The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-26
Church reform
To Be Promoted By A Cam
paign In Ohio

Columbus, o., Nov. 20 - Definite
plans by which rural churches will be
made to serve country communities
in the same ways as chambers of com
merce now fill needs in cities, were dis
closed in reports of the national Com.
mission on Church and Rural Life
made public here today.
The plans are intended to dim de-
nominational lines eventually by com.
bining or federating country churches
in Ohio, and establishing community
churches. These will be expected to
be active In promoting the causes OF
good roads, scientific farming, public
health and sanitation, temperance, pub
lie recreation, community beautifica-
ton, better schools, library organiza'
ton and contentment with rural life.
The plans are of special significance
in Ohio. This is the state which has
been selected for the first intensive
campaign for rural church reform. Ag.
ricultural leaders and prominent
churchmen will watch Ohio closely
during the next few years.
The campaign probably will be ini-
tiated at the national convention of
the Commission on Church and Rural
Life which will he held in Columbus.
Dec. 8, 8 and 10th, in connection with
the meeting of the Federal Council of
Churches, with President Wilson and
Clifford Pinchot as the principal speak
ers.
Here Is general outline Of cam
paign plans: First, country districts
will be flooded with newly developed
publications telling of the success OF
a few community church enterprises
in Ohio and other states. This will
prepare the minds of ministers and
rural leaders for possible church mer-
gers later. Then It will be urged that
several churches in a township or COM
effect a federation by choosing
delegates to an inter-church commit
tee.
This committee will assist in coop
Grafton of its member churches in an
community interests. Each church
may retain its individuality and its
own minister by this-pl Eventual
ly, however, 1t is considered desirable
Dy leaders in this movement that these
churches would employ a common
preacher. They could afford to pay him
decent salary in that case, and ir
turn he would be expected to be
leader in all activities, as well as ir
spiritual affairs.
UNCONVENTIONAL identity might be
retained in order to keep churches ir
touch with strong sectarian organiza
tions, but these lines would not be oh
served closely within the community
"It will take time to work this out
says Clifford Pinchot, chairman of the
commission, in report, "but the plan
is practical and in the end 1t will be
the greatest conservation movement ir
the country, for 1t will be conservation
of human energy"
The campaign in Ohio will proceed
on facts discovered In the rural sur
vey which has been I'm progress TO
the past several years, and which is
not yet completed. 1t Is said to be the
only comprehensive survey of the kind
ever made of an entire state. Further
results announced today are these:
Eight hundred of the 5000 rural
churches in Ohio have been abandoned.
Only one-third are growing and two
thirds have either ceased to grow or
are dying. Eighty-three per cent have
a membership OF less than 100; 2l per
cent have less than 25 members; 81
per cent have between 25 and so; "a
per cent have between SO and 100. On.
ly six per cent have individual preach.
ers, while 26 per cent share ministers
with another church; % per cent have
one third the time of minister; 27 per
cent have one fourth time; 10 per cent
have one-fifth time; 5 per cent have
one-sixth time; and several ministers
try TO attend to seven or eight church
es,
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