Presbytery Questions Value Of Parish

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 6

Presbytery Questions Value Of Parish

There were thouMnds of people in Christchurch responsive to the Christian gospel, but not through the parish approach used at present, the Rev. L. Jones, minister of St. Paul’s Church, Mid during a debate on the relative advantages and dis-' advantages of large and small parishes at the monthly meeting of the Presbytery of Christchurch. The Presbytery was discussing a statement in the Home Ministry Committee report that “There is a real danger that people will be lost within the larger parish because of preoccupation with the institutional side of the life of the church.” “Personal care for people was more difficult in large parishes," Mid the committee convener, the Rev. K. A. Hadfield. Orthodox Lines Mr Jones said that he thought it tragic that the Presbytery was thinking along orthodox lines when its job was dealing with “unchurched" people. The Rev. D. Glenny contended, however, that it was only after a parish grew in size and had a large membership that it was able to help those outside the church. The Presbytery received the report.

The Presbytery approved the Waikari session’s acceptance of a tender for £11,633 for the building of a new church at Hawarden. Sale Of Hall

Also approved was the Mie of a church hall at St James’s Church, Frankleigh street Spreydon, to St Christopher's Anglican Church for £6OO. The Presbytery appointed delegates to the National Council of Churches Consultation on the Christian Faith, and observers to the council’s annual meeting, both to be held at the end of this month. Delegates to the consultation will be Miss C. J. Johnston and the Rev. A. Baxter.

Observers to the annual meeting will be Mr L. B. Galbraith, the Rev. L. Jones, Rev. D. G. Knight, Rev. K. A. Hadfield, and Deaconess J. Alexander. A grant of £7OO for the lona parish, Aranui, was ap-