POWER OF FAITH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20067, 13 October 1939, Page 6

POWER OF FAITH

SCATTERED PARISHES INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN SCOPE FOR THE CHURCH BISHOP GERRARD’S VIEWS (Special to the Herald.) NAPIER, this day. The necessity for a deliberate teaching campaign to acquaint members of the church with the true character of the denomination to which they belong and the vast history and the power for good inherent in their faith was a leading topic among those discussed by the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt. Rev. G. V. Gerrard. in his charge to members of the synod which opened its business sessions yesterday.

His Lordship declared that owing to the territorial expanse of the

diocese of Waiapu. and the comparative sparseness of population, the sense of church allegiance was weak n many places, knowledge of the world-wide Anglican communion with its 13 centuries of history being often confined to monthly services in remote district churches, halls ui schools, where residents were also invited, indiscriminately at times, to patronise similar efforts of other denominations or sects., Deliberate Teaching Campaign "I believe that we must plan a deliberate teaching campaign, aimed at nstructing our people in the natur* of the Holy Catholic Church and the Church of England in particular,” said Bishop Gerrard. “While her history, doctrine, sacrament, and Prayer Book are little known or understood, it is the duty of the clergy to teach these things methodically to adults as well as to children, and for loyal congregations to support these instructions. “I appeal to the laity of the synoa to influence the laity in their parishes against the evil of competitive •ser-mon-tasting’ which tends to expecting of the clergy a topical discourse and leaving unlaid the foundations 'or building up intelligent faith. “While' fully realising the difficulties of country life, I am convinced ‘hat we shall never be strong while the bulk of country parishioners can come to town for market nays, shopping, sport and cinemas, but seldom to the parish church except for a baptism or marriage. “The special intercessions now being held since the outbreak of W’ar should be the means of bringing country people to week-day service at least, as a beginning. “I realise that denominational competition has been partly responsible for the low standards that we have jrown to expect in the country; and hat much sound propaganda i* necessary.” At a later stage in his charge, the bishop referred to the dangers of uncertain loyalties as affecting the strength of the church. “Uncertain Loyalties Ineffective” “We are livrng in a changing world,” he said. “Half-hearted connections and uncertain loyalties are demonstrably ineffective, and the church may yet have to face up to greater tests of sincerity. Fellow-Christians in other parts of the world have recently suffered and died for their beliefs. New political and social orders are constantly evolving, and the church must 1 set her house in order.

“Soon she may feel compelled to challenge the status of her thousands of nominal members who assume, except on a few formal occasions, a studied indifference to the demands of their faith and the rules of their church.

“Her limited resources are being dissipated so widely upon ill-appreci-ated ministrations to the unresponsive that she can seldom bring ‘fruit to perfection,’ nor develop fully the souls of genuine believers, and thus strengthen the Body of Christ to such a state of devotion and efficiency as

shall command the attention and respect of the whole community. “Will she not soon be compelled to institute a drastic purge of her rolls, and strike out the names of such adherents as never obey her rules, attend her worship, or participate in any of her activities except for occasional attendance at a social function or the contribution of a meagre donation? Strong Well-Disciplined Church “Much can be said in favour of a policy; for a strong, well-disciplined church, though small at fii'st, would be a veritable power in the land, and could be more readily brought about if clergy were free to concentrate upon such of their people as sincerely believe in their message or value their ministrations. Unbelievers then would be compelled to show their colours openly, and loyalists to accept the full obligations of the faith. “Now on the grounds of Christian charity and a disinclination to sever even the slenderest ties of churchmanship, capable of possible renewal, few of us are yet prepared to consider a policy of exclusion, if a more positive solution can be found. And I believe that one exists.

“Let us establish within our society a body of individuals who pledge themselves to take their religion seriously, really to obey the rules of the church, support her fixtures, work for the spread of the gospel, and jealously defend the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ everywhere and always. Such a body will have to bear a name indicative of its purpose, as for example: ‘Guardians of the Anglican Church,’ ‘Fellowship of the Living Christ,’ ‘Waiapu Centennary Crusaders,’ or the like."