CHRISTIAN ORDER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 38, 12 January 1943, Page 6

CHRISTIAN ORDER

THE DOMINION CAMPAIGN

WHAT LIES BEHIND AND AHEAD

Now that the- active phase of the New Zealand Campaign for Christian Order in 1942 has come to 1 an end and reports from the various districts have been studied and digested by the Campaign headquarters in Wellington, it is possible to present a general survey of what the Churches have accomplished in thengreat united effort, to living home to the nation the. message that the Christian gospel has a very direct bearing on all aspects of community and international life. But such a stock-taking docs not in the. least imply that the Campaign is. so to 'speak, going out of business. On the contrary, following a meeting of the Campaign Committee of the National Council of Churches; in Wellington the other day, it has not on]j' been announced that the Campaign will continue this year, but the general course it will follow in 1943 has also been planned.

While it is obviously impossible to give anything but approximate results, one or two facts do clearly

emerge from a survey recently undertaken on behalf of the Campaign among a large number of people in all walks of life up and down tijie country. The outstanding fact is that nine people out of 'ten have at least heard about the Campaign for Christian Order during the past year: they are aware that the Churches have been making a special effort, to arouse public ■ opinion. As to whether the Churches have succeeded or arc likely to succeed, or indeed whether they should succeed, there is much more divided opinion. Certainly if anybody was

expecting any mass conversions, any miraculous and widespread changes of heart as a result of the Campaign's activities to dale, he would be disappointed. But few people have been expecting this, and least of all those Avho have been running the Campaign. They realise that what has been done last year has been no more than an exploration of possibilities, and that before- men and women can get down to solving problems the}' must be made aware that the problems exist. To the extent, then, that the existence of the Campaign has been brought to the notice of 90 per cent

of the population, the background necessary for future work has been successfully achieved. Equally as important and encouraging, though less obvious to the outside public, has been the close co-operation of so many different denominations. In the Campaign they have found a common meeting-ground, providing a basis for a sympathetic understanding of their common problems and a sense of solidarity with the world-wide Church.

While the organisers fully appreciate that it is only the long-term results that will really count, the reports from the different regional committees indicate that, in a good many places, the six-A\eeks' period of simultaneous preaching A\*as marked by increased congregations: and that a ferment of thought and discussion has been started on social, economic, and international affairs and their relationship to the Christian message as a result of the broadcast addresses, the house-to-house visitations, the campaign literature, and the special radio sessions, and particular!}" as a result of study groups which have been formed all over the country. • in man}' cases the campaigners have gone right outside their own congregations and have star led the ferment Avorking among groups in factories, shops and offices, as Avell as in such bo-dies as Trades and Labour Councils. ] n all this Avork the special needs of avomen find youth havo not been overlooked. Plans for 1943 Willi this background ami organisation already laid cloavh, the. Cliur•ehes intend next j'car to continue the Campaign in a slightly different form, and to concentrate the attack in limited sectors, at a tttne. For this purpose it has been decided to organise. "Christian Order Weeks" in .selected areas, on the lines of "Religion and Life" Weeks successfully carried out by the Churches in •war-time Britain. The initiative, and control of these Aveeks will 1 'vj in the -ands of the local 1 coin-' ; ■•.uittee i ; ■ ach area, Avith advice and sug. -ions from' the centra! ommiti ( and if desired specialist ;;p3akers, awn from a Dominionw'de pan- ■ will be made aA r ai!abh\ (t is hop< to secure a notable rpculuv from Great Britain, and Hie