DUTY OF CONGREGATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1933, Page 4

DUTY OF CONGREGATIONS.

COMMENT BY BISHOP,

STRATFORD, Sept. 3. Speaking at the induction of the vicar, Rev. K. J. McFarland, formerly of Palmerston North, Bishop Clrerrington said his ideal of a Christian congregation in the twentieth century was where a parish the size of Stratford could get along without a stipendiary vicar. It was time, he said, that Christian men and women could get along without paid clergy in every Christian congregation. Their laymen were capable of reading the lessons, carrying out church work, and generally keeping the church flag flying. They were ready to do it without money. Surely there were enough Christian parents who would be glad to take service and help in bringing up children in the Christian faith. The money thus saved could be used for missions. He looked forward to such a state of affairs, which he deemed was not impossible. The Bishop deplored the state of divorce between the clergy and the laity. In Taranaki he thought it was not so accentuated now as it was. They depended on the clergy a great deal too much. It was their business as members of a congregation to help the minister. The clergy could do much better if they knew the congregation were helping with their prayers. Without prayer and sympathy the clergy could not be expected to succeed as they ought.