CHRISTIAN FAITH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 18, 21 July 1939, Page 5

CHRISTIAN FAITH

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

BUT GROWING INTEREST

DIPLOMA COURSE

In supporting a proposal for the establishment of a diploma in theology in the interests of the youth of the diocese in particular, and generally for the benefit of others who wish to have a better understanding of the Faith, the Yen. Archdeacon J. R. Young, at the meeting of the Wellington Anglican Diocesan Synod yesterday afternoon, referred to the existence in the community of a widespread lack of knowledge of Christian essentials/ At the same time there was a large and growing desire for a more complete knowledge of the facts and a finer and better understanding of the Faith.

Archdeacon Young said that the object of the Diocesan Youth Council was twofold, first, the co-ordination of { the youth work in the diocese, and, second, to consider and promote ways and means by which the Christian message might effectively be brought before the youth of the community. He was very far from being satisfied with the effectiveness of the Youth Council. He thought there must be some body of representative people who had the affairs of the Church work among the youth really in mind and in purpose. Otherwise amongst the multifarious duties falling to the lot of the clergy in the different parishes there was no one to give attention to this very important branch of the Church's work. He commended the work of the Youth Council and its objects, ideals, and purposes very heartily to Synod. DIPLOMA SCHEME. After the passing of a motion moved by him, appointing the personnel of the Youth Council for the year, Archdeacon Young moved a second resolution as follows:—"That Synod commends the suggested scheme for a diploma in theology to the attention and co-operation of the clergy and of Bible class leaders and Sunday school teachers (both present and prospective) and to all those who wish to have a better understanding of the Faith." The Archdeacon said that the Youth Council had been trying for a long time to pull into effect the suggestion which had come from several sources at once. The Young Men's Bible Class Union passed a resolution advocating the establishment of some course in theology for which the diploma would be awarded to fit the Bible class leaders more fully for their work and also to enable those coming along through the Bible classes to prepare themselves for leadership in the days to come. That idea also had the very sincere support of the Young Women's Bible Class Union: the Diocesan Sunday School Association also was keenly interested in some such scheme for Sunday school teachers. Archdeacon Young referred to the introduction of a scheme to meet these needs in Christchurch. There a diploma course had been worked out, and it was promoted by lectures given in Christchurch to the city Sunday school teachers and Bible class leaders, and also by correspondence for the benefit of those interested in the country. It had been found that not only the teachers and leaders, but also a good many members of the congregations had felt that this met a need in. their particular lives. Particulars had been obtained of the Christchurch scheme, and then, during this year, they had had the opportunity of enlisting the help of Miss Hawtrey, an expert in religious education and one who, it was hoped, would take hold of this whole matter and promote the scheme. A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. Dealing with the question of the necessity of establishing such a course, the Archdeacon said he supposed members of Synod were as conscious as he was of the widespread lack of knowledge of Christian essentials both among members of congregations and, a fortiori, among the general public —those who were unattached or very loosely attached to any Christian body. Synod also, no doubt, would be aware of the large and growing desire for a more complete knowledge of the facts and a finer and better understanding of the Faith. Good, keen young people were attending the Bible classes who felt the responsibility laid upon them of undertaking the work of leadership.