NEW CLERGY PAPER

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32775, 27 November 1971, Page 21

NEW CLERGY PAPER

The first issue of “Ministry Now,” a national paper to help Anglican clergy in the church situation, has been published.

The editor of the four-page tabloid, the Rev. J. H. Williamson, the chaplain at Christchurch College, said that the paper was not set up to compete with the Anglican paper "Church and People.” “Ministry Now” would not deal with theological issues; it was to run articles sharing practical experiences in ministry, he said. The ideas which had the most effect on the ministry were not those decisions passed by church assemblies, but those which individual clergy were experimenting with. By sharing a significant detail, one minister might give another a breakthrough, he said.

The paper did not come into being because someone on top thought it might be good for the clergy, said Mr Williamson. The suggestion

came from the clergy themselves, originally from the first in-service training consultation for the clergy of New Zealand, which referred the matter to the Provincial Council for the Ministry. The life of the publication depended on contributions from clergy. If none came, the paper would not have a second issue, and the issue would not be printed until enough material came in. This meant that publication would be irregular, and the number of papers printed each year would vary. The committee managing the paper hoped to establish a stable production of about 5 issues each year. The first issue of “Ministry Now” had been sent to all clergy for their consideration and, hopefully, their subscription, said Mr Williamson. Although the publication of such a practical paper had been approved two years ago, “Ministry Now” had taken a while to appear in print. Delays had been caused by its handling in committee.