PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19952, 9 November 1934, Page 11

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETS YESTERDAY’S SESSION By Telegraph—Press Association DUNEDIN, November 8. At the Presbyterian Assembly, the Rev. J. D. Smith spoke of the strong desire on the part of many for a brief and clear statement of the Church’s faith. He said that foolish criticism concentrated on what was left out. “A brief statement gathers together what is commonly believed and necessary to an active Christian life,” he said. There was no intention to supersede the Westminster Confession of Faith, and he deprecated any vote on the basis of prejudice or fear of faith being undermined. It was decided to send a draft statement of the Church of Scotland to the Presbyteries for criticism and suggestion. Finance. 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 that the work being done was urgent, and that the Church must face increasing budgets owing to the reduced interest on investments and the present high exchange. The exchange costs 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. Finally 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. Ministerial Tenure. 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 congregations attached too little value to service and experience. The help of a body of impartial advisors was of great value. He suggested that a minimum pastorate of five years be a 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 Presbytery of Clutha to continue to work on the matter. The Presbyteries of Auckland and the Bay of Plenty overtured Assembly regarding broadcasting, and a committee was set up to consider the matter and report to a later meeting of Assembly. Youth Work. To-night a very fine demonstration of youth work was held. The Rev. H. Manson urged the pressing need of educated and enlightened leadership in youth work. The core of the problem lay in the leader and the only one way of meeting the situation was that the minister must accept responsibility for it. Large numbers of children and young people were outside the influence of the Church. Sister Kirkwood, the Young Women’s Bible Class travelling secretary, urged that the Church was the spiritual parent of her young people and must equip them for life’s warfare. The homes of the land would take no responsibility and the Church alone was able to do so because she had the machinery and equipment, yet the Church was not doing her part for the membership, was not aware of the opportunity. The Christian conscience must be aroused. A well arranged pageant “The High Road of the King,” was presented to a large audience. The home was portrayed and its influence on the child: then the crossroads of youth leading on to the period when Christ’s service was entered upon.