CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 867, 13 July 1910, Page 8

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

PROPOSALS TO RECRUIT IT. , A systematic effort is about to bo made by the Wellington Presbytery to arrest as far as possiblo the "leakage" which is constantly taking place "in membership of the. churches. .Referring to.the matter at the Presbytery, meet-, ing yesterday, the, Rev. W. Shirer said that something ought to bo done to i carry out a definite system of welcoming immigrants to the Church in New vl Zealand, with a- view to .encouraging new arrivals to' continue their connection with tho Clmrclr. Past experience had shown that a very serious leakage in the membership of the Church was directly traceable - .-to tho break in the continuity of tho religious life of immigrants.; A splendid examplo had been set by tho. Church . nf England Men's Society in', this,connection. Members of the .Church of England were thus adopted into the life of the colonial Church.

It was pointed.out by several speakers ;that the system suggested was not very practicable.. What had been done, and was being doiiu, was tu get into touch with immigrants accredited to tho Church by Homo ministers, and arrange for th;v- reception by ministers stationed in the. districts wherein tho new arrivals proposed to settle. After some discussion it was resolved that a sub-comniitteo bo • empowered to act in tho mattei, and that, l-lib name uf Mr. Mills (Presbyterian social service agent) bo associated with tho committee.

Another point touching upon tho apparent leakage of members was tho laxity stated to exist with. regard to tho ; supervision of - the moving population of the Church. It was suggested that adherents, as''well'as properly constituted . members; should bo given certificates. .Another of. the. speakers agreed that there was certainly a laxity in tho matter, and stated that in the' absehco of'any, organised system of keeping in touch with the " Church's floating population ho had lately been keeping a vigilant eye upon tho furniture vans which came and went in his district. After- some further discussion a sub-committee, waa appointed to frame suggestions for .'dealing with the subject.