A Christian Mission In An Industrial Society

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 4

A Christian Mission In An Industrial Society

The Christian Witness in an Industrial Society. By Horst Symanowski. Collins. 160 pp.

What is the relevance of the Christian Church in the modern world? This question is exercising many minds today, from the serious discussions of the Vatican Council to the protestations of the Beatles in retreat, forced by protest to admit that “there are lots of things so right about Christianity.” The question itself is of course of the utmost importance both for the Church and the modern world. It must concern all Christians who are serious about their call to make the Gospel message effective and alive today. In our complex, changing situation the Churches are being challenged to speak and act in a way that has meaning in these times. It is a measure of the vitality of the Christian Churches that they are seeking and finding new ways of contact with the contemporary world.

This book tells of the experiments of a Christian mission which is making a fruitful contact in the industrial society of West Germany. Horst Symanowski, a minister of the Confessing Church, describes this experience and the reasons that motivated the methods that were introduced. He speaks with authority as one involved in the reality of this situation at first hand, both as a worker and a Christian minister. His book is not a statement of theory, although his efforts at adaptation come not only, from living in the midst of industrial society, but also from long reflection on the meaning of the Church’s mission to the world. As a result there is a satisfying account of the theological motives that inspired his methods. For Symanowski the estrangement of the Church from the secular world, especially from the world of industry and technology, is a

challenge to a genuine renewal of the Church. It is not a matter of “churchifying” the modern world or of “modernising” the Church. Rather the Church must rediscover the essential meaning of the mission given to her by the Lord of serving the world. The Church must be the servant witness to the Lord in the contemporary situation. This means a continuing dialogue with modern man. It means putting aside outmoded patterns that hinder this witness and service. If the Church is to be faithful to its mission from the Lord of healing and saving the world, it must make meaningful changes of method which show true concern for human welfare. “The witness that Jesus Christ is risen and is the Lord of the world must confront secular men in our time in the form of sacrificial service for their sake.” The: Christian must recognise the Lord present and active in secular society and support every movement for human progress. It must serve the world, not only in ways that are already being done, such as the care of the aged and sick, but by becoming involved in the great issues that trouble man today—war and peace, social and racial justice, world hunger. The modern Christian must see his commitment to Christ in terms of' service to his fellows, sustained by the hope and power of Christ’s victory. Readers may consider that aspects of life in the highly developed industrial complex of a German city are in many ways different from our own situation. Yet the principles which guided Symanowski in making his adaptations of : missionary activity cannot fail Ito instruct and inspire a i Christian who wishes to be a ! credible witness to Christ. For this reason the book has i importance and Christians, (both clergy and laity, will find in it much that will assist ! them to meet the challenge of I the times.