Christian Order Gains Inspiration from Conference

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 36, Issue 7, 1 October 1945, Page 1

Christian Order Gains Inspiration from Conference

(Specially written for the Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Hastings, by a delegate from Hastings to the Conference)

To be present on the occasion of the Christian Order Conference held m Christchurch at Christ's College m August-September, 1945, was an experience shared by 200 men and women representing various churches and Christian organisations m New Zealand. . The setting for the unique occasion was the beautiful halls and rooms of Christ College standing amid its spacious grounds and gardens which overlook the botanical garden and extensive area of Hagley Park, all of which was enhanced by the Spring leaves and blossoms on the trees and m the flower-beds bordering the river Avon. The spirit which pervaded the gatherings from the very outset was one of adventure — adventure m an understanding and comradeship of church unity, and, as the conference moved on from day to day, the adventure became more interesting and the understanding grew and developed. The arrangements for the living and working conditions of the delegates had been carried out with such a fine regard for detail m every respect that no-one was overlooked, and nothing left unattended to. The women were housed m the Bishop Julius Hostel, and the men m the dormitories of the college itself. The programme for the day started with a service m the beautiful chapel of the college at 7.45 a.m., and another was held daily at 5.45 p.m. These were conducted by different members of the conference of all denominations, including a woman Salvation Army officer.

Future Of The Nation.

These services were inspirational m their character and served to balance the day's programme. The conference was opened by the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, by a service m the chapel, the preacher being the Rev. J. Lawson Robinson, B.A. A civic reception was held at noon, when the Mayor, Mr E. H. Andrews, welcomed the conference to Christchurch. In his address Mr Andrews said:— "The future, of the nation rested on Christianity, and its tenets must be- the basis of peace. A new way must be found within a' realistic and down-to-life approach m presenting the Gospel to the people of New Zealand, and it was for the conference to discover this, if possible." ' The Rev. J. Lawson Robinson presided, and other speakers were Bishop Mqyes, of Armidale, New South Wales, and the Rev. W. H. Nevell, secretary of the conference. The subjects discussed at the conference were -grouped under " five headings — Christian order m relation to (1) The Evangel, (2) The Maori People, (3) Education, (4) Land Industry and Commerce, (5) World Community. There was also a youth group discussion. Each of these groups were attended by 30 to 40 people for many hours (some devoted over 40 hours to discussion of their subject), and the whole conference met m plenary session from three to five hours on two or three

days of the conference m the Cathedral Grammar School to hear the findings of ihe various groups and to discuss and assess them. 'The Rev. JT Lawson Robinson, and at one session the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, ably presided over the meetings, which were of great educational value. All took part, with the greatest ease, and ofttimes when questions of moment were to be decided it was the younger person, and maybe a woman, who p v ut forward the argument which swayed the conference to a worthwhile decision. Nor was • it always a New Zealander who showed the pathway the Christian • Church should take, but decisions were on more than one occasion influenced by the visiting members of the conference. Their Day Not Passed. Bishop Moyes gave a distinct lead m regard to Christian missions and their value m evangelistic work, and definitely stated that their day was not passed, while Mr F. J. Boyer, M.A., chairman of the Broadcasting Commission m Australia, showed how radio services could reach the non-churchgoes and so help to solve that problem for the preacher of the , evangel. Thejhree United States padres who were present throughout the whole of conference associated themselves with the whole personnel of conference, and gave generously of their time and talents to the matters under discussion, and m the final message of conference. Captain W.

W. Edel gave a very able lead when he stressed the need of the Church at this juncture to send out a message of "cheer and courage." In eight days there was no phase of living but what had been subjected to the test of what as- Christians should be done, whether it was m preaching from the pulpit, visiting the congregation by the clergy, or the responsibility of the person m they pew, the leader and teacher m our kindergarten schools and colleges, or the pupil m the class; the buyer and seller m trade, the farmer and his family, or his men on the land; the employer or the employee m the factory, shop or office; our neighbour m our street, our town, our Dominion or our nation; the individual aloney or m the mass— all were reviewed/ Naturally a programme with such far-reaching implications could not finalise its decisions m every instance, so to further the research that the conference has instigated a "continuing committee" was set up to keep m touch with the problems and their solutions as they arise and present them to the Executive Committee of the Christian Order Council. The personnel of the committee was selected from all parts of the Dominion apd was representative of every subject discussed. In keeping with the very thorough way m which the conference agenda had been prepared were the two public meetings that were organised m connection with the conference. The speakers at these were the Rfr. Rev. J. Moyes, Bishop of Armidale, New South Wales, and Professor R. M,. Algie, M.P. for Remuera, Mr F. J. Boyer, M.A., chairman of the Australian Broadcasting. Commission, and the Hon. W. Nash, M.P. No Need For New World Order. Mr Algie m his address urged unity among the' churches as the keynote' of progress. He said that he hoped the foundations of Christian unity would be built up at the conference, even though diversified religious services were observed. Quoting General Smuts, he said: "There is no need for a new world order; all that is required is a courageous and determined application of an order that was given 2000 years ago." Bishop Moyes, m his fine appeal urged the people to Return to the simple religion of their forefathers. He stressed the importance of finding a plfice for God in' the everyday life of both clergy and laity and urged the former to go out and visit the people of their congregations m their own homes and at their work, and get to know the real need of the in-: dividual. "Too long the Church had allowed the world to worship science; it must destroy this idolatory of science, or it will destroy, us," he said.

Mr Nash emphasised the magnitude of the task awaiting the Christian Church and quoted facts and figures of the world's need for relief and brotherhood. ' Mr Boyer appealed to the men and women of the churches m New Zealand to study the needs of the man m the street while putting over the Christian message. To speak, as he termed it, m the idiom of the people. He said that youth must be led into the service of the Church, and showed what could be done by adopting new methods m the presentation of the evangel, especially m regard to broadcasting. Needs Of Man In. The Street. , The Prime Minister, Mr Peter Fraser, was the guest of conference at dinner one evening, and afterwards gave an address on the international" outlook for Christian Church. Another visitor to conference was Dr. Singh, of India. Dr. Singh entered fully into the discussions of the sessions and showed by his knowledge of the subject under discussion a keen and logical mind. Dr. Singh is visiting New Zealand m connection with the Student Christian Move-* ment. The final message of conference was delivered by the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop West-Watson, and will be sent to every congregation m New Zealand m the name of the conference. - The message expressed the need for the Church to face up to its problems, to trust implicity m Jesus Christ as the Redeemer and Saviour of mankind, and to go forward, m hope and confidence, to bring a world tortured and stricken by war to a sense of the brotherhood of all men. The conference concluded with a memorable service m the Christ's College Chapel.