The pastor and the presbyter as collaborators

The topic of the conference in commune Bihar, organised by the Foundation Studium Academicum in collaboration with Foundation Fundament, was “The pastor and the presbyter as collaborators”. The announced conference was attended by about 30 participants.  

After the devotion of the hospitable pastors - Csernák Béla - and the ideas awaked introduction worlds of Japp Doedensnek and Frans Caannak, the two co-workers of the Holland foundation, the discussion of the raised questions was continued in three workshops. 

After one hour talking one delegate of each group has reported the results of discussion. The reports has detected that they are still many difficulties in the collaboration between pastor and presbyters. The mutual confidence, the wish of thinking together, is keeping us in many places waiting.

The insufficient knowledge of the presbyters about its duties, as well as the wilful style of leading of the pastors is causing many conflicts. This regarding was formulated in some of the speeches the necessity of the presbyters education, as well as the finding of such actions where the pastor and presbyters can honest consult about the resolution of the common problems.   

The coffee break assured the possibility to share the opinions, or even to confront them.

We could listen to rev. Visky Péter in the church room “Bark” where he presented how could they advance in some questions in his congregation. His opinion is also that is not easy to find co-workers, or presbyters for serving. It needs many patience, and much more pray. As blessing of it were constituted those co-workers groups, which executing their work in different areas, and their activity it has just to be supervised.

His summary raised more questions within the audience. This were mostly about the preconditions and material instruments, which are absolutely indispensable for an efficient work. In Visky Péter’s opinion all that could be procured through the willingness of the local congregation.   

In the reformed church of Bihar we could get know the past and the present of the congregation. This half hour break was enough for the woman alliance to dish up in the “Bark” (church room) the corporal food which has completed the spiritual reload.

The members of the two foundations were breaking up with the expressed wish to organise similar seminaries also in the future.