The northwestern bulletin., 1922-06-24
CONTEMPORARIES
RAISE THE STANDARD OF THE MINISTRY

minister sent out a questionnaire to a number of
aymen asking What the church do to attract the
laity?" Among the many reasons assigned in the an
the following: Lift up the ministry
We appreciate demand the part of the laity
for elevated ministry. Surely will resist
effort improve leadership. and especially leaders
who entrusted with oue moral and spiritual welfare
But how shall elevate the ministry?
Under present practices each and every faith
Rules governing the ministry. In churches
the Rules rigid than in Others And it is this
lack of standardization of requirements that makes for
present deficiencies there church organ
izatons.
But what has the laity do with the ministry? Who
preach gospel? men called of COD
the aity? Almost invariably We hear there ques-
tons coming from the minister who challenges the right
of the laity dictate any requirements whatever
Gods Amounted"
To those who deny the aity the right 10 demand an
improved ministry the answer is very plain. Cod in
His admitted omnscience certainly would not cali any
who is incapable of doing Gods is highly
presumptuous think that God will tolerate ignorance
superstition and immortality among his employees, when
himself demands higher standard. Our institu-
tions seek far and wide for the very best available
Our government asks the bravest and best
needs in peace. Can God satisfied with less
Is it fair to that anything all is good enough
for Cod when ourselves demand the very best.
And of church organizations have discarded
the practice of allowing call themselves before
they fit in every respect render the high service
God requires and deserves The presbyterans have
set the standard and all must measure up or as
nearly practicable The Episcopaans would never
think of allowing churchman to the ministry
without having first complied with educational re-
qurements of the church. Special education is part
of the Catholic religion. The are less par
ticuiar. The politics of this church largely in con-
troll and for political expedency many. tolerated
who under other and different circumstances would not
be frocked at ALL And perhaps the Greatest
are the Bap.ists They have standard. They allow
brother to be called who declares himself called
of Cod Any such declaration all sufficient for
the Baptists No would think questioning the ed
ucaonal qualifications of Baptist brother" who open
ly declares that he has been caled Cod preach
Not only is he allowed to preach but there the Bib
cal injunction used for almost any convenience: Hence
forth, let trouble me, in my body the
marks of the Lord Jesus How can be ordered and
directed to seek education before entering upon the
ministry when such divine injunction convenient?
The result is ignorant ministry multiplication of
little struggling churches splits and divisions, and as
many wines and fig trees are ambitious ones
"caed of Cod"
The aity deserves better this kind of leadership
The average layman knows that God requires than
this. The layman balks at this kind of sef-mposed
divinity The laity rebels and remains at home
There is much talk of reorganization of the many
religions. Some such arrangement is needed to emr-
nate the inefficient the ignorant the self styled the
called" minister. The laity demands standardized
leadership for the pulpit Such brave and courageou
step awaits the action of the church organization
Pittsburgh Courier.