1932 STATISTICS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1933, Page 7

1932 STATISTICS

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN N.Z

SERIOUS FINANCIAL POSITION.

Persons under the pastoral Cfti’e of the Presbyterian Church in 267 charges and 102 mission station® passed the 200,000 mark last year, but church attendance at 603 churches and 732 preaching places trends downward. These are among the facts to be re> ported to. the General Assembly in Wanganui this week. An influx of 3045 new communicants, the most ever recorded raised the roll to 53,658. Prayer meetings showed encouraging and, in some cases, striking signs of revival. The depression had left its imprint on finance. Stipend reductions totalled over £4OOO, ordinary income was £10,620, contributions to assembly schemes £5984 and gross revenue £18,639 less than in 1931.

The social service committee reports that there are 443 children in the 20 children’s homes. This shows a decline of 14 compared with the previous year. A few years ago the number was upward of 500. The expenditure amounted to £27,598, compared with £31,138 for the previous year, but notwithstanding this shrinkage, the combined associations showed a loss of £2832 on the year’ working. A serious position warranting the closest attention of the assembly is disclosed in the treasurer’ report. There had been a further decline in the congregational contributions for mission activities. The amount contributed was the lowest for any year since 1919, although church membership had increased 25 per cent. The expenditure of the year for foreign, home and Maori missions, youth of the church work and for the assistance of students for the ministry had been £41,069, which sum was well within the amount, £42,085, estimated. The amount received from all sources had been £12,480 short of the actual expenditure. An examination of the giving of the church indicated that there was considerable room for improvement. Taking into account the amount returned to congregations of the church by way of grants from the home mission funds, the ,nef contribution for the wider work of the church represented but one pennv a. week from each member. Very definite steix should he taken, says the treasurer, either to bring the cost of the work attempted within the amount the church apparently was willing to give, or else to stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of church members.

The advisory board, in its report, recommends that a budget amounting to £39.815 he authorised for the coming year, the principal items being: Foreign missions, £18,335; home missions and central fund, £12,614; 'Maori missions, £5422; youth work, £2074.