SHORTAGE OF MINISTERS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25328, 30 October 1947, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF MINISTERS

WORK IN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

While the number of people in New Zealand under the pastoral care. of Presbyterian ministers had increased since 1930 by 32 per cent., the number of ministers had actually decreased by 6 per cent., ssid the Rev. L. G. Geering, presenting the report of the statistics ’ committee at last evening’s session of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Christchurch. Mr Geering showed by means of graphs that the number of people who attended church had remained almost stationary for about 25 years. The Church throughout New Zealand needed about 40 more ministers. Besides that, there were now about <0 vacant charges. It was fair to assume that, in ordinary circumstances, about 15 new ministers were required by the Church each year. Allowing for all factors, Mr Geering estimated the shortage of ministers in 1948 at 81, at 78 in 1949, and at 83 in 1950. Dr. J. D. Salmond referred to the increased number of young people requiring the attention of the Church. Increased numbers of children were especially noticeable in new housing areas, and the birth-rate for the whole country had been higher last year than for a considerable period. Was it possible, he asked, that the family pattern was changing, and that bigger families would become the rule? When the family became the basic social fact, then it was a sign of social health. He Wondered if the Church was entering a period when the family would occupy a more important place in it. The Rev., F. W. Winton said new ministers could not be produced in a day: it took seven years- to train each man. Unless the Church utilised its resources of laymen, it was going to fail lamentably.