PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 9 November 1934, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

REPORTS ON WORK

Per Press Association

DUNEDIN, Nov. 8. In the business session of the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day, Rev. J. D. Smith spoke of the strong desire on the part of many for a brief, clear statement of the Church’s faith. It was decided to send a draft statement by the Church of Scotland to Presbyteries for criticism and suggestion. The general treasurer stated that the financial position of the Church had greatly improved. The huge deficit of 1932 had been reduced to £3OOO. Members of the Church must be informed of the work being done. He urged that the Church must face increasing budgets owing to reduced interest on investments and the present high exchange. Exchange had cost the Church £3OOO. The treasurer regretted that so many congregations were careless about paying Assembly assessments. There was a long discussion on the Advisory Board report. It was finally decided to pay the travelling expenses of delegates in full, and that the board remain as a present. It was decided that the grants to weak charges be on an anuuaiiy reducing basis, and to direct Presbyteries to press for amalgamation of charges where possible. Rev. Henry Barton presented a report on ministerial tenure and translerence. He said the present system resulted in some cases in too short a tenure, while m others difficulty was found in facilitating a change of pastorate. Some congregations attached too little value to service and experience. The help of a body of impartial advisors would be of great value, and he suggested that a minimum pastorate of five years be the general rule, and that an advisory committee be set up to facilitate transfers and give advice, and that provision be made for effecting exchanges on the lines operative at present in the Presbyterian Church of Australia. It was agreed to send the report to Presbyteries for consideration. The Presbyteries of Auckland and the Bay of Plenty presented an over-, ture to the Assembly regarding broadcasting, and a committee was set up to consider the matter and report to a later meeting of the Assembly. Mr H. Manson urged the pressing need of educated and enlightened leadership in youth work, this evening, when a very fine demonstration on youth work was held. The core of the problem lay in the leader, and there was only one way of meeting the situation, the minister must accept responsibility for it. Large numbers of children and young people were outside the influence of the Church. Sister Kirkwood, young women’s Bible class travelling secretary, urged that the Church was the spint ial parent of her young people and must equip them for their life’s warfare. A well-arranged pageant, “The Highroad of the King,” was presented to a large audience.