Churches Face Internal Revolution'

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31304, 25 February 1967, Page 5

Churches Face Internal Revolution'

WHATEVER is happening to the Church ? Once the most stable and unchanging institution in society, it is currently going through a massive world-wide revolution the implications of which are only barely visible.

Popular writers have concentrated on isolated aspects of thia change, but we should try to get an over-all picture to see the significance of the drift. Of the many features, three seem of special importance: the ecunemieal movement; changes in belief; and the new social pattern. Arguments which last century characterised the life of separate denominations are rapidly becoming an heirloom. In New Zealand five churches seek church union and this move is characteristic of every other nation in the Western world. Even those denominations which have not been caught up in actual negotiations have usually linked with councils of churches or fraternal bodies which seek to unite rather than fragment their followers. With an altered climate of understanding, Christians have tended to emphasise action rather than doctrine. In new housing areas as in city parishes, unity has led to combined services, census taking or community projects. The earlier disputes over ministry’, baptism and com-

munion have given way to the more pragmatic approach which says: “Let’s get on with the job.” Increasingly the preacher avoids the distinctive features of his own denomination and concentrates instead on the social issues of the day. State Of Flux Educational standards have increased sharply in the last 20 years, and the number of persons with a good education has greatly multiplied. Since all the disciplines are in a state of flux, fresh theories continually emerge and yesterday’s certainty becomes the next day’s myth. Theology, the queen of the sciences, which once seemed so permanent, has also undergone a transformation. Not many of our younger theologians have gone as far as Americans with their “death of God” debate, but in New Zealand there is still plenty of vigour about the resurrection dispute which began in the Presbyterian Church and spilled over into the conferences and sermons of many other denominations.

The place and authority of the Bible is also a focal point for many of the deepest differences.

In the field of ethics, psychology and educational theory have a profound effect Aspects of the new morality are quoted in many church meetings, and sexual standards are undergoing a quiet revolution.

New Zealand attitudes to

drinking provide the most startling examples of this new attitude. Many have been surprised to hear some of the more staid churches advocating longer hotel hours and better drinking facilities as a contribution to stemming the mounting Incidence of alcoholism. Social Pressure The final contributing factor has been the accelerated pace of change. New technological and scientific advances are scattering our former patterns of behaviour to the winds.

Television keeps people at home—and away from the churches.

Young people surrounded by

all the trimmings of an affluent society are revolting against youth clubs, Bible classes and the uniformed brigade and scout groups. Dwindling evening services and lack of support for traditional programmes have made the church seek for new forms of witness with desperation, and Increasingly sociologists and public relations men are brought in to bolster up a fading image. At the same time, many «- $

periments with worship, special ministries and community programmes provide exciting new possibilities, and for every story of a failure there are as many of success. There are those who welcome this new mood, and it is probable that the mana of the church has never been higher with educated persons, with political leaders and with those of revolutionary temperament. Did Not Change 1 For many church people, however, the trend is viewed with considerable alarm. From childhood they have learned to lean on the church as the only solid and unchanging thing in their life, for have not the hymns taught them: “Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou Who changest not, abide with me.” The dilemma of these people gives rise to the growth of those churches which are known together as “conservative evangelicals.” These comprise all of the newer sects, a few of the smaller established churches and scattered congregations within all denominations. These churches have in common a simple, conservative message which is usually preached with great power and conviction. Their increase is one of the most interesting phenomena of the contemporary church, since their growth is often at the expense of the longer established churches.

Many brave attempts are being made to reconcile the differences between the two bodies, and in New Zealand at least such efforts are moderately successful. Not Complete Standing like a great enigma in this picture is the great Roman Catholic Church. Numerically the strongest of all the divisions of Christendom she has long resisted change of any kind, and her clergy have always been better known as pastors or priests than as prophets or reformers. It is premature and naive to contemplate any immediate union between the church of Rome and any other branches of the church, but such is the change in climate that one would be foolish to predict what might happen by the end of the present century. Affects All Our grandparents would he at a loss to understand the * growing pains of the church in our age, and any predictions about the next generation must take into account the rapid rate of change which affects us aU. No simple conclusion is possible. Yet it seems reasonable to assume that all this ferment will eventually run its course and a new church will emerge—a church more relevant to the structures and changes of contemporary society.

Thia article has been specially written for “The Press” by the Rev. R. M. O’GRADY, the assistant general secretary of the National Council of Churches in New Zealand.