More, But Not Enough, Recruits For Ministry

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28567, 22 April 1958, Page 14

More, But Not Enough, Recruits For Ministry

(New Zeaiana Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 21. During the last two or three years, more and more young people in New Zealand had been coming forward for Holy Orders. But leaders of the principal denominations interviewed in Wellington today said that numbers, though increased, were not sufficient to cope with population and congregation growth. The Bishop of Wellington (the Rt. Rev. E. J. Rich) said numbers of applicants were growing. The Rev. G. E. Dallard, of the Presbyterian Church, said the numbers of his church’s theological students wert much larger than a year or so ago. An emergency scheme for older entrants to the ministry was in operation. The Vicar General of the Catholic Church (Monseigneur A. J. Mcßae) said no-one was being turned away from the priesthood.

There were many more younger applicants needed but his church had kept some sort of pace with population growth. The Wesley Church had expected a “distinct swing back,” said the Rev. R. Thornleigh: the church was now training its largest group of applicants to the ministry for many years.

The Congregational Church also reported larger entries of students for the ministry. The travelling commissioner of the Salvation Army, Commissioner Herbert Lord, at present leading the Salvationists’ 75 th anniversary in New Zealand at Wellington, spoke during the congress here of his pleasure at the number of young people coming forward to be trained as officers.

In many cases, however, churches find accommodation to house new students a major problem.