Evening star., 1951-01-31
First Of a Series Of Three Articles Troeine
Importont Trends in Americon Religious


Importont Trends in Americon Religious
Life.
est peak yet," said Episcopal
Bishop Henry Knox Sheriff.,
president of the National Coun-
Gil of Churches of Christ in the
United States.
Shaken by the materialism of a
peril-buffeted world. the churches
have frightened ranks in seeking
to fill the spiritual gap.
The movement marks a new
stage of maturity in the some
times helter-skelter religious life
of America.
Cooperation Gains Momentum.
Its roots trace back to the early
part of the century, but only in
recent years has it gained mo-
mentum and widespread impact.
THE efforts of foresighted men
Of generation ago are now COM
ing to fruition," one church leader
said. 1T has taken generation
for these prophets to be heard"
There still are points of sec
tartan tension-usually arising
from differences on isolated issues,
or doctrinal emphasis.
But the general overall direc-
ton for the majority of United
States churches is toward more
unified effort and cooperation.
The "age of consolidation" is
what some churchmen call it.
Among religious scholars, it's
known as the "ecumenical move
ment."
New Church Federations.
It has brought the complete
merging of several major Protes-
tant groups. More significantly, it
has given rise to church fedora
tions dedicated to broad joint pro-
grams.
Chief of these is the new ma
tional council, launched at the
start of 1851 as the Nation entered
the second half of the Goth CEN
tury.
Analysts called this the most
important religious event since the
reformation of the 1500s in
Europe.
The council includes 20 denomi-
nations-25 Protestant and four
Eastern Orthodox-with nearly 80
million members, and II previ-
ously separate inter -denomina-
tional agencies.
In the Providence of God," the
preamble Of the councils consti-
tuition begins, THE time has come
when it seems fitting more fully
to manifest the essential oneness
of the Christian churches of the
United States :"
Gives Unified Voice.
The alliance gives a majority |
segment of American religious ad-
herents a unified voice, and the
increased strength of collective
prestige. 1t also combines their
support behind a broad program
of education, missionary work.
service and toward guiding the
ethics of society.
Governing policies of the council
safeguard the right of member
bodies to worship as they please.
There Is no control over denomi-
national organization, doctrine or
customs.
While the council specifically
does not foster organic unions,
its development has come hand
finland with a growing tendency
toward such mergers.
In the last 40 years, IA major
church unions have occurred, in
volving % previously separate de-
nominations. Although numerous
small sects have sprung up during
the time, they represent rela-
lively small fragment of the over
all picture.
Supply Pastors Increase.
Unlike the bygone period of
5ealousies, it is now common prac-
tice for minister of one denomi-
nation to occupy a pastorate in
another. These so-called supply
pastors" ordinarily installed when
pulpit cannot be conveniently
filled with a minister of it's own
denomination, often are kept by
the congregation indefinitely.
One authority estimated that
one-f1fth of the churches in some
denominations have pastors who
belong to other Protestant faiths
Nursing School to Honor