Evening star., 1955-06-04
~ CASPER NAMES

Htilzibns News Editor Of The star
% tie rural and small town
chuxc1I doomed In an America
now characterized by one OF
NOR automobiles in every
family y television set in every
honx9 affd a large city outlooe in
eveI eQnmunity9
Cstkainly the small church in
conifaT1tiyely sparsely settled
areas mas been waging losing
struggle, especially in the heavily
populated States. Until recently
little was done to fight back, but
now ministers who prefer the
pleasures Of rural and small
town congregations are begin
ming TO. take aggressive steps in
revitalizfng this aspect Of
Americas rich religious heri-
tage.
What are some Of the things
they have to overcome9
Drive to City Churches
The automobile is the pri-
mary reason the rural church is
losing ground" explained the
Rev. Dewitt Dickey, pastor of
the Methodist Church at Mount
Airy, : Md. "The tremendous
mobility it gives people has
changed the habits of many
churchgoers. I know of people
living on farms or in small towns
who don't go to the church near
them but drive 20 or more miles
to a51arge city church. They
are mainly rural non-farmers
who live in the country and
think in the city. They enjoy
the seclusion of the rural area
but: still want the advantages
Of the big city church"
Another factor Mr.. Dickey
noted was the exodus Of people,
especially the young people. from
farm and small town sections to
the larger cities.
"T'he family farm has gone
and the young people are now
going to the city for economic
reasons" he said.
But Mr.. Dickey and others of
like mind are spearheading a
drive to fight the prevailing
trend.
Era Of Good Feeling
There are several things they
can do. One is to emphasize, by
putting into practice. the ad-
vantages small churches in bu-
collie settings have in social and
community relationships. Many
of thsse churches have opened
the!r doors to civic and similar
local groups for their activities.
This has gradually brought about
an era Of good feeling between
the congregation and the towns
people.
Another is to interest young
people Of the All Clubs in be-
coming leaders in their church
organizations. Better educated
ministers. able to talk on equal
terms with their college-bred
members are keeping these peo-
pie IN the congregations. And
still another factor is a definite
move among these clergymen to
see that they and their laymen
are elected to important posts
and boards of the denomination
nationally. This kind of prestige
helps the morale of ministers and
their members.
The awards made this week at
the Methodist Baltimore Annual
Conference meeting of the first
town and country church devel-
opment program were a concrete
spur toward boosting rural
church morale.
"Rural Church Of Year"
First place as the conferences
Rural Church of the Year."
went to Wards Chapel, Ran
dallstown. Md. and second place
to Wesley Grove Church, Har-
mans Md. Each congregation
received a plaque, with the hon.
or being given for several counts.
They were for the general care
taken of the church's property
and equipment, the administra-
ton. by minister and laity of the
CONGREGATIONS affairs, and the
kind Of varied program carried
on by the church.
In the Baltimore annual con-
ference 1873 of the 1888 churches
belong IN the rural or small town