TASK FOR CHRISTIANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 14

TASK FOR CHRISTIANS

SAVING THE WORLD

DUTY OF CHURCH

NEW EMPHASIS NEEDED

The task ahead of the Christian Church in a world which to many appears to be heading for ruin was discussed by the Rev P. L. A. Crampton, B.A. (Remuera). in an address delivered to the annual assembly of the Baptist Union yesterday. Speaking on the subject, "The Christian in a Changing World,' Mr. Crampton said that they were living today in a world of increasing complexity and tragic need, a world which was compelling rather than inviting the allegiance of men. Dictators and totalitarian States we' laying hold of the nations and regimenting youth for aggressive nationalism or for class conflict. Individual liberties were being denied. The heritage of religious freedom and liberty of conscience for which their Baptist forbears had lived and died was being ruthlessly assailed.

j "There is a call to stress again the ( individual and personal nature of religion," said Mr. Crampton, "A church caught in the machinery and mass pro-i duction of a mechanical age must be reminded that there can be no mass px-oduction oi the New Birth; that to win the world she must touch individual lives and bring them into right relationship with God and with their fellow-men. The statistics of the church show that progress is appallingly slow. By the method of oneman ministries and a silent membership 7500 members have^ gained annually just over 400 members. In other words it t^kes 18 members a whole year to add one new member to the Church. Can we be satisfied with this? Are we so concerned with machinery that we miss men? INDIVIDUAL WITNESS. "The world appears to ma.iy to be heading for ruin; but we believe the Gospel of Christ, and only that can save it. Men must be captured for the Kingdom of God. That is the task of the united forces of the Christian Church and particularly of every individual member of the Church. "Because of the complexity of modern life and the multiplicity of organisations and appeals, because of the failure of the Church to touch the individual and social needs of the community the outsider stays outside the Church. The Church must, therefore, [take the Message of Christ to him. Mass methods must be reinforced by individual witness. 'Qo ye and make disciples of all nations' is a command for every - Christian. Contacts can oe made in business and home life Which cannot be made in the Church. "In order to have this personal work undertaken there must be a reorientation of the Church's method and, a new emphasis in her teaching. The Church must educate her menfbers as to their responsibilities and train them for this work. Individual ..work is not solitary work. '/Therefore groups should be formed to study methods, to share experiences, and to pray together. This will be a programme not for a month or even a year, but until personal evangelism has got into the life of the Church, so that she may touch the masses outside and through them change the community and win the world for Christ. ' The • Church must 'catch the vision of an urgent task to (save this generation from ruin. 'Christ is counting on us. If we fail Him, what then?'"