BAPTIST UNION

Evening Star, Issue 22780, 15 October 1937, Page 15

BAPTIST UNION

SMALL DECLINE OF MEMBERSHIP NI6HEST GIVING ON RECORD [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, October 14. A decline of 40 in church membership during the year was noted in the annual report of the Baptist Union of New Zealand to-day. The membership at the end of August this year was '8,983, compared with 9,023 at the same date last year, stated the report. Baptisms during tho year also declined, the total being 392. The council urged every minister and member to see if some campaign could not be entered on to regain the lost ground and to make a definite advance. A committee had been set. up to go into church membership, said Mr E. M‘Gregor (Morrinsville), in moving the adoption of the report. Mr J. Jackson Purdie (Dunedin) said that the decrease in numbers was disquieting, but it had to be remembered that there had been a severe • purging of the rolls in several churches. Although the numbers had declined, the giving was the highest on record. Mr H. P. Desmoulins (Dunedin) suggested that more useful information ter the assembly would be provided if a record of the average church attendant in addition to the roll number was provided in the annual reports. The secretary’s report stated that there were credit balances in all accounts, except that of the Missionary Society, and even there the figures were the best for seven years. The response to the self-denial and thanksgiving offering had been £3,318. The trustees and members of the Auckland Tabernacle were thanked for their gift of £1.150 for various denominational funds. A record number of young men were applying for admission to .the Baptist Theological College. The report of the Auckland Auxiliary stated that the year concluded witha credit balance of £39. . The social service branch, with an income during the year of £254, had distributed large quantities of clothing and supplies. The central auxiliary reported that the bank overdraft had been reduced. Tho Home Mission Committee had been active, as had the Foreign Missionary Committee. The Canterbury Auxiliary reported increases in baptisms and church memberships. The self-denial appeal had produced £IOO more than last year. The Otago and Southland auxiliary reported a successful year, although the membership figures were disappointing. The Finance Committee’s report showed that the year had begun with a deficit in the general account of £487 13$ lid. The total expenditure had been £1,436 8s Bd, and the income for the year had been £1,952 3s, leaving a credit balance of £2B Os sd, Speaking to the report of the Finance Committee, the Rev. M. W, P. Lascelles, general secretary and treasurer, reported that the total amount of the union funds which had passed through his hands in the year was £19,923. The combined balance sheet showed ihe total liabilities of the union to be £53,366, balanced by assets. The Auckland Tabernacle had given £1,150 to various union accounts. The Women’s Missionary Union had contributed £1,912, the Young Women’s Bible Class Union £7Bl, and the Young Men’s Bible Class Union £455. The self-denial fund had yielded £3,318. .Mr Lascelles was complimented on his efficient handling of the union’s finances during the year. The work and finances of the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Bible Class movements were also discussed. The treasurers’ reports were respectively presented by Mr J. D. Collins and Miss M. Hunt.