CHURCH UNION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23800, 20 November 1942, Page 6

CHURCH UNION

♦ METHODISTS’ ATTITUDE AFFIRMATION OF PRINCIPLE The question of union with the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches was discussed at yesterday’s concluding session of the North Canterbury Methodist District Synod in Christchurch. It was decided on the motion of the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt that "this Synod recognises that the vote of the quarterly meetings throughout the Dominion indicates that the basis of union was not acceptable to our people who generally felt that it did not adequately safeguard some precious elements in our spiritual inheritance and sufficiently conserve some valuable features of our Connexional system.” The Synod, nevertheless, rejoiced in the general adherence to the principle of union, on condition that a basis could be formulated that would be satisfactory to all parties in relation to both doctrine and polity. It was recommended that a representative Dominion Committee should be appointed to continue negotiations. It was suggested, further, that the committee give careful consideration to the principle adopted in Canada whereby the churches entering into union could 'continue the organisation and practices enjoyed by them at the time of union. Another recommendation was that every effort should be made to foster fraternal relations among the ministers and people of the negotiating churches in order to find some effective means for co-operation and joint action in all matters in which the churches could make common cause. A vote by Synod members resulted as follows:—For the basis of union, 3; for union on an amended basis, 47; against the basis of union, 22. OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND METHODISTS PROPOSAL NOT FAVOURED (P.S.S.) DUNEDIN. November 19, The annual Synod of the Methodist Church of Otago and Southland to-day rejected by an overwhelming majority the proposed basis of union among the Congregational. Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches. There was little discussion on the subject, the general opinion being that the proposed basis favoured only one side. Forty members voted against the Proposal, eight approved of the suggestion. with amendments, and one member voted for the proposal as it was presented to the Synod, Upon the rejection of the scheme the following resolution " as adopted, with one dissentient; "That this Synod, while disapproving of the proposed basis of union, reaffirms its belief in the principle and desirability of umnn. and heartily recommends that the negotiations between the consultative bodies be continued with a view to ultimate union.” The following resolution was also adopted: “That this Synod urges the conference to seer: the immediate establishment of a federal council of Protestant Churches, which shall exist to promote mutual understanding and foster a spirit of unity among all Churches participating, and shall, as the first task, institute a Dominionwide survey of religious conditions in every district, advise in regard to local adjustment and voluntary withdrawal in over-churched areas, formulate a policy respecting developmental work in under-churched areas, and give consideration to unity of youth directorates of any participating churches, with a view to cultivating a spirit of union in the rising generation.”