STIPEND FUND

Franklin Times, Volume XXX, Issue 89, 13 August 1941, Page 2

STIPEND FUND

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CAMPAIGN ABOUT TO END ' ENCOURAGING RESULTS Mr .1. B. McKinney, of Bombay, has returned from a four months’ tour of the Dominion in association with the Rev. T. W. Armour, of Christchurch. The itinerary was undertaken as part of a campaign of education being .carried on by the Laymen’s Executive-..0f the Maintenance of the Ministry Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly. The Rev. Armour, as convener of the committee, presented to the a report which came as a shock to the church. Based on .indisputable official figures, and certified to by Professor A. H. Tocker. a leading economist. I lie position relating to stipends was shown to be so serious that the Assembly decided upon immediate action. Compared with JO years ago, if the increased -cost of living was added, the minimum today slfbuld be E3GO instead of £2BO. A very strong representative, committee of laymen was set up with the objective of raising the minimum stipend for this year to £330 for ministers, £220 for married Home Missionaries arid £IOO for unmarried Horne Missionaries. I his does not include the children’s allowance which is available for Home Missionaries.

Rev. Armour’s Mission

The Rev. Armour was requested to secure leave from his congregation for six months, and to address meetings of lavmen throughout the church. This lie did. and laymen everywhere have not only listened with Hie keenest interest to his able message, hut they have' responded in organising themselves into committees lo fulfil the urgent request of the Assembly. Mr Armour’s main contention is that I lie work of the ministry is the most important and the most difhcult task in tlie community, if it is properly performed. That is why the Presbyterian Church fathers set for it a higher standard of training than for any other profession. It is surely equally essential. he urged, to provide conditions nf efficiency so that a Minister can fulfil Hie duties of his calling free from miv embarrassing circumstances. One increasing call on his resources is the maintenance of a suitable library, to oj V r him access to the host thought of past and present thinkers. Mr .McKinney has accompanied Mr Armour throughout, presenting the case from the laymen’s standpoint. No difficulty lias been experienced in selling up a strong organisation, and several Presbyteries have already recorded the decision to increase the stipends in a large majority of congregations within their hounds. The Rev. Armour and Mr H. B. VVest of Dunedin, are .at present visiting Central Otago Presbytery, which will complete the Dominion lour.