METHODIST CHURCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 14

METHODIST CHURCH

DECREASE IN YOUTH MEMBERSHIP. ANXIETY EXPRESSED. | Per Press Association.! CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 24. A series of decreases, especially in youth work, was reported to the annual conference o r the Methodist Church of New Zealand. The conference viewed the position with grave arixiety and Mr. R. C. Clark vigorously contended that the church was being outthought by the disciples of Marxism. Statistics were presented as follows: Increases in schoolrooms. 4: ministers and probationers, 6; home missionaries, 1; members on probation. 25; junior members, 60; infant members, 480; communicants, 175. Decreases Churches and other preaching places, 5: local preachers. 5: class leaders. 50; members on roll 747. The Sunday School membership declined by 787 and the young men's and women's Bible Classes by 1446. “We are materially minded and until Christianity is shifted on to a different pla<ne there will be no hope of making up the leeway.” said Mr. Clark. “Nothing has been said at this conference about unity of the churches, than which there is no more pressing problem in the world to-day. We are being outthought. The Marxists have a gospel and platform compared with which our gospel is a milk and water thing altogether.” More and more he had come tn the opinion that unless the Methodist Church rethought itself withi.n 30 or 40 years it would ceas6 to exist, he said.

More careful supervision of membership rolls was urged by several speakers.