The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1919-11-19
CHURCH SURVEY
GOOD RESULTS
INFORMATION OF MUCH VALUE
TO EVERY DENOMINATION
WILL BE AVAILABLE
COUNTY COUNCIL, REPRESENT
ING ALL DENOMINATIONS
WILL BE NAMED SOON

The Interchurch World Movement
of North America, an agency of the
Protestant denomination of thi:
country for the gathering of statistic;
and inforation relative to the religi
Gus and social conditions existing ir
every county in the entire country
has undertaken to survey Blount
county, thru the department OF
Social Science of Maryville College
and with the aid of the variou:
churches of this community.
The movement does not aim al
ary church union or federation noi
| does it touch upon church creeds OIL
affect church doctrines. 1t is simply
an agency for securing information
which may be used to the advantage
of every church in the county in for
warding it's work of bringing the
gospel to every man, woman and
child in the limits of the county. The
movement was called into being by
the church boards of the nation for
this work and has been endorsed by
practically every Profess ant denomi-
nation.
A special county survey worker
has been appointed who will work in
close touch with the pastors and
church leaders of the county in Sc
curing his information. AS rapidly
as possible, coun.y council, consist
ing of representatives from every de-
nomination in the county, will be ap-
pointed and he will work with the
advice and assistance of this council
as soon as it is appointed.
After the necessary data is secured,
1t will be sent to the headquarters of
the movement in New York, where a
highly trained corp of experts will
put the material into proper shape,
drawing graphic maps of the county
which will show the location of all
churches, their spheres of influence,
the place of residence of the various
pastors in relation 10 the field of
their service, the roads, railroads and
other means of communication by
which the people can reach their
churches, and similar information
which will tell at glance just how
thoroughly the county is covered by
religious influence and the areas that
are left without such influence and
are in need of intensive work.
AS soon as this is done, the maps
and statistics will be returned here
and placed in the hands Of the de-
nominational boards, county council
and the various churches to do with
as seems best to hem. 1t will prob
ably reveal conditions which the
churches never fully realized that ex-
listed. 1t will probably show how the
situation can be met in a way that
never before occurred to those who
have been forwarding the religious
work of the community. But what
ever program is drawn up, will be
done entirely by the churches of his
county, without dictation from the
Interchurch World Movement or any
outside influence, although the move
ment will still stand ready to render
any assistance to the local churches.
The survey has already been finish
ed in number of counties of the
sta e. The churches there have
shown a cordial willingness to CO.
operate among one another and with
the representatives of the movement
in making the survey that has been
highly gratifying to those in charge
of the work. Cooperative councils
are being rapidly formed. One such
council in the city of Atlanta has
been in operation for several years,
long before he present movement
was thought of, and is composed of
Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians,
Episcopalians, Lutherans, Disciples OF
Christ, and other Protestant demo
limitations represented in the city. 1t
is serving an increasing useful pur-
pose in the great city in which i. is
located.
The survey in this county is near
ing completion and any who desire
regarding the work
which i sbeing undertaken can obtain
it by communica ing with Professor
Arthur F. Southwick, of Maryville
College.