The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-28
.SENSATIONALISN
URGED.BY BISHOP
Of IN. E CHURCH
Ministers Asked to. Maintain
Dignity But Be Bright
and Attractive.

Brother, you aren't worth the
power to blow you up unless you
are a sensationalist-in the right
sense OF that word" declared Bis
hop Charles Bayard Mitchell OF
st. Paul, Mimi, who is presiding
over the Methodist Episcopal con-
ference; when he spoke upon
Questions Which Face the City
Pastor" at $3.50 o'clock this morn
ing.
The first question which faces
the city pastor is. will he make
a sympathetic alliance with the
city," said Bishop Mitchell. "a
community senses new minis
tefs attitude at once" he con-
tinued, "and every city has civic
pride Sympathetic instead OF
talking adverse criticism! The
finest Introduction to a commune
ity is to see all the good and to be
blind to be bad, for a time"
The second question, he said,
is "Will-he regard himself as a
permanent resident? with an un-
limited period of pastorate we
now sustain a much larger length
of pastorate for a minister, max
ing 1t possible for Methodist pas
tors to serve on the school boards,
library committees, commercial
boards, etc. and thus broaden and
enhance their influence"
The third question which faces
the city pastor, he continued ala
he to be known as a public de.
PENDENT rather than an adverse
critic?"
"a community understands that
the new Methodist minister is an
exponent Of moral and religious
forces in the city, butfthat pastor
will get a hearing who waits un.
til he has. worked his way into the
hearts Of the community before he
attacks said Bishop Mitchell.
The feurt question U.s. what
shall beyhs relation TO the various
t1ciffc forces the Scity press and
the schools? g5sssS'',5 ~ 81 s1gs.
"a pastor has rained great
point when he haS gained the rel
spect ,of that creator Of public
opinion the press. Play for IT.
And visit the schools, even though
you have no children in them.
Show your interest In school work
+, Address high school audiences
whenever possible. Cooperate
with the women's clubs. Join ths
Rotary and Kiwanis clubs"
The fifth question according to
the bishop is What shall be your
relation to other pastors and
churches?-How shall / regard
them, as co-partnsrs or conEostl,
tors?
Say kind things about them .
urged Bishop Mitchell. mo man
ever goes down by pushing an
other man up. Never make fun OF
speak Of the weakness OF other
denominations"
1.-THE sixth question which con.
fronts the city pastor is how to
make the church attractive. Our
churches have become humdrum
to the unconverted man or woman.
He, or she, stays away from church
| because It doesn't interest him, or
her. We are in a current that is
against us and how we can stem
1.-THE tide is our question. We must
| maintain dignity and solemnity
yet be bright and attractive. This
can be done through "a study of
commercial and social conditions.
Create an atmosphere OF good
cheer. Make your church attrac.
tive, but do not hover 1t to the lev.
ell Of vaudeville.
Would Create Sensation
IAN earnest, jealous. minister
wants to create sensation. Let the
people know you are in town; let
them know where, your church Is
and for what you stand. There
won't be unjust criticism II you
are sincere, but you can't fool the
people. They will soon know wheth.
er you are only advertising or whe.
Their you are really sincere.
Are you going to be a four
flusher or man with a pr 'ram?"
asked Bishop Mitchell. He con
tfnued. "a wise minister doesn't
preach his best sermon on his first
Sunday. No, he waits until his
congregation begins'to ts:nk that
they know just about what kind
OF preacher hesis and then he
breaches his best sermon and has
them guessing again, Be a man
with a program. Make a long
plan end then have the undying
enthusiasm and unflagging energy
to carry 1t out.
THE third year, in the same
place. for pastor is the hardest.
The first year no should study the
proposition, the second year he
should start to work, but the third
year4he will have to convince his
church'that heiis the man for the
place and, the, hour. If a pastor
can get through the third year he
Is safe, for the fourth year will
be easy. the fifth will be happy,
the sixth will be heavenly and .ths
| seventh will he p1nrinuR ctr. Tha