The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-05

leaders admit that.
The personality OF the minister
his understanding OF the significance
OF this marching cavalcade, hts &C
ceptance Of the new deal in ma
tional government. the great mean
ing OF the overthrow Of child labor
program for curing poverty and
nOnemplOyment-all Of these have
played and are playing a great part
on this cure Of worried people
whether spiritually. physically or
economically.
Momentum to Increase
OF course. some times the factor
that the preacher is not liked" BY
his congregation-that DR.. Evans
admits. but he contends that aver
age conditions viii measure up in
the various church districts OF the
Protestant church.
The church has had a program.
Calls for cooperation signed by ma
tional leaders in the Protestant.
Catholic and Jewish churches is IN
the hands Of DR. Evans for i'm
mediate action
The cavalcade will increase its
strength as people become happier
after the illness wears of.
So a new program. a greater CO.
operation between all faiths, will
cement into perfection the new
religious and social deal.
Is the Protestant church men,
berShip growing?" I asked DR..
Evans.
Five to 7 per cent yearly" he
told me.
Common Sense Foundation
To meet this increased interest
DR.. Evans has called upon pastors
Of the association to conduct in
tensive evangelistic campaigns this
years. bearing in mind the particu-
lar needs Of their communities"
The church federation has divided
the city into sixteen districts. Pro-
grams have been arranged for mass
activities OF these churches regard
less Of what creed.
Methodist. Presbyterian. Disciples
of Christ, Baptist and all the others
are marching together for the
greatest community benefit.
These programs are concerned
with wages, poverty. charity and the
like in every community.
DR.. Evans struck an essential
keynote Of the entire proposition
when he told me that "as a whole
you will find church life controlled
with a whole lot of common sense. +"
Deeper Note Is Heard
The understanding OF this com
mon sense and deeper note" in
church activities is voiced by DR..
John G.. Benson, a Methodist pastor
in Terre Haute. New York, Detroit
and other cities for thirty-three
years and at present superintendent
of the Methodist hospital in Indian
apolis
On Sunday DR.. Benson Is preach
ing from a Presbyterian church in
this city. and he has preached in
churches of about every denomina-
ton in the city.
He told me that he has noticed
increased interest and attendance in
all denominations although adj
hitting that there ARE too many
churches. we have an increase at
tendance in all Methodist churches "
He pointed out the very large
gains in the new North NJ. E. church
on North Meridian street.
DR.. Benson has found that people
are interested in the sermons Of the
pastor when he has something
definite to say new JOY to give. a
sound social problem to discuss and
the pointing out of the possibilities
of human life
Challenge in Program
Ministers have learned the les
son Of not trying TO paint the bad
things of life in too attractive form.
DR. Benson told me that he learned
that lesson years ago and made a
resolution.
That resolution and his great
knowledge of the social trend has
caused him to recognize that the
dominating thing in church attend
ance today is the service note"
He contends that youth today is
looking for a challenging program
of service more than to preaching or
anything else"
Social work is offering a great
adventure today He sees that il
isn't so much the life TO come" but
the emphasis is the life that is
Youth Being Attracted
II Is this challenging program
of putting the Kingdom Of God so
1t may become a foundation for our
city that is attracting youth in
greater numbers than ever into In
dianapolis churches. DR.. Benson ana
other great leaders see that.
L am convinced that IL is this
challenge of the personality of the
church. the challenge of its program
of service all on a Spiritualized social
basis which is attracting young peo-
pie we haven't had before"
And the cavalcade takes on new
regiments OF young people.
Then the new attitude. What is It?
The church used to say thou
shalt" Or. Benson told me. That S
passe. The church now says you
CAN"
Ready for New Deal
Also. DR.. Benson contends the
minister is a new social prophet. -
The church has not been asleep
II was ready fer the new day OF
greater church Importance based
upon a program of service and Of
challenge.
All denominations have been
ready for the new deal in re-
ligious life.