CHURCH WORSHIP

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 3

CHURCH WORSHIP

* TLEA FOR CHANGED METHODS A strong plea for a difference in the method of church worship was made by the Rev. A. Mead in his presidential address to the assembly of the Congregational Union of New Zealand yesterday. "It is my considered judgment," he said, "that interest in the social worship of Christians commonly nailed Church-going has lessened, because the methods have misfired, and human need has not been met. Our services should be more congregational, not in the denominational sense, but in the sense of all the congregation participating." _ * Later in his address, Mr Mead remarked: —"There is need for something more than snippety topical Dreaching of the grasshopper type which the pulpit has long adopted; there is need for a sane and systematic interpretation and a sound exposition of the truth as it has been demonstrated through Jesus Christ. "Much more could be done through the pulpit and the Sunday schools, but still more through Bible schools and study circles for people of all ages. The need of moral inspiration and mental instruction is most acute and urgent in New Zealand, where the Bible is not a prescribed book in State schools."