The monitor., 1928-05-18

financial department., which lndlcated
that the A. M. E. Church is growing
financially as well as in membership
and religious influence, Professor
Hawkins launched one of the most
progressive programs ever suggested
at general conference. This pro-
gram was prefaced with a plea to
put business in our religion and re-
ligion in our business" and it was
declared by prominent Churchmen of
! the cloth and laity that if adopted
would serve to solve many of the
problems now faced by the denomina-
ton and make for more satisfied
bishopric, ministry, and laity.
I'm dealing with the work of the
Church." declared Mr.. Hawkins, 1--WE
must consider it as related to five
different groups-the laity, pastors,
presiding elders, general officers, and
bishops" Discussing the plight of
ministers, the speaker criticized the
method of paying ministers as now
prevails in the Church. ''The min
isters," he said, "are sent to the peo-
pie with the understanding that the
laity will arrange and agree upon
basis of payment for service, with so
much cash and other considerations
in keeping with the classification of
the particular charge. The pastor has
nothing to say about when he must
go and so must of necessity agree and
accept what the officers and members
of his congregation decide to pay him.
In some cases the pay is reasonable,
but in most others it is inadequate
and it becomes a daily struggle for
maintenance"
After pointing out the difficulties
brought on by such system and the
fact that the minister's moods are
similar to those of every other serv-
ant of the people, Professor Hawkins
declared that "a higher value should
be placed on the ministry. The best
trained men should be selected and
the field should be made attractive
to that type of men. In every city
there should be church building and
an inviting parsonage to which the
pastor can take his family and find
the comforts of a real home. This al
so applies to presiding elders.
1.-THE minister should know what he
is expected to get and the people
should know what they are expected
to pay, rather than have a running
ancy by saying the pastor gets all
raised on certain Sundays plus all
class dues. Proper attention to these
things will go long way towards
making contented, happy ministry,
and a more hearty cooperation on
the part of faithful and loyal MEM
bership."
Discusses Pay of Bishops
Turning to the bishopric, Profess
sor Hawkins said: "Under our sys-
TEN all of the bishops are on the same
footing as to authority, responsible
ty, and remuneration for service; all
are supposed to work in harmony, CO.
ordinating the work of several episco-
pal districts into that of one great
correctional system. That the bish-
ops stand at the head of this system
is the outstanding feature of our
Metffudism. There is, of course, the
big question as to whether or not the
present pay of our bishops is com
mensurate with the responsibilities
and duties of this office.
"On this point there is considerable
debate by reason of the fact that
there are certain prequisites employ
ed by some bishops which, if consid-
cred in connection with the regular
stipend named in the Discipline make
lowance.
Facing the question bravely,
think all will agree that from a purely
business standpoint, it will be better
for all interests if we would change
this method by paying our bishops a
salary more nearly commensurate
with their services and then make it
mandatory upon the annual confer
ence that no part of the general
funds be diverted from other chan
nels by way of supplementary gifts.
That such condition as exists, has
something to do with the fights made
over assignments of bishops"
In the same vein, Professor Hawk
ms pointed out the weak points of the
methods used to pay general officers
of the Church and suggested that
their pay be commensurate with the
service rendered and what their gem
eral value would be to kindred organ
izations. -