The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1922-03-04
Federal Councils Census lndl-
Gates Excess of Congrega-
tons Over Ministers.
say CONCLUSIONS At FAULT
Or z. O. Watson Takes Issue with
Statement That Shortage Exists
Points to Wide Division OF Work
Among Clerqy-System Faulty.

Washington, D. C.-Church congre-
CATIONS outnumber ministers by more
than $4,000, it was disclosed here Dy
returns in nationwide census con-
Quoted by the Federal Council OF
Churches.
Church organizations or congrega-
lions throughout the United States
number 236,5SS, the Federal council an
nounced. The total number OF or
dained ministers in the country is 2ol'-
$50. a difference of 35,30S.
These figures include Protestant
Catholic, Jewish and all non-sectarlan
bodies. it was explained, or practicai-
ly every known variety OF reilglous
| thought.
The returns show big increase over
the returns to the United States census
bureau made by churches in an onlclai
| count in 1916. At that time there were
227. 4S7 church congregations and lsl.-
296 ministers.
Or. Watson's Comment.
In connection with the returns, Rev.
| DR.. E. o. Watson, secretary OF tho
| Washington branch of the council and
/ the man who conducted the present
count, said:
"a report is being circulated
throughout the country to the effect
that religion Is short more than 3d.
600 ministers or religious leaders.
| do not know who is responsible fol
| the report nor do l know the motives
behind it. Perhaps the report was
nut out with q constructive purpose
Perhaps not.
There is little to show, however
that men are not responding to thu
call of the ministry or that churche:
cannot obtain the services of minister!
where they are needed. Our returns
do show that there fAre many mor'
church congregations~than ministers
This, l believe, has always been tn
case. The big question, however, i
whether this means shortage of min
listers.
"Many congregations in countr
places Share ministers with other con
gregations. In such cases 1t canno
be said that there is shortage Q
ministers. In some cases one ministe
has as many as five church congrega
lions under his charge. This is usual
ly due to choice by the congregation
concerned.
"In many sections of the countr
churches are five or six miles fror
the nearest town. But the minlste
has his residence in the town wher
a large part of his congregation live
These members want their ministe
near them, not out in the country.
; such cases the census figures retur
the country church as without mil
lister.
Case Of Friends Cited.
> 'In some denominations like II
Friends there are no ministers
r these special circumstances tend
n make it appear that there is a sEor
+ age of ministers or not enough to {
/. around. Whether there really is
shortage and the extent of 1t cann
be learned except through a speei
count taken for that very purpos
) SO far as | know no such count hi
ever been made.
!. "In the count which the FEEDER
council has just concluded no effo
was made to determine the number
ministers who are retired. We simp
Il know that there are in the Unit
l. States 201.2S0 persons fully ordain
). and competent to accept charges.
It "Some of the Protestant denomin
e tons have not yet succeeded ia dew
IS ing system of bringing the rninist
n to the church. In these denominatio
: there are churches without minisie
lie and ministers without churches. II
y is due to q lack OF system for maxi