Has The Church Lost The Power Of Leadership?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 4

Has The Church Lost The Power Of Leadership?

rERE'S nothing like seeing for oneself, and whether it is a visit

to a chop suey house or an Auckland night club such personal experience always brings most interesting results. In the first place, I got into some very hot water with a group of very intelligent people (school teachers), who took me severely to task for suggesting that secular education had anything at all to do with "riotous" living on the part of some of Auckland's prodigals.

By Rev. C. W. Chandler

The godless trend to which, in part, I attributed to the cumulative result of a generation or so of State education, wherein the name of God docs not occur, save as an extra, could not, in their opinion, be attributed to that cause at all. They, on their part, were more inclined to blame the Church, and in support of C^a^m went so far as to suggest that the products of church schools are if anything, worse than the products of secular schools. They may be right. If they are, there is something radicallv wrong with the Church's teaching and methods. One of these voung people who has lately come from a Church school boldly asserted that repression was all that was exerted in such institutions and that once off the leash those who go to such schools react violently from such training. She IVlay Be Right Judging by the disappointing observations of most clergy with regard to the non-attendance at church of those on vacation from such establishments, I imagine that there is something in what she says. It's worth while being provocative if only to stimulate some serious thinking on this subject. By to-day's mail comes a letter from a lieutenant on sick leave. The letter consists of 14 pages, clearly written. It does not deal with Church schools, but with the Church itself, and of how he was led to Christ and a victory over sin from outside the Church altogether. "Too often the clergy are frightened to speak out the fiery truths of Christ in case someone is offended. But I am certain that onlv the truth spoken with courage will cleanse the Temple of God." He thinks the Church is due for another cleansing. I wholeheartedly agree with him. We condone far more than we condemn and the things we do condemn are as gnats beside the camels we swallow every day. This soldier is convinced that most of those who attend night clubs do not find the happiness their souls crave for in such directions. They would, he is convinced, embrace real religion and gain the victory they need if only the Church were cleansed of its fear and pseudorespectability. "Blind Leading the Blind" "So many of those who comprise the regular congregation in your churches have never had a real experience of either sin or salvation and as a . consequence they are carpingly critical, without being on fire for the salvation of the sinners whom they criticise. For the most Eart you are blind leaders of the lind, steeped in sectarian jealousy and hypocrisy." I am glad to share with you these matters, because I am myself most uneasy with regard to the Church's ability to reach this generation or play any part in the post-war reconstruction about which so much is loosely expressed. An inward cleansing is first of all necessary. Until this is accomplished I do not see how she can come before the world to point the way to better living.

This is chiefly why I think that the Campaign for Christian Order is entirely premature. The order that now exists has grown up with the Church's help. She is part of it. She has money invested in it, and until she repents in sackcloth and ashes there is small chance of her message being heeded.

In a game of cards to lose the lead is oftentimes to lose the game. The Church has lost the lead and she will not regain it until she regains her lost courage and maybe she will not regain her lost courage until she is thrown to the lions or hidden in the catacombs.