The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-12-25
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION

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Can Christian Leaders Meet IN,
Coming Worldf" Is the theme OF Q
one-day conference to be sponsored
Jointly by the youth OF the AMI
Zion and AME churches Of Detroi,
on Dec. 20. It is called a Holida,
Vacation Retreat and Is planned
along the lines Of worship, recrea.
ton and study. INSTRUMENTATION
Christian Endeavor seems to be the
bond OF union between them. II
any other bond OF unity is needed
for Christians except Christ. The
Methodist youth decided in Flint
- cew weeks ago 10 disregard the
provision for a Central Jurisdic-
ton" that segregates Negroes from
other people In the church, which
may be considered some thing in the
right direction.
But the Church segregation we
place upon ourselves is lust as
damaging and just as wrong as any
other. What worthwhile institution
in Detroit Is the result Of coopera-
tive effort from Baptists, Methodists
Consregationalists, Presbyterians
and Episcopalians on the basis of
their church life? Look at the
budget OF the Detroit Council OF
Churches and see how we OF the
so-called Negro Church" respond
to such an idea. The Council Of
Churches. by the way, has been
running in Detroit for nearly Is
years. We have learned to be good
UNCONVENTIONAL supporters, an d
learned should be underlined, for
we have not made denominations.
We have learned how to argue
against or for some form OF bap-
tism. or some other point Of doc
trine, but we have not learned how
to cooperate. This is the BIG lesson
for Christian Education. II follows
numerous chapters and difficult as
signments = such as, setting higher.
more essential, more inclusive goals.
and proceeding along practical
common sense lines
Some people thought that Roose-
welt and Churchill would figure to
the end without Chang Kai-shek
and that they would never sit down
in a conference with Stain. but
these national leaders have recog-
nized a fallacy in the competitive
system which brings them at least
close enough to talk TO each other.
OF course. this would have been
considered o waste OF time last
World War. So far the Church. as
we know II, has not taken coopera-
ton seriously. Especially is this true
when principle is contrssted 10 prac-
tice.
The other day a young man got
back home with an honorable dis
charge from the United States
Army. and started TO work on an
idea. He took IL TO the ministers OF
two denominations and TO the Coun-
Gil of Religious Education OF the
Detroit Council OF Churches. What
he wants to do opposes two strongly
drawn lines in Church life - race
and denomination. Now. IL you were
trying 10 work against these two
segregation patterns with what age
level would you start? That's right.
and that's where he started - with
the Youth. He has chosen for
name christian Youth Association
(C.Y.A.)." Then would you begin
on the division OF race or of de-
nomination or on both OF them at
the same time! II you started on
both OF them, you might spread and
UnrzeYr ~ and Hakax np ads-
vance. This II the way Randall Pit
man (our young C.Y.A. friend) felt.
So he has set himself to the am
bilious task OF rallying the youth
OF the Detroit Negro Churches.
"Can Christian Leaders Meet the
Coming World?" II win be a CO.
operative world. II must be.
To make the matter who IL should
be we would be saying that Chris
tisns will bring In the coming
world. When we speak OF meeting
a coming world we concede that a
world OF some kind is on its way.
and the forces that determine what
Il shall be are out OF our hands In
fact. they may be out OF the control
OF the common good. And we will
somehow stumble or blunder into
tomorrow. At Christmas. this GER
tainly comes TO Christians.
We cannot turn over to politicians
and statesmen the job OF bringing
in an improved world as though IL
Is outside Of our line. We must be
the first 10 insist that all must 60
before Him who has the Kingdoms
of men In His hand, knowing that
Il Is from Him alone we have peace,
GOODWILL toward men.