YOUTH & THE CHURCH

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20774, 6 April 1939, Page 10

YOUTH & THE CHURCH

A VITAL QUESTION

DISCUSSION BY PRESBYTERY At Tuesday's meeting of the Waii kat'j Presbytery a long and frank dis- ' mission took place, in committee, on a report dealing with the problem of j the youth and the Church, based on i a report submitted by the convener of the youth committee the Per. J. G. Young;, which dealt comprehenI siveiy with what proved a manysided question. The discussion disclosed that ministers generally recog- : nised that the attitude of modern : youth towards the Church was a vital matter, and was causing them much concern, but they were largely at a less as to how to approach it. After a discussion extending over three hours, it was agreed to adjourn the debate until next meeting, when the subject will ajgain be placed first on the agenda. I The report dealt somewhat trenchantly with the neglect of Kirk Sessions to associate with, and where necessary supervise, the activities of tlie youth work in its various aspects, and the absence of trained lenders ; jto control Bible classes. Prmsioas] made for training were not being ; ' taken advantage of, with the result that many classes were suffering. ( Tlie fypn of Bible study was dis- j cussed* it being averred that a great j many Bible class members have little j or no grasp of fundamental truths, j Dr. Salmond, the director of youth work, had stressed the need for a sounder grounding in the faith and, ; ; as a possible means to that end, tlie : ; committee suggested the holding of j tutorial evenings, when lecturcttes on | i essential aspects of the Christian j faith and doctrine could be given by i ministers. The committee stressed J that, while recognising the great im- | portance of youth work, it neverthc- ! less was only one branch of church j activity, it, however, was becoming ; | a specialised department, creating ; j certain difficulties and complications ; for every minister and home mis- ! j sionary, to deal with which courageous j i action should be taken, such as some system of centralisation and consolidation as was being done in the State schools. New Methods Needed The report concluded:— ! "In days of motor transport good loads and changing social conditions ! we still adhere to the same old parish ; boundary lines, which separated par- | ishes in the days of the horse and buggy. We are outdated and out- . classed, because we refuse to scrap regulations and methods which are now obsolete. It is no exaggeration I to say that we lack vision, enterprise | and statesmanship in the administration of some of our Church affairs. “Furthermore, has the day not ■ come when we might consider the j desirability of enlisting trained youth leaders or dea-conesses to assist j ministers in the scattered rural are-as | and difficult suburban districts of the 1 cities and larger towns. Whatever we may think, the fact remains that j we are facing a totally new situation in our church life and activity, and we are challenged to meet presentday needs in a new way.” The committee recommended that the attention of sessions be drawn to certain paragraphs in the Book of Order dealing with these matters and that ministers be unied to encourage sessions to maintain a closer oversight of. and to manifest a deeper interest in. the youth work- in their midst; and that ministers be urged to challenge youth and Christian leadership in Sunday school, Bible class and | church. It was decided to accept an offer ! by Dr. J. Salmond. director of youth j : work, to hold an intensive campaign j j throughout the Presbytery, commencing at the end of the current month, ! during which youth institutes will be j held in various centres, and ministers and home missionaries are to be urged to extend their wholehearted co-operation in the matter.