BAPTIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 23100, 28 October 1938, Page 16

BAPTIST CONFERENCE

CHURCH IN CHANGING WORLD CAUGHT IN MECHANICAL AGE ‘ The Christian in a Changing World ’ was the subject of an address given by the Rev. P. L. A. Crompton, B.A. (Remuera), at the evening session, of the Baptist Conference in Wellington on Thursday night. “We are living tn-day in a world of increasing complexity and tragic need,” he said, “ a world which is compelling rather than inviting the allegiance of men. Dictators and totalitarian States are laying hold of the nations and regimenting youth for aggressive nationalism or for class conflict. Individual liberties are being denied. The heritage of religious freedom and liberty of conscience for which our Baptist forebears lived and died is being ruthlessly assailed.

“ 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 production of a mechanical age must be reminded that there can be no mass production of 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 iprogress is appallingly slow. By the method of one man ministries and a silent membership, 7,500 members have gained annually just over 400 members. In other words it takes 18 members a whole year to add one new member to the church. Can we be satisfied with his? Are we so concerned with machinery that we miss men?

“ The world appears to many to he heading for ruin; but we believe the Gospel of Christ, and only that can save it. Men must be recaptured 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. ‘Go ye and make disciples of all nations ’ is a command for every Christian. Contacts can be 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 members 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 experience, 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? ’ ”

DOMESTIC BUSINESS (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 27. Domestic business occupied the greater part of the sessions in Wellington of the annual New Zealand Baptist Assembly to-day. The following six new churches were formally received into the union:—Te Awamutu (Auckland) ; Miramar (Wellington), Lyttelton Street (Christchurch), Sunshine and Green Island Churches (Dunedin), Georgetown (Southland). The Finance Committee’s annual report showed contributions to the church funds, including the following:—Auckland Tabernacle Buildings Trust. £l,200; Baptist Women’s Missionary Union, £1.995; Young Women’s Bible Class Union, £826 4s 4d: Ymmg Men’s Bible Class Movement £394 2s 7d; selfdenial appeal, £3.716 Is lOd. The report stated that during the year £3,350 had been invested in Government and local body debentures, and £IOO on mortgage. The total cash receipts for all branches of work for the year amounted to £17.395 12s 4d. On the recommendation of the principal of the Bamtist College, the Rev. ,T. J. North. D.D.. ministerial recognition was accorded by the union to the following ministers who have passed their probationary period • —Rev. D. G. M'Kee. B.A. (PetoneL Rev, J. Avson Clifford, M.Se. (Karnri), Rev. E. P. Y. Simpson (Mosgiel, Otago). To-nigbt’s session was devoted to matters connected with the Baptist College. The dedication of two outgoing students of the college—Messrs B. E. Carlisle ('Wellington') end G. T. Beilby, M.A. (Hastings) took place.