LAYMEN AND THE CHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25679, 16 December 1948, Page 6

LAYMEN AND THE CHURCH

PRIMATE URGES NEW RESPONSIBILITY The Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop West-Watson) yesterday ex* pressed a personal conviction (supported by findings of the Lambeth Conference and Amsterdam Assembly) that the progress of the church would depend on virile action by laymen. He was addressing the Christchurch Church of England Men’s Society. Millions of people in the world today did not think God was necessary in their* scheme of life and doubted the spiritual nature of man and his survival value, he said. They could see little difference between the conscientious church member and the decent fellow outside who followed closely Christian standards. It should, by now, be apparent to all that discarding Christianity meant loss of personal respect and respect for others, leading to disturbing carelessness and sometimes appalling cruelty. The rocks were not seen at full tide; but they appeared during the ebb. There were too many waiting for the obsequies of the Christian faith and doing nothing to support it. Throughout the world there were demands for security and for the recognition of human rights—too often with disregard for personal responsibilities, Archbishop West-Watson said. Security tended to encourage easy living and a deterioration in stamina. At Lambeth and Amsterdam it was agreed that the cutting edge of the church to-day must be the laymen In their businesses they must demonstrate the Christian principles on which the younger people could rally. They must have regard for the welfare of their neighbours at home, at work, and at play. Many church people to-day just did not care whether they ever got to know their fellow men. By doing things together they would learn to know them, to help them, and to appreciate them. In this way loyalties would be strengthened. All the churches were concerned that of those nominally associated with different churches under the census, such a relatively small proportion was actively engaged in active constructive Christian work.