PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 197, 9 November 1934, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION STATEMENT OF CHURCH'S FAITH Press Association—Copyright Dunedin, November 8. The first business session of the Presbyterian General Assembly was held this morning, the principal business being the treasurer's report, in presenting which Mr.. V. G. Chapman said that at the last Assembly he had to report a deficit of £12,500 on the year's work and an annual shortage of nearly £9OOO. There was now a great improvement. This year congregations had contributed £27,244, against £21,052 the previous year. The deficiency on the year's working was £1717.

A comparison of the giving by Presbyteries showed Dunedin heading the list with £3510 and Auckland next with £2029.

At the Presbvterian Assembly the Rev. J. D. Smith spoke of the strong desire on the part of many for a brief, clear statement of the Church's faith. He said foolish criticism concentrated on what was left out of the brief statement which gathered together what was commonly believed and necessary to an active Christian life. There was no intention to supersede the Westminster confession of faith. He deprecated any j vote on the basis of prejudice or the fear of the faith being undermined. It was decided to send a draftf statement of the Church' of Scotland to presbyteries for criticism' and suggestion.

The general treasurer stated' that the financial position of the church was greatly improved. The huge deficit of 1932 had been reduced to £3OOO. Members of the church must be informed of the work being done, and he urged that the church must face increasing budgets owing to reduced interest on investments and the present high exchange. Exchange cost the church £3OOO. The treasurer regretted that so many congregations were careless about paying Assembly assessments. After a long discussion on the advisory board report it was decided to pay the travelling expenses of delegates in full and that the board remain as at present. It was decided that grants to weak charges be on an annually reducing basis and to direct presbyteries to press for the amalgamation of charges where possible. The . Rev. Henry Barton presented a report on ministerial tenure and transference. He said the present system resulted in some cases in too short tenure, while in others difficulty was found in facilitating a change of pastorate. Some of the congregations attached too little value to the service and experienced help of a body of impartial advisors. He suggested that a minimum pastorate of five years be the general rule, that an advisory committee be set up to facilitate transfers and give advice, and that provision be made for effecting exchanges on,,.the' lines operating in the Presbyterian Church of Australia. It was agreed to <=end the report to presbyteries for consideration, the presbytery of Clutha to continue to work on the matter.

The presbyteries of Auckland and Bay of Plenty made overtures to the Assembly regarding broadcasting, and a committee was set up to consider the matter and report to a later meeting of the Assembly. ,v ,

To-night a very fine demonstration of youth work was held. Mr. H.- Manson urged the pressing need of educated and enlightened leadership in youth work. The core of the problem lay in the leader. 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 spiritual parent of her young people and must equip them for lives of warfare. Homes of the land took no responsibility. The Church alone was able to, do so because she had the machinery and equipment, yet the Church was not doing her part for her membership was not aware of the opportunity. The Christian conscience must be aroused. A well arranged pageant, "The Highroad of the King," was presented to a large audience. Home was portrayed and its influence on a child; then the crossroads of youth leading on to the period when Christian service was entered upon.