CHURCH UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1941, Page 2

CHURCH UNION

BAPTIST—CHURCH OF CHRIST. DEVELOPMENT IN MASTERTON AND ELSEWHERE. “There is a growing feeling within the Christian world that it is high time denominational barriers were broken down, and that the church should present a united front to the world,” states Mr L. R. Usmar (general secretary of the New Zealand Associated Church of Christ), who is at present in Masterton. “To a large extent the Delilah of division has shorn the church of its strength. The old adage still is' true, ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ Recent years have seen notable overtures toward union by most of the recognised churches. “Over the past twelve months,” he said, “negotiations have been entered into between the New Zealand Baptist Church and the Associated Churches of Christ, with a view to uniting these two bodies. A unity committee, representative of the two churches, has been appointed, and the basis of union now is being prepared. As a gesture in the right direction, the youth of both the Baptist and the Church of Christ have arranged for a Dominion-wide combined service and rallies to be held tomorrow. In most centres, combined ministers’ fraternals have been held, and interchanges of pulpit are taking place. “Locally an even more definite move is evident,” Mr Usmar continued. “For the past four or five years the Baptist Church and the Church of Christ have been meeting respectively in the Druids' Hall and the Y.M.C.A. Realising that the two churches have so much in common, representatives of the Baptist Union approached the general executive of the Churches of Christ with a view to uniting the two bodies. Subsequently a combined meeting was held in Masterton and its decision was confirmed at separate meetings of the two local churches. It' was decided that the churches should combine for Sunday services, Sunday school and week-night service. Joint management committees have been appointed. The one in Wellington is composed of four members, two eafh from the Baptist Central Auxiliary dnd the Church of Christ general executive, and the other in Masterton is composed of an equal number from each church. The combined group will, be known as the Associated Church, Baptist-Church of Christ. Communion services are to be held each Sunday, alternately on Sunday mornings and evenings.” Mr Usmar is in Masterton for the month, and will conduct the first services of the Baptist-Church of Christ tomorrow. Arrangements arc in hand for future ministerial supply. The services are being conducted in the Y.M.C.A. on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Sunday school is to be held al 10 o’clock each Sunday morning; A cordial invitation to attend these combined services is extended to 'all members, adherents and friends in the district.