MAGYAR EGYHÁZ SUMMER 2000 VOL. 79, NO. 2 ISSN 0860-5760 Published quarterly EDITOR IN CHIEF The Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop 13 Grove St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 EDITOR Stephen I. Szabó, Chief Elder 464 Forest Ave., Paramus, New Jersey 07652 BUSINESS MANAGER Priscilla Hunyady 50 N. Washington Ave., Colonia, NJ 07067 OFFICE OF PRINTING I.H. Printing, P.O. Box 1479 Somerset, NJ 08875-1479 OFFICE OF PUBLICATION Magyar Egyház — Magyar Church 464 Forest Ave., Paramus, New Jersey 07652 Subscription: $6.00 yearly; Group $5.00 SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT WOODBRIDGE NEW JERSEY Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to Business Manager ADDRESS CORRECTION: Stephen I. Szabó, 464 Forest Ave., Paramus, New Jersey 07652
