The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-11-27
Survey in Ohio Shows Only One
Third are Increasing in Mem
bership with Remainder
Stagnant or Dying
TO LAUNCH REFORM
MOVE AT MEETING
Causes Of Slump are Set Forth in
Report; Commission Planning
to Push Community
Center Idea
BY United Press.

BY United Press.
COLUMBUS. Ohio. Nov. 27.-one
out OF every nine country churches
have been abandoned in recent years.
Only one-third are increasing in mem
bership and two-thirds have either
ceased growing or are dying. Eighty
three per cent have less than 100
members; 2l per cent have less than
25; q per cent have between 25 and
so; and 81 per cent have between so
and 100 Only six per cent have indi-
vidual preachers, while 26 per cent
share ministers with another church:
% per cent have one-third the time of
a minister; 27 per cent have one-fourth
time; IA per cent have one-fifth time;
s per cent have one-sixth time. A large
proportion Of preachers receive about
the same pay as a day laborer. Less
than 30 per cent Of the rural popula-
ton are church members.
These facts. shown in an extensive
rural survey Of Ohio whose results
we're announced today. are applicable
to most states. according TO officers of
the Commission on Church and Coun-
try Life. Plans for scientific surveys
in all states. including Oklahoma, to
secure definite data for each locality,
will be formulated at the national con-
vention OF the Commission on Church
and Country Life. TO be held in Colum-
bus. Ohio, December s. and 10. with
President Wilson and Clifford Pinchot
among the speakers.
The Ohio survey is considered the
most thorough ever undertaken. but
the campaign not only for surveys. but
also for speedy reforms to make
churches community centers as well as
houses of religious worship. is to be
carried into every part of the country
within the next year
Here are the causes which the
country church OF the near future must
promote in order to save itself accord
ing to a much-discussed report by
President Kenyon l.. Butterfied OF
Massachusetts Agricultural College.
ready for presentation TO the commits
sion; Good roads. better farming. en-
ccuragement of agricultural college ex-
tension courses, community beautifi-
fication. public health and recreation.
tenn rerance, better schools, Saturday
hal. holiday for agricultural laborers,
community athletics, observance of re-
ligious and patriotic holidays and
home coming weeks, community plan
ming and contentment with farm life.
The church must become the social
center for the community, with its min
lister leading in variety of interest
and religion thereby will become a
stronger appeal, says the Butterfield
report. Naturally this program is ex-
pected eventually TO dim denomina-
tionaf lines.
Concrete means of promoting the
community church movement are dis
closed in another report which the
commission is expected to adopt as
working plans. President Wilson, who
will make an address at the conven-
tion December 10, is reported partic-
ularly interested in these plans.
They are summarized thus: First,
rural ministers and church leaders
during the next year will receive pub
llcations issued by the Commission on
Church and Country Life devoted to
the problems OF rural church feder-
ations and combinations. This will
prepare the way for discussion of
church cooperation. Then in each
township or natural community,
churches will be urged to form fed
Grafton, with delegates and ministers
from each church forming superyis-
nry committee to coordinate comnhun-
sty activities. Ultimately this feder-
alton might employ a common minister
and nay him salary adequate to al
low him to undertake wider social
work In many cases these churches
could merge. Denominational connec-
tion with i certain church organization