Evening star., 1923-06-02

The promotional agencies of twenty
of the leading denominations of the
country have just issued a joint
statement concerning their aims and
methods.
The statement is the outgrowth of
a recent conference of representatives
of the promotional agencies held un-
der the auspices of the Federal Coun-
Gil of Churches in Baltimore. After
a discussion for two days by the lead
ers of the various organizations
findings committee was appointed to
formulate the conclusions thus
reached
The statement of these findings is
as follows:
Representatives of the following
forward and promotional movements
of the denominations-Gen board
of promotion of the Northern Baptist
Convention, forward movement of the
Christian Church, CONGREGATIONAL
commission on missions, United Chris
tian Missionary Society OF the Disci-
pies, centennial movement of the
churches of God, department Of ma
tion-wide campaign of the National
Council of the Protestant Episcopal
Evangelical Church. forward move
ment of the Evangelical Synod, for
ward movement of Friends in Amer
lea, committee on conservation and
advance, Methodist Episcopal Church: :
centenary movement of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, forward
movement in the Methodist Protest
ant Church, larger life movement of
the Moravian Church, new era move
ment of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States, progressive pro-
gram of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States, progress campaign
of the Reformed Church in America ,
forward movement of the Reformed
Church in the United States, new for
ward movement of the Seventh Day
Baptist General Conference, united
enlistment movement of the Church
of the United Brethren in Christ, new
world movement of the United Pres
byterian Church-have met in joint
conferences on five occasions during
the past two years under the auspices
of the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America. The
status, problems and achievements of
these movements have been consid-
cred at these two and three day con-
ferences.
Resolutions Adopted.
At the last conference. held in April
at Baltimore, the representatives
present from the various movements
adopted resolutions in part as fol-
lows:
That the constant objective of all
forward and promotional work is to
develop and strengthen the whole
normal work of the individual church
by the larger enlistment of life and
possessions for the service of the
kingdom of God.
That we gratefully recognize the
development of forward and promo
tional work from temporary basis
for special objectiveS to a permanent
basis for the sustained work of the
church through officially established
and properly co-ordfnated agencies.
That foremost in all forward and
promctional work must be the culti-
walton of the ideals of stewardship
of life and possessions.
That the advantages of the budget
system should be carefully considered
by all local churches. and that, when
adopted, there should be thorough
going plan for effectively interpreting
the greatness and the significance of
the whole task for which the COM
bined budget stands.
That the adoption of the budget
system in the local church should not
be allowed to diminish the public
presentations of the missionary and
benevolent work of the churches for
purposes of education.
That We recognize the necessity
for appeals to the general Christian
public, including our constituencies.
for funds to meet special needs to
which 1t Is impossible for Christians
to close their hearts. and feel that it
is unwise for pastors or finance COM
mittees to promise that If quotas are
subscribed no other appeals for funds
will be made during the year.
That we deem il desirable to have
from the various philanthropic and
benevolent organizations financial
statements of gifts received from our
constituent churches.
That we earnestly commend the
ideal o. as much for others as for
ourselves We rejoice in all the en-