The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-03-13
WOULD v REVIVE THE :.
!. FAMILY. As UNI! :!
Church Heads Seek to Stimulate
Common Interest and Offset
:: Too Much IndividuaIism.

! Saving the American family from
"over-emphasized individualism" is an
Z nounced as a leading purpose of the
New World Movement of Northern
Baptists.
'There is, too much talk of living
ones own life and too little Of the unit
1ood,",s, said pr. II. A. Heath of the Gen.
|, eral Board of Promotion of the North
ern Baptist Convention. 1T is an un-
usual family that has any vital common
interest
81 { TO unity the family in it's church life
Ct least 10000 Baptist churches
throughout the country are being re-
Sfganized on the basis of what is
Known as the Family Group Plan.
Every local church Of the denomina-
ION in the Northern states will be d.
Nded into family groups, with not more
than ten families in q group; 4 leader
yin be appointed, and the various
group leaders, with the pastor, will
form 4 church cabinet to put local and
denominational programs into effect.
"Family Sunday will be observed at
least once each three months in all the
Baptist churches in the country. Ev-
SrythinE. about the services, songs, text
md sermon, will be chosen from the
Deint of view Of interesting the fanai-
y. 4embers Of the family win be ask
q to stt together, and in thousands Of
1pws Of seats Ii the, United States f.
tier will head the row and tow-head
~ win occupy the end seat,
Christian leaders say that family
1rayers are held at the present time
II net more than one out Of every ten
families Of church members. The Bap-
DIST campaign will make an effort to
1ev1ve the custom In all the homes Of
t1at determination.
< The Various members Of each family
grs1p in the church win be expected to
e0tertain each other in their homes.
Since these divisions will be made
without reference to social status, per:
haps on an alphabetical basis or in
some other equally impartial way, this
Will mean real test Of Christian de-
mocracy. The leaders believe that the
members Of the various congregations
will come through this acid test tri-
umphantly.
. brotherhood ought to be an actual
working principle in our churches and
net an idle word" DR.. Heath said. If
1t Is not an actual working principle
this is the time for us to find it out.
II there is Christian snobbishness it
should be uprooted. But, as matter
Of fact, the Family Group Plan is be-
Ing met with favor wherever it is being
tried out in our churches, and families
}, write in that they welcome this oppor-
tunity to mingle with those Of varying
viewpoints"
Family weekend meetings will also
be introduced into many local Baptist
churches, at which the various men,
hers Of the family will come together
for readings, recitations, music, games
and chat These programs will not
necessarily be religious at all, the
church leaders say. The church can
safely be used for family enjoyment in
these modern times, they declare.
pr. Heath contends that this reor-
ganization Of the church on the family
basis is both wise and natural.
'"sThe family is the natural division
within the church as well as outside Of
It," he said. 1.-THE Baptist Church is
simply recognizing this fact in the New
World Movement. II the movement re-
suits in a stronger Welding Of family
ties and in helping to settle the nation
d discomfort through the mingling Of
various classes tie church, tie home
and the nation will all be the better for
IT"