French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-01-27
BAPTISTS TO PULL FOR A
MILLION NEW MEMBERS.
Radical Project of Definite FiYe-Yea
Program for the Denomination;
Methods of Advance.

MCtuOuS VI AUfduCDo
The present winter is revealing sew
eral new and large and organized pro-
5ects by the leading denominational
bodies. While church unity is still
acceptable as s goal, yet there is no
denying their own identity and eff
ciency. This may be called an era
of intelligent denominationalisn.
None of these deaoplinational pro-
jects is more ambitious or comprehen-
sive or definite than that of the North
ern Baptist Convention, which it calls
its Five Year Program" This was
adopted last year at the Convention IN
Los Angeles, but its impact was not
really felt by the churches until the
present winter. 1t takes months 70
get the full ldenominational machinery
in operation, to quicken the interest
Of the last member of the smallest
church in this widespread Baptist
body.
The program has furnished the key
note for multitude of denominationaI
meetings, big and little. and the signs
are that this will be increasingly the
case.
Baptist sessions of the Laymen,s
Missionary Campaign meetings will
have a definite objective to present to
the men
AS categorically outlined, t'The Five
Year Program includes:
81. A million additions to Eour
churches by baptism.
SO. A missionary force of 1000
men and women in America and the
non-C Christian world.
33. 's33 Two million dol lars 4kl en- :
dowment for the Ministers and Mis-
sionaries Benefit Board.
a. twenty-five student pastors III
universities, one thousand Baptist
students in theological seminaries, ff-
teen thousand students in colleges
and universities and six million dol
lars for additional educational endoW-
ment and equipment at home ard
abroad.
"5. An annual income of six mil
lion dollars for missions and benevo-
lcnce."
A Ringing Note.
The genius of one man may be
traced in this project and it's Htera-
tIre. This man is DR.. Shailer -Math-
ews,- dean of Chicago University. pres
i6ent of the Northern Baptist ConVen
ton and president of the FEEDER"
Council of Churches of Christ IL
America. Only his pen could have
written this ringing prelude to thc
| program:
''This call Of the hour is for con-
structive, cumulative program of ad-
vance so large and so compelling a.
~ fJ
an0 activities, challenge our men OF
| large resources and stir our whole
people with splendid enthusiasm for
the Kingdom of God.
''The objective of this program
| should be the development of every
Church into an evangelistic and social
force in it's community and result
ant mighty impact of our denomina-
ticnal life upon the Nation and the
world"
Tying up the Churches.
"A national committee of which DR.
John M. Moore. % East 26 street, New
York. is the secretary, is at work ji-
recting the prosecution of "The Five
Year Program. Already it has been
definitely related to all the boards and
other agencies of the demon nation
and the output of literature has beer
voluminous and effective. The Bap-
lists, by the way, have long shown 4
skill in the use Of printed matter that
is scarcely matched by any other de
nomination.
The local congregation is the unit Q
all the plans and the first work is Il
| tie it up closely to the denominatoin
| The .oId-fashioned individualism ot
Baptist Churches is passing along witt
that of the Congregational churches
Both bodies have been steadily work
ing toward greater denominations
Capitalization.
The Five Year Program" is not q
brilliant generalization. 1t works out
into a series Of definite detectives and
instructions for every individual churcr
| The larger goals are apportioned Sc
that each congregation may know lis
share and have standard to measure
up to.
The announced goal for co-operat-
ing churches are:
1. One new follower of Christ an
rually for every eight members.
"2 One minister or missionary
produced from its membership during
the fve-year period
SO One of its young people in col
flege for; every one hundred members
or major fraction thereof.
a Gifts by individuals Gin add
Il -