Magyar Református Egyház

Author Archive

Calvin Synod Chooses New Bishop – Rt. Rev. Béla Poznán

The Calvin Synod meeting May 18-21, 2010 in Ligonier, PA elected it’s new Bishop for the coming three year term.

The Calvin Synod chooses their Bishops from active, installed clergy for a period of three years, with the opportunity for reelection to a second term.

Rev. Csaba Krasznai was elected Auxiliary Bishop of the Synod and also will have the new title “Rt. Rev.”

Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig who served as Bishop from 2004 to 2010 was elected General Secretary and also designated “Bishop Emeritus”.

Exhibition on persecution of churches under communism

An exhibition of photos and documents depicting persecution of priests and believers in Hungary’s Kadar era (1956-1988) opened in Budapest on Friday.

The display at the cultural centre of the Jesuit Order was organised by the Hungarian Catholic, Reformed and Lutheran churches, member of the organising team Gabor Tabajdi told reporters.The exhibition and its accompanying conference were designed to present the ways and mechanisms the one-time party-state applied to blackmail members of religious communities to spy on their fellow-believers, Tabajdi said.

From Caboodle.hu

The documentary “Dracula’s Shadow: The Real Story Behind the Romanian Revolution” is being screened at various sites in the U.S. and Canada during May 2010 on a fundraising tour for the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation.

The film tells the story of how one May 1989 clandestine interview by former Quebec Cabinet Minister Michel Clair and Radio-Canada reporter Réjean Roy with Hungarian Reformed (Romanian Reformed Church) minister the Rev. László Tokés in Timisoara, Romania, changed history and led to the secret police-defying demonstrations of 15 December 1989 where hundreds of people risked their lives to defend the dissident pastor.

The Christian Observer too, played a role in this pivotal period in Romanian history by spiriting a mimeograph machine into Romania to the Rev. László Tokés, a friend of the late Christian Observer Publisher [and minister with standing in the Calvin Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church] the Rev. Dr. Edwin Elliott, who accomplished the mission with the invaluable assistance of a Dutch television crew on the ground in Romania. Tokés used the mimeograph to have news about his plight quietly distributed throughout Romania in the months leading up to the December 1989 revolution.

Reprinted from Presbyterians Week

Christianity Explored (http://ChristianityExplored.org) is tool for churches that was originally intended for evangelism. By going through the Gospel of Mark, people interested in investigating the Bible and the Christian faith are exposed to Jesus and His teachings in an informal environment, usually following a meal and often conducted in a home or other informal setting. Covering 10 weeks which includes one “day away” or retreat to discuss such topics as the Bible, the Church, Prayer, and the Holy Spirit.

Developed and refined for over 10 years, Christianity Explored was developed in All Souls Church (AllSouls.org), London the Anglican parish formerly pastored by John Stott, the well known evangelical leader, writer, and preacher. Christianity Explored was not developed by Stott himself, but emerged from the reverent Christ centered, solidly biblical culture Stott built there under the leadership of Rico Tice. The program has been enhanced over the years to include the “relational elements” of being conducted over a meal.

The founders of Christianity Explored encourage groups of 6 to 9 to gather. After the meal and a brief discussion of the previous week’s lessons, participants hear a talk delivered in person or from a DVD on the current week’s theme. After that, Christianity Explored groups discuss any questions that arise in an informal way. It’s a very casual “non-churchy” setting that let’s people raise questions if they wish. Nobody is required to read, talk or pray aloud, though all may join the discussion if they wish. Churches using Christianity Explored have found it to be a very non-threatening way to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with friends and neighbors in a friendly setting.

Because the name Christianity Explored is associated with “Evangelism” it’s possible many churches are missing out on a variety of benefits that could be obtained by using this curriculum on a regular basis. Part of the reason for missing out on the benefits of “CE” relate to our own fears of evangelism and also because we fail to see how this program may be used to further other objectives of the church. Let’s discuss other potential uses of the Christianity Explored materials to see just how effective they may be for local church ministry.

1. Christianity Explored is a wonderful tool for people who think “We can’t do evangelism”. Usually that’s because people envision an “evangelist” as all knowing, fearless, Gospel sales person who won’t take “no” for an answer and keeps on until the “prey” capitulates in defeat. Of course that doesn’t mean the person has capitulated to Jesus Christ – only that they have said whatever they felt was necessary to “escape” from the “evangelistic encounter”. That is not how our Lord called people and that image of “evangelism” is itself a dreadful caricature of someone who is the Lord’s Messenger.

Christianity Explored allows people who never felt themselves to be “evangelists” to work in the Lord’s harvest field using their warmth, friendship, and ability to operate a DVD player to play a presentation (this is not true yet in all language versions but it is true in the English version). It’s not even necessary to have all the “right” answers!

One only needs to be willing to help connect people to God’s Word and trust the Holy Spirit to provide the answers people seek through God’s Word.

2. Christianity Explored is a wonderful tool for renewing the local congregation. Because Christianity Explored is connected with a meal it’s a wonderful relation building tool. Use it as a Biblical and – relational – refresher course to get people back into the scriptures and back together for the sake of God’s kingdom! The fact is that many professed Christians come to Christianity Explored groups because they want to get serious about their faith and Christianity Explored is a way for them to do that!

Along the way it also prepares them to help facilitate CE groups for others. When Christians are renewed in their understanding of Christ and the Good News, when they’re renewed in their connection to the congregation, and when they see how easily they can participate in the work of evangelism, that’s a positive recipe for strengthening and expanding the congregation. Create a special “small group” to test it. Or “Sunday School” classes may wish to use the materials for their own study.

3. Christianity Explored is an excellent basis for receiving “New Members” into the congregation. The expectations we convey to new church members will ultimately “make or break” the church. If a congregation uses a curriculum like Christianity Explored it is conveying to new members that the most important value of the congregation is to live by faith as a repentant disciple of Jesus Christ. Over time, as every member embraces that reality, the congregation as a whole takes on a new character and trajectory that is driven by Christ Himself instead of the other idols that tend to captivate the church. Some, upon learning of this requirement, may stop pursuing membership – so much the better! Even our Lord Himself saw many turn away when He called them to genuine faith and self-sacrifice! But no soldier enters the military without “Boot Camp” to learn the fundamentals of military life,not to mention ongoing drill… in the same way, no soldier of Christ should expect to live within the “Church Militant” without likewise having experienced a boot camp and ongoing training for Life in Christ. Christianity Explored should not be confused with a complete program of catechism… but such a program is FAR more than most congregations require. And to remind new members that Christians are continually required to study to “show themselves approved” (2 Timothy 2:15) as God’s worker – an excellent “graduation gift” for new members would, of course, be a copy of the catechism!

4. Christianity Explored is an excellent group activity for “Confirmation” or “Youth Camps”. Many youth (and adults) have less than flattering memories of “confirmation”. Start off your confirmation class with Christianity Explored to bond the group relationally, and unite them in their common appreciation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. One might do worse with a “confirmation class”! Once bonded through Christianity Explored, the “traditional” curriculum is more likely to be received with enthusiasm as well. Likewise, depending on the length of the camp, the CE curriculum might be incorporated in whole or in part as the basis of an intensive youth camp centered on the Gospel of Mark.

5. Christianity Explored is excellent preparation for short term mission trips. Requiring Christianity Explored as a prerequisite for a short term missions trip ensures that participants better embody what it means to be on the mission of Christ. Even when language barriers forbid preaching or even speaking the Good News by mission trip participants, being reminded of our Lord’s own self-sacrifice for the sake of the world can’t help but helpfully shape the character of mission trip participants to radiate Christ through their holy service, despite language barriers.

6. Christianity Explored is an excellent prerequisite for service on the consistory (or “session”). In the Protestant Church’s traditional understanding, the congregation’s “elder” approximates on the local level a serious Christian who is discerning and able to guide the people of God’s daily affairs with divine wisdom. In practice, many elders are selected not for their holy gravity but because of their availability or popularity. Many confuse their service as elders in Christ’s Church with the role of a “director” on some “corporate board”, not a spiritual ministry of service and watching over the flock. When the local congregation requires that potential elders at least have participated in Christianity Explored, that is a solid step forward in the direction of the church from quasi-business enterprise to kingdom outpost. (To be honest, elders should have participated in far more than CE and should be well instructed in the Scriptures and confessions of the church, but this would be a very good start.)

7. Christianity Explored may even help people who want to learn a new language. Depending on the setting, there are immigrants who wish to practice conversational English. In fact, Southern Baptists have regularly used the Gospel of Mark for “English as a Second Language” instruction – the same Bible book used in CE. Christianity Explored has “Easy English” versions, but even normal “CE” can be a setting where people have an opportunity to converse in English in an informal setting with native speakers. Because CE comes in a variety of translations, a participant could conceivably have a copy in English and in their native language to compare.

A current list of CE translations is available here: http://www.christianityexplored.org/news/62/christianity-explored-translations/

8. Christianity Explored helps identify and train future congregational leaders. Christianity Explored is simple. It does, however, take work, a degree of organization, and faithfulness to the spread of the Good News. Those who perform well in their work with CE will do well in other acts of service in Christ’s Church. But because advanced degree, profound theological knowledge, and sophisticated skills are NOT required to work in the Christianity Explored ministry, this allows people who might otherwise feel “disqualified” from serving Christ to test and prove for themselves the skills they possess for the kingdom of God. They may be pleasantly surprised and reveal their future usefulness! Suddenly “CE” allows even those who feel they cannot “teach” to find a place of useful service in ministry with the pastor, elders, and others.

9. Christianity Explored relieves pastors of many burdens. Sometimes we pastors believe we should do everything ourselves. After all, the “big” churches create their own curriculum… why shouldn’t we? When practical time constraints make this impossible, the guilt and sense of leaving necessary work going undone weighs down on the minister. Christianity Explored is a credible, proven tool that – as outlined above – can be used repeatedly in a variety of settings in the same congregation to make sure that the Good News of God in Jesus Christ flourishes in the congregation! Using it can relieve the pastor of many burdens whether they are realistically our burdens to bear or not.

Christianity Explored’s Availability

Christianity Explored is available in a Hungarian translation. At present, individuals residing in Hungary can purchase CE through the Hungarian Scripture Union website: http://www.suhungary.com/publications.htm

The Scripture Union in Hungary is headed by a Hungarian Reformed minister according to their website.

Christianity Explored in Hungarian is available to US, Canada, and UK from the UK branch of Good Book Company available here: www.thegoodbook.co.uk/hungarian

Note: The Hungarian version at present has no DVD set with recorded lessons, a local speaker must communicate the essence of the “talk”.

English versions of Christianity Explored are available in the US directly from The Good Book Company here: http://www.thegoodbook.com/christianity-explored

December 13, 2009

Dear Friends of Hungarian Missions!

Several people have recently asked me how I came to answer God’s call to this particular Mission and I would like to share my answer with all of you. I am a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Medical Director of a Clinical Pharmacology Center in the USA. After recently turning 40 years
old, I realized God was calling me to use the talents He gave me in a more expanded way – as a Medical Missionary someplace on our planet where the need is great. For guidance I spoke with my Mother, the Rev. Ilona Molnar Komjathy, who suggested that I speak with the Rev. Dr. Edwin Elliott and Beth Lantiga. These two individuals graciously made arrangements for my missionary work in the Ukraine. After the arrangements were in place and before I left for the city of Beregszasz in the Ukraine, I was officially commissioned to serve as a Medical Missionary by the First Hungarian
Reformed Church of Pittsburgh as well as the Bethlen Communities of Ligonier, Pa.

After my first two days in Beregszasz I knew I could not leave until I did all that I could to correct the health care conditions there – which currently are similar to the way things were in the USA 50 years ago.

Simple medical items that we doctors take for granted when treating patients in the USA are completely lacking in the Ukraine. Many easily treatable medical conditions go untreated in Beregszasz for lack of medicines, equipment and funding. My Reformed faith has taught me that all good things
come from God and that we as human beings are simply stewards of His gifts. God intends for us to use His gifts for His purpose. As a result, I felt moved to use my own funds to purchase basic supplies for the Clinic there – items such as stethoscopes, medications, catheters, IV tubing, X-ray film,
computers, as well as basic equipment such as a portable Ultrasound and portable ECG Machines. Additionally, I felt moved to use my own funds to complete a new Pediatric Clinic, a much-needed facility that is now a wonderful and well-used success.

At this point, my prayers are that God has moved others – individuals such as yourselves – to participate in the work of the Medical Mission in the Ukraine. The Mission desperately needs a CT Scanner. My prayers are that those who read this will hear God’s call to donate what they can, as any
amount large or small makes a big difference. Please support the Medical Mission in the Ukraine! With your help we can purchase a used (to keep the cost down) CT Scanner so that we can be even more effective in treating disease and saving lives in Beregszasz. Donations may be made by PayPal
through my website www.KomjathyNutriceuticals.com. Please go to the Help Us page. (And as a small incentive, if you donate $200 or $2000 US dollars you will receive an
antique golf ball from my collection.)

Or you may also send a check to the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Pittsburgh to the address above. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support. May God bless you for your kindness and generosity as you answer His call to help those in need!

Wishing you His peace and blessings – aldas, bekesseg,
Istvan F. Komjathy MD

Here is the 12/28 Update for downloadKomjathy Mission Update 12-28-09

Here are Christmas Prayers and readings to help you observe the Holiday Season!

Christmas Prayers & Readings

The Incarnate Word

December 18

God most high, your only-begotten Son embraced the weakness of our flesh to give us the power to become your sons and daughters; your Eternal Word chose to dwell among us so that we might live in your presence. Grant us a spirit of wisdom to comprehend the richness of the glory you have offered to us, and how great the hope is to which we are called in Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a or Proverbs 8:1 – 9:12 or Jeremiah 31: 7-14

Psalm 147

1 John 1: 1-10

John 1: 1-18

The Annunciation of Saint John the Forerunner

December 19

Father, according to your plan your prophet John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of your Son, the promised Messiah.  Through your Spirit free us from doubt and despair, and help us to imitate Zechariah and Elizabeth in following your will to the glory of your name.  We make our prayer through your Incarnate Word, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Isaiah 52: 7-10

Psalm 85

Revelation 11: 1-14

Luke 1: 5-25

The Annunciation of our Lord

to the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 20

God most high, you extended your gracious mercy to the whole human race through your Son when he took upon himself our flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. You gave him to the world as your servant, whose delight was found in doing your will. Keep the Church, his body, faithful to your purpose, that all the ends of the earth may know your saving power. Amen.

Exodus 40: 1-38 or Isaiah 7: 10-14

Psalm 40 or 45

Hebrews 10: 4-10 or Galatians 4: 4-7

Luke 1: 26-38

The Visitation of the

Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Elizabeth

December 21

Lord God, who are we that you should come to us? Yet you have visited your people and redeemed us through your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your Word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

1 Samuel 2: 1-10 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a or Zechariah 2: 10-13

Psalm 113

Romans 12: 9-16b

Luke 1: 39-57

The Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner

December 22

God of wisdom and truth, you raise up prophets in every age. Let your Spirit, who filled John from his mother’s womb, fill us with joy as we commemorate his birth. May the example of his life, the urgency of his preaching, and the power of his prayers make us ready to receive the one he announced. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Isaiah 40: 1-11

Psalm 141

Acts 13: 14b-26

Luke 1: 57-80

The Ancestors of our Lord

December 23

God of glory and mystery, here in our midst you disclose the secret hidden for countless generations. For you we wait; for you we listen. Upon hearing your voice, fill us with a spirit that is willing to follow and to embrace your will so that we may rejoice in your visitation and exalt in our redemption. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Genesis 4: 1-16

Psalm 90

Hebrews 11:1 – 12:2

Matthew 1: 1-17 or Luke 3: 23b-38

The Annunciation of our Lord to Saint Joseph

December 24

Eternal God, in the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, and in the dream of Joseph your promise is spoken. At last, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, your Word takes flesh. Teach us to welcome Jesus, the promised Emmanuel, and to preach the good news of his coming that every age may know him as the source of salvation, redemption, and grace. We make our prayer through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, your Son, our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Micah 5: 2-5a

Psalm 89

Romans 4: 13-18

Matthew 1: 18-24

The Nativity of our Lord

December 25

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon himself, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Or:

God of Abraham and Sarah, of David and his descendants, unwearied is your love for us and steadfast is your covenant; wonderful beyond words is the gift of the Savior, born of the Virgin Mary. Count us among the people in whom you delight, and by this night’s marriage of heaven and earth draw all generations into the embrace of your love. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns in the splendor of eternal light with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ICEL)

Genesis 2: 4b-3:24 or Isaiah 9: 2-7

Psalm 96

Hebrews 1: 1-14 or Titus 2: 11-14

Luke 2: 1-15

They leave their homelands and come to Hungary fleeing war, famine, poverty and political and religious persecution. Refugees from more than 50 countries choose Hungary because it is easier to get a visa there than in other European countries.

But the situation they encounter upon arrival is not easy.

Learning the new language is difficult. Finding work is nearly impossible — they are the last hired and the first fired. And in the last decade their adopted country has gone from being the strongest Central European economy to the wPSeakest…

Read the article at PCUSA.org

You may now download the 2009 Advent & Christmas E-Church Visitor.

At 5:11 this evening a great man passed from death into life. My father’s 62 years of patient suffering have ended, and he is now beginning his real story. He left behind an enormous legacy measured in the lives of those brothers and sisters in Christ who were touched by his merciful ministry and won by his changeless devotion to the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is a new doorkeeper in the House of Our God tonight.

In celebration,
Izzi Elliott
(Dr. Elliott’s daughter)

Kedves Testverek,
Csatolva kuldom Gyulekezetunk elektronikus hirlevelenek legutobbi szamat. Legyen Isten aldasa az olvasoin!

Dear Friends,
Attached I am sending to you the latest issue of our electronic newsletter. May God`s abundant blessing be upon its readers!

Zoltán S. Kelemen

1463 Waterbury Road
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Cellular: 216. 403-1031

2009 Reformation Church Visitor