GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23347, 2 November 1945, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Presbyterian Church

Need For Specialists

( N.Z.P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Nov. 1. The need for more specialists in the ministry in order to keep the Churcn aoreast 01 me growing complexities oi nioaeri) hie was emphasised by tne Key D. C. Herron (Dunedin) at a meeting of tne General Assembly of the Presbyterian Cnurch to-day.

After expressing the opinion that the Churcn needed specialists in evangelism and puoiicity, Mr Herron added: -We also require specialists who are able to relate rhe Church to labour. It is a pitiable thing that a large section of me working class is outside the Church. We do not understand them and they do not understand us. Yet they have the same instinct for religion as we have.”

Tne maintenance of the Ministry Committee did not recommend an increase in the standard minimum stipend of £350 this year, but hoped next year to recommend an increase of £25. It also slated that the ultimate object was a minimum of £4OO.

The Assembly decided to appoint a standing committee to continue negotiations for a temporary exchange of ministers and bring recommendations forward when further information was available.

By resolution of the 1944 Assembly, the Presbytery of Southland was appointed to investigate the possibility of negotiating a system of temporary exchanges between the Presbyterian churches of the English-speak-ing world. The opinion was expressed in the report that such exchanges would be beneficial to the men and the charges concerned. It was reported that £40,000 was in hand for the memorial and thanksgiving fund for the reconstruction of war-damaged mission fields, the development of new housing areas, and the restoration of war-damaged churches in Britain.

The opinion that the sum raised was inadequate was expressed by the Director of Missions, the Rev. D. N. MacDiannid.

The appeal was declared closed and the Missions Committee discharged from further responsibility. Elders drawn from Presbyteries all over New Zealand, incuding one from the Maori Synod, officiated at a Communion service conducted by the Moderator, the Rev. J. W. McKenzie. A congregation numbering about 600 took part, this being' the biggest Communion service since the Assemby last met in Invercargill in 1919. The Rev. Colin McKenzie, chaplain to the Middle East Forces, delivered the commemorative address at the service of remembrance. More than 160 delegates, representing Presbyterial Associations from all parts of New Zealand, attended the opening Dominion conference of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union. The Dominion president, Mrs T. A. McGibbon, presided. Mrs H. Jones, president of the Southland Association, welcomed the visitors. A memorial minute recorded appreciation of the services of the late Mrs Fairlie Evans, of Christchurch.

Au At Home tendered to dele"ates and guests drew an attendance of nearly 500.