The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-21
Team Work Triumphs

Terse comments on the uniform pray-
er meeting topic of the Young Peo-
pies societies-Christian Endeavor,
etc--For September %: How we
Should Work Together" John 1920
Pc
Political parties nowadays seem to
depend more upon the efforts of their
workers than upon their principles.
Iney nave learned the power of or
ganlzatlon and personal activity; and
that is the direct individual influence
winch usually counts for most On
the other hand the church, the Oldest
organization under the stars, seems to
nave peen unable to make use of
| TINS law of efficiency. She has de-
! pended principally upon the procla-
nation of her principles. BY the sheer
might Of abstract truth, reinforced, it
/ is true, by supernatural Spirit, she
/ mas won her way. Doubtless it has
been a strategic blunder for her TO he
SO unmlndfm of the power which re-
SIDES in personal work; latterIy
christianity has awakened to this law.
The enlistment and organization and
/ specialization of church workers is a
characteristic of the present period.
| More helpers mean more achievement
| The church should not pattern after
/ the political parties in the subordina-
| ton OF principles to activity; vet she
should to an ever increasing degree,
make every person who incarnates her
principles worker therefor, so that
her claims upon the world may be
pressed home more persistentIy and
directly.
Many and curious are the bIunders
| made by organized Christianity but
none is more common or stupid than
the bfunder of expecting one man, the
pastor to embody in himself all the
qualifications for the successful ad-
ministration of the church. The mod
ern parish expects its minister to be
able to preach like a prophet, visit
| ike district nurse or a life insur-
ance agent, conduct business matters
IKE a merchant or a banker, shine
socially like dancing master. remem-
Der individual family affairs like a
politician and in all things, small and
great, to be the errand boy of the
| congregation. Imagine the big bust
ness house in which the proprietor
tried to be manager, buyer, bookkeep-
er, salesman and messenger, The plain
truth is that the modern minister is
not given half chapce to do his
proper work. He is called to preach
and to be shepherd: two mutually
| interdependent forms of service For
these he should be given leisure The
average city pastor, tho, spends most
of his time doing t. SKIS which could as
well, or better, be done by volunteer
workers from his congregation. That
they they do not do so, and that the
preacher is permitted to waste his
force and impair. his powers, implies
a woeful lack of sagacity somewhere.
The twentieth century church cannot
enter into her proper heritage of use
fulness until her members also be-
come workers
Fellowship in work is one of works
rewards.
When we labor with God we find
ourselves in the ompany of all the
worlds best workers.
Our conception of fellowship is
broadened when we remember that
it is spiritual, and that neither time
nor distance limits it. The Christian
today may have fellowship with
Paul and with Patton. The oneness
of all of Christ's workers is a thrill
ing thought, and it should inspire
us to be more worthy of the goodly
company in which we find ourselves
Working with others is educational
Our co-laborers lift US up to higher
ideals, to nob1er standard of duty and
to stronger courage in service. Many
a worker has been made by associa-
: ton with other workers.
Disagreement among Christian
workers robs Christ of glory. Unless
his disciples stand close together
they cannot do honor to his name
One of Christ's significant statement.
is, by this shall all men know tina
: We are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another" A united church up
lifts Christ The oneness of believer,
proclaims the greatness of Christ
The fellowship of the saints declare
their faithfu1ness to the Saviour
i 1t is not good for man to worl
alone God seldom calls his serva MT
to be solitary workers His methot
l has ever been to have his follower
| work in companies. No man has bee1
Lat ka &,