Profile in Mission: Bertalan Tamas
Ministry
Church Revitalization
Location
Budapest, Hungary
Partner
Reformed Church in Hungary
What Need Is God Showing Us?
During the communist era churches in Hungary were severely limited in scope of ministry--most worked only inside their own buildings. The country gained freedom from communism in 1990, but churches are still learning how to look beyond their walls to minister to the communities outside.
What Is God Telling Us to Do?
New generations of church leadership have little to no experience with mission in the church. "We have to redevelop a theology of mission appropriate for this point in history," says Bertalan (Berti) Tamas, an ecumenical officer for the Reformed Church in Hungary. "We need to discover new ways of expressing mission."
How Are We Doing What God Is Asking?
Strengthening the partnership between the RCA and the Reformed Church in Hungary will allow both churches to learn from each other's experience. Berti Tamas will facilitate the relationship between the denominations and work to revitalize Hungarian congregations through a new emphasis on mission. "Local congregations will be revitalized as they claim their identity as God's people sent on a mission to their communities and beyond," Berti says. "To do this effectively they will need the support of the larger church."
Who Is Our Partner?
The Reformed Church in Hungary was founded in 1567 during the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation and now includes 21 percent of the country's population. It is one of the largest Reformed communions in the world. Free of the oppression of the communist era, the current generation of Hungarian church leaders is working to establish a new identity for a church that formerly witnessed in the shadow of the Iron Curtain.
Up Close and Personal
Berti Tamas has worked as an ecumenical officer for the Reformed Church in Hungary for thirty years, helping to cultivate links to 25 partner churches. He has also served several congregations as pastor. Berti trained at Budapest Theological Seminary in Budapest, Hungary, and at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He enjoys reading, gardening, swimming, and traveling. He is married to Erzebet and they have a daughter, Anna.
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