Americus times-recorder., 1920-04-18
LEE ST. CHURCH
GOING TO WORK
ON 7-DAY PLAN
Pastor Develops Idea For
New Departure In
Service

Ihe church is standing still. we
have been trying to reach people by
waiting for them to come to US in
stead of US going to them. The
world has progressed, has gone for
ward, while the church has not"
Those are some Of the conclusions
of Rev. Silas Johnson, the young
pastor who came to the Lee Street
Methodist church only year ago af-
ter period of association with 9th
er vlrlle young men in the army,
where he served as chaplain. And
these conclusions have resulted in
Pastor Johnson taking a step in
church work that probably takes the
lead for church progressiveness in
the South. Whereas most church
buildings are put to use only on Sun
day, or at best one other night in
the week for prayer meeting, he has
mapped out and will inaugurate soon
a complete every-nigh -the-week
prOgram-eXcept possibly Saturday
night. He plans to put his church
really to work-congregation and
building-and hopes to make it of
practical use to the community.
mONlllS pICLuIGS are W DG IIH DtCh-
bone Of his plan for service. Acting
on his initiative, the church has just
purchased and installed a cO-.4plete
moving picture outfit, consisting of
projecting machine of high class,
standard aluminium screen, and 9TH
er equipment, including a high grade
stereopticon. The machines have
been installed in a fireproof asbestos
booth constructed in the rear of the
church main auditorium, and the
screen rolls up behind the pulpit.
Religious or educational films will be
shown at frequent intervals on the
moving picture machine. Church
hymns and lectures will be illustrat-
ed by the "still' slides shown by the
stereopticon.
Stewards Behind Him.
81 don't know what the communi-
ty or all of my congregation wiz
think of this Departure" said Mr..
johnson yesterday, "but I'm going
to tell them about it Sunday morn
ing. Before | went ahead laid my
whole plan before our board of stew
ards, and they are behind me to a
man. l told them that l realized
there was one danger or sound OBJ
lection to the moving picture fea-
ture, and this was that it might lead
toward worldliness. But | told them
that if our religion wasn't strong
enough to hold our activities along
the right line it wasn't very strong
religion. They agreed that, while
tits was pretty stiff logic, it was
logic, all right, and they pledged
their support. So we are going to
see what can be done to interest the
people of our congregation and our
ty-particularly our young
people" ,
And here is a list of the various
'nights" of the week as Pastor
Johnson plans his every-night-in-the-
week program:
Sunday and Sunday night-Usual
preaching and other Sunday services.
Monday night.-Literary night;
basement reading room open, with
current wholesome magazines and
books available.
Tuesday night.-Citizenship night;
lectures or discussions of world con-
ditions or current topics, illustrated
by stereopticon pictures.
Wednesday night. - Religious
night; regular mld-WeeK prayer
meeting.
Thursday night.--Mission Study
night; illustrated with colored slides,
costumed tableauX or otherwise.
Friday night.-Social night; the
basement given over to an evening
of play together for the young folks.
There would be many variations
from this outline as occasion arose.
No Less of Religion.
eve won't take anything away
from our religion" said Mr. John
son. at will be the same old time
religion, with an addition of educa-
tional and diverting features to
catch and hold the interest of our
people. There are scores of fine NOV
] ing pictures that are now to be Sc
cured through our Methodist church
Organization, on topics that will
greatly help in church work and as
sist the membership to grasp the
broader aspect of the great activities
of the church 1t is not an amuse-
fCop+ipuad on OaUa 10A