Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-08-03
The Country Church Problem
and Task.

. nroblem as it is a task and an OPP
p~ortunity. 1t does not present US with
peculiar problems so much as it pre-
aents us with varied tasks and chai-
lenges our earnestness.
The chief distinction between
country people and. city people, and
the only distinction of Importance
is the con servatism of those IN the
country. This makes them more inert,
which gives society a much needeo
ballast. To change this inertia into
momentum is the task.
Some things can be done by taklng
time. which cannot be done at all II
+oo much haste is used. The inertia
of an unorganized mass of conserva-
tive people has to be overcome by de-
grees. Energy applied too suddenly
NAV prove disastrous to the unity OIL
the situation. A few select souls can
he found in almost any ountr
church who can ge moved by sunary
methods. But it is the great mass
that constitutes what is called the
"problem!" The process or metnou
that will reach the commonality OF
campaigns of enlistment will not do
If. though a few may be helped by
them. Occasional rallies may be use
fnl hut cannot be depended upon for
permanent results.
Yet too many of US have tried to
content ourselves by using rallies
etc, to inspire and instruct along
progressive lines. But tie average
man lets the inspiration of such an
occasion subside before he gets his
into the road to start home. AS
for the instruction, he did not get
that, except perhaps in general
terms. Yes in general terms. That
yery fact is what makes our program
seem visionary to the average u
try church member. Lack of definite
ness and detail in instruction has
been one of our weak points. 1t would
be an easy matter for the pastor OF
a country church to carry on all the
departments of its work if he had at
his command a sufficient number OF
lieutenants who were enthused,
trained and ready for service. He can
not do it all by himself. After making
a few futile attempts to do so, he may
discover that he cannot and shift the
leadership of some department to
some member. When that n lets the
organization die on his hands the av-
erage pastor becomes discouraged
and ceases his efforts along these
lines. Soon he is in the rut with the
folks and soothes his conscience with
the memory of the efforts he has
made.
Many a pastors conscience has
been doped with just such a memory.
And it is such a satisfying condition
to us poor mortals to know we have
a convenient antidote for a disturb
ing conscience.
In any church the pastor alone
can do almost nothing but preach,
baptize, visit, marry, bury, etc. He
cannot carry on the specialized or
CARNATIONS. But the country pastor
with enough qualified helpers can do
almost anything in his church the
town or city pastor can do in his.
The inevitable conclusion then is that
his first task is to take the most
promising of the raw material in
hand and begin to properly train it
for service.
Right here most of US wish to
pause for reflection and feel inclined
to retrace our steps, which are not
many, back to the monotony of u
former ways. However, brethren, if
we are in earnest about the country
church situation, let US consider a
little further.
The material for leadership can be
found in the country church. Yes,
and of as good in native talent and
in moral stamina.
To do the necessary training re-
quires time and work, which perhaps
explains why there is not more of it
doe. 1t takes persistent, patient,
continuous, tactful work. Often it
must have a small beginning, but re-
member the mustard seed. 1t may
sometimes seem like a misplaced eff
fort, but remember the leaven. The
pastors skill and faith may both be
tested in the process. But this work
must he done If we are to build for