Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-04-23


Revival OF the rural community as
q social unit is one of the plans OF the
Interchurch World Movement.
This is to be done by making out
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, where people of all stations, may
come together for play and instruc-
ton as we'll as for worship, is the
standard church which is the ideal
OF the Interchurch World Movement
How One Church Serves All.
The community church at Washing
ton Park, Denver, is commended as au
example. 1t serves a community con-
tanning $4,000 people 1t has an edu-
cational building for all types OF Sun
day School work, for meetings and
classes. Another wing contains gym
nasum and space for banquets with
modern kitchen. There is a meeting
hall for political, civic and other kinds
OF public gatherings, the hall being
equipped for motion pictures. There
are club rooms for boys and girls.
Responsibility for operating this
church was assigned to one denomina-
tiOn,' says the Interchurch handbook.
"Its pastoral supply and gifts come
nhar
nels but its ministry flows out for
the service of the entire community.
A church of this type, with a vigorous
community program experimenting its
spiritual ministry, is performing q
great service
What the Standard Church 10.
While churches serving the COM
munity in this way originated in and
have been confined largely to the
cities, 1t is the purpose OF the Inter
church World Movement to develop
the same type of church in the small
towns in rural districts, in place Of
competing religious interests.
The church that has not the facili-
ties to take care OF various social
gatherings of this sort, In addition to
facilities for all phases Of It's religious
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 building frequently seems
to suffice, are far below par. Il Ia
the purpose OF the Interchurch move
ment to bring them up to par, by a
joint effort OF the cooperating denom-
nations.
Sociologists agree that the compare
tive lack of q 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 1t more attractive
In the city than In the country where
companionship 10 limited. and tina so
cial intercourse, which all young peo-
pie demand, 10 insufficient
Build up Church, Build up Community.
Not only on the worn-out New Eng
land farms Ia the population gradually
moving away: the same Is true OF the
Northwest, in many places. according
TO those who made exacting rural
surveys for the Interchurch World
Movement.
The decline OF the rural church
signalizes the decline Of the rural com
munity. People living near a town
are coming to consider themselves .
part OF the town and their farms
nearby as places where they go to
work during crop season.
Therefore, to build up the rural
church as community center would
be large factor toward building UP
the rural community, in the opinion
of leaders in the Tnterchurch move
ment
Much OF the budget, which Is to be
pledged April 25 to May 2, is for the
e