Newark post., 1914-04-15

NhoA Sh hIiIlldtlOllS dCtcu DIS dill du-
visory council. The survey covered
all denominations. The purpose was
not to bear out any particular thesis
with regard to rural needs but
merely to arrive at the facts.
Nineteen counties containing
1,515 churches We're surveyed. Of
these churches it was found that
less than one-third are growing.
The remaining two-thirds are
either standing still or are dying.
The farmers church is the crux of
the problem. Of the "town
churches approximately six out Of
ten are growing. Of the farmers
churches not quite three out of ten
are growing.
The primary fault, in the opinion
o fthe investigators, is that of min
lsterlal vivisection. noe minister
divided among sevral churches can
not do full justice to any part Of
his work. Only 6 per cent Of all
the country churches are found to
have undivided ministers. Only 26
per cent have as much of a minis
ter as one-half, 23 per cent have
only one third Of a minister, 27 per
cent have only one-fourth, IA per
cent have only one-ffth, 5 per cent
have only one-sixth, "while one
poor minister was found who was
manfully striving to serve the needs
Of seven different churches scatter
ed all over county. In 1913 con-
secutive days he had preached 119
times in a vain effort to fill a place
seven times too large for one man.
The ordinary township has a
number of these fractional minis
ters of various denomlnations-men
who give only small part of their
time to that particular township.
The full time of one resident pastor
would be worth more to a commun-
ity than the part time of many min
listers. 1t would mean the differ
ence between concentrated effort
and scattered effort, focused inter-
est and diffused interest, thorough
familiarity with the field and cas-
ual acquaintance with it.
"A fourth of each Of four minis
ters does not mean a whole minister
in working efficiency, though it
means a whole salary. 1t would
not cost as much to put in each OF
these communities one strong
church with a resident pastor serv-
ing on full time, who would be
able to do far more than the whole
number of ministers who can each
spend but small part of the time
with each church. "
A small church is a dying propo-
sition, it is found. To multiply the
number of small churches means
simply to multiply the number of
church failures. Pioneer condl-
tions do not prevail in Ohio. There
are few rapidly growing communi-
ties where a church may start IN
embryonic form and grow up with
the community. In a state rural
society such as that of Ohio ii a
church cannot show at least one
hundred members, its chances OF
life and growth are very small.
There is momentum in large num-
bers. ''To him that hath shall be
given"
The organization of farmers
clubs is strong y recommended.
Some such method is necessary to
interest the tenant farmer-who
unwittingly constitutes one OF the
most acute problems of the country
church. The tenant farmer does
not expect to remain long IN the
community. Therefore, he does
not ally himself with any church
unless he is specially sought. A club
for the discussion of farming
methods and community matters as
well as practical religious themes
might be an entering wedge lnto
the interest of the tenant farmer.
It is also urged that pastors ot
located alongside the consolidated
country schools. In the near future
Ohio will doubtless very extensive
" consolidate it's rural schools. Inc
school-going habit will build up
village, often town, around tht
school plant. The church neares,
that school will be at the heart OF
things and will have fair chance
for growth. ooo.
"The denomination which places
churches Systematically alongside
onnsol;dated schools and builds par
sonages for its ministers by IL tnese IS
chools will grow in the country,