The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-04-30

Revival of the rural community a.
social unit is one of the plans of tn,
lnterchurch World Movement.
This is TO be done by making oui
OF the church an active and democratic
institution, striving to meet. not only
the religious needs but the intellect
ual economic, recreational and social
requirements OF the people who live
around it. The community church
which is neighborhood gathering
place, whore people of all stations may
come together for play and instruc
ton as well as for worship. is the
standard church which is the idea
of the lnterchurch World Movement.
How One Church Serves All
The community church at Washing.
ton Park, Denver, is commended as al
example. II serves a community con
tanning $4,000 people. 1t has an edn-
cational building for all types of Sun
day School work, for meetings and
classes. Another wing contains a gym
nasium and space for banquets will
a modern kitchen. There is a meetiuc
hall for political, civic and other kind
Of public GATHERINGS, the hail beina
equipped for motion pictures There
ere club rooms for boys and girls
"Responsih lily for operating TIL
church was ASSIGNED 70 one denpmina
ton" says the Interchurch handbook
It's pastoral supply and gifts come
through regular dcnSminational chan
rels, but its ministry flows out for
the service of the entire community
a church Of this ttpe. with a vigurou
community program supplemeuting il.
spiritual ministry. is performing 6
great service.
WAT the Standard Church Is.
While churches serving the com
munity in this way originated in ami
HI been confined LARGELY to the
ciCies. it is the purpose Of the Inter
church World Movement to develop
the same type Of church in the sma !
towns in rural districts, in place OF
competing religious interests
The church that has not the facili-
gatherings of this sort, in addition To-
facilities for all phases of its rel gious
mission, is not considered up to par
by the InterchurCh World Movement.
A great many churches in America.
particularly in the rural districts where
a one-room buildin- frequently seems
to suffice, are far below par 1t is
the purpose of the lnterchurch move
ment to bring them up to par. by a
Joint effort OF the cooperating demon
nations.
Sociolosists agree that the compare
tive lack Of community life in the
rural districts is one Of the chief
causes for the tendency of the popula-
ton to shift into the towns The
boys and girls find it more attractive
In the city than in the country where
companionship 10 limited, and the so
cial intercourse, which all young peo-
pie demand. is insufficient
Build up Church, Build up Community.
Not only on the WORKOUT New Eng
land farms Is the population gradually
AnON i1S NV Tic SAINT IL True III INT
Northwest, In many places. according
TO those who made exacting rural
surveys for the Interchurch World
Movement.
The decline of the rural church
signslizes the decline Of the rural com
munity. People living near a town
are coming to consider themselves a
part Of the town and their farms
nearby as places where they go to
work during crop season.
Therefore, TO build up the rursi
church as a community center would
be large factor toward building up
the rural community. in the opinion
Of leaders In the Interchurch move
ment.
Much Of the budget which is TO he
pledged April % u May 2. is for TIE
purpose Of revivins The rural church