The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-01-05
TEAM WORK FOR CHURCHES.

Terse Comments on the Uniform Pray
er Meeting Topic of the Young Poo
pies Societics-Christian EndeavOr, !
etc.-EOr January 1O.-"Our De- !
nO1ninatiOnai Boards, and Our Rela- |
ton to Them ? Cor. 8: S-15.
BY William r. Ellis.
How many Christians unitedly do a
comprehensive service for the whole
nation and the entire world? That
is a big question:, a difficult question:,
and a pressing question. All the temp
tation for q local church lies in the
direction Of parochialis1n. Church
work suffers from smallness and self
c~enteredness. The problem is to relate
every individual congregation and
Christian to the broader work Of the
kingdom. The system of denomina-
tional boards h a is in present use is
admittedly imperfect. There is too
much waste energy in it. It OverlapS
too greatly and OverlOOkS too much.
The national n international agen-
cies are too many, and too seriously
duplicated, owing to the nearly two
hundred Protestant denominations in
North America. A slow, strong, steady
drift of our day is toward the reor-
ganizatiOn of UNCONVENTIONAL boards.
with a view to lesSened expense and
increased efficiency. Interest in these
larger phases of Christian work lis ex-
pected Of all thoughtful church mem
berS.
Notwithstanding all their limitations
and defects, UNCONVENTIONAL boards
are the best means for securing an
outreach Of ones personality, influence
and offerings. They represent the in
dividual Christian in fields which he
could not personally enter. In his
behalf and at his behest. thew work
IOr MN IN " VIC ~ vyhioh IL -
personally skilled. A diversified, con
slant and far-reaching ministry is pos
slble 70 every church member through
MS cenomlnatlonal benevolent boards
All boards are not Of equal impor-
lance. Inc wise giver exercises dis
in his uppor If. bv any
: method Or for any reason. ch,,rci
members should acquire the habit a.
giving conVentlOnally a lump sum O.
: al benevolences, much Of the ioy anf
inspiration and effectiveness Of giyine
I would be lost. An intelligent stud
| OF church boards, their purnosa No.
I sonnet and methods, is really tho Az,
e OF every discriminating church new,
Der.
seldom are the long~establisha
church boards as sensational in tbei
2 appeals AS certain independent orean
e lzat1ons; The very word ''undcnonlin
e at1onal sounds alluring to many Der
6 sons. The result has been thar Er.
sums are contributed to agencie
l when are irresponsible and relative
~ ineffective, being strong onlv in RI
!. nloley-ralslng end. Candid word
neeo TO oe spoken about this. Ever
unbiased investigation Of which
nave knowledge has shown that IN
n cheapest, the best Administered az
} the most effective form Of missions
he Worh IS that under the care Of IN
great uenominationl boards. Tbas
a latter are thoroughly Responsible. an
le ~anlenaole to the givers. Through II
re enorch courts they may be bro,sl
20 book at any time. Over indaneei
=, ent ph'ianthropies there is no 90,
a hoaa devoted ,siver, plus a chure
"a oohd, Is the fulflrnent Of the COMM
Re 60 go into all the world"
K; one by one old church leadar. .,
rd dying off. Where are tha;r q
sors? There is always a.can fo $500