CHURCH BROADCASTS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 36, 23 March 1928, Page 4

CHURCH BROADCASTS

CHRISTCHURCH PRACTICE | "WORKING ADMIRABLY." ' As the following article, from the pen of the Rev. D. Gardner Millex, will show, a very satistactory modus operandi has been evolved in Christchurch in connection with the broadcasting of religious ser: vices, The Rev. D.. Gardner Miller writes :-- ‘The broadcasting of religious services is now an integral part of the wireless service to the community. No one doubts its value, as thousands of letters trom listeners-in testify. Until recently, however, the method of selection was rather haphazard. Certain churches were ‘on the air’ trequently, while others hardly got a look 1p. ‘Lhe responsibility ot selection lay with the Broadcasting Company, and with as many us twenty churehes clamouring for dates, it is not to be wondered at that confusion emerged. Then Mr. Harris had a brain wave. He conceived the idea of placing the responsibility upon the churches themselves. An invitation was extended ito every denomination to send a rep-

resentative to a meeting in the studio] to discuss the matter. Six denominations responded. = It was a lively meeting. ‘There was a tendency on the part of some to base the broadcasting of religious services on the numerical strength of the deHomunations, but that was soon found to be impracticable. Finally a policy was hammered ont, to which all agreed. Put bricfly, the following is the method now in actual operation :- (a) A Church Broadcasting Advisory Committee, consisting of a representative from each of the following denominations: Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Church of England, Church of Christ, and Congregational, meets monthly (with a member of the Broadcasting Company’s staff as secretary), to arrange ali matters pertaining to the broadcasting of church services. {b) Iu ary month containing a fifth Sunday, the company reserves the right to make its own arrangements. As a matter of actual fact, the company seeks our advice as to the suitability of ‘any applications made for such Sundays. (c) Bach denomination has its date fixed by rotation; thus we know for months ahead when we will be ‘on the air," and can make our arrange- ments accordingly. | (d} ‘he company holds one church in each denomination responsible for the date fixed. ‘This means, for instance, that when tle Congregational date is fixed I am responsible to the company for arrangimmg which church of my denomination shall broadcast. If, through unforeseen circumstances, the church agreed npon cannot fulfil the obligation, I must put my owl service on. (e) Alterations and ‘‘swopping" for special occasions (such as harvest festivals, etc.) must be made through the committee, not the company. It is understood that whenever possible six weeks’ notice .of such alteration should be given. (f) All applications for special weeknight services, organ recitals, missions, extra time on Sunday, etc., must be made to the committee, who shall make the necessary arrangements with the company. It is understood, of course, that when applications are sent Cirect to the company, stich are presented by the secretary at the monthly meeting. The above has been in operation since shortly after Christmas. It is working admirably. The greatest friendliness and unanimity exist between the members of the Advisorv Comnnittee

‘and between them and company. A few miuntes each nionth is all that is required to transact the necessary business. Our dates are arranged far ahead. The latest move of the committee is the suggestion that the denomination broadcasting should also arrunge fot its Sunday School to take part in the children’s service the same evening. The setting-up of this committee has solved a thorny problem, and now everything in the garden is lovely.