The Challenge of the Country Part 19

A few weeks ago there came from an ambitious and active country minister (who evidently wanted a city church) a tabulated, type-written statement of his work for the year. According to widely accepted standards it was evidence of his efficiency and the success of his church. It gave the number of sermons he had preached, the calls he had made, the prayer meetings he had led, the Sunday school sessions attended, the number of conversions and additions to his church members.h.i.+p, the number of families added to his parish roll, the number of people he had baptized, married and buried; the average attendance at all services, the size of his Sunday school, the amount of money raised for church expenses and for benevolences, the sums expended for repairing the property,--for all of which we were asked to praise the Lord. To be sure, it was a rather praiseworthy record, and, on the strength of it, this particular country minister was called to a city church! He will not be any happier there, his salary will not go any farther there, and he will probably have less influence; but he has attained the dignity of a _city_ minister, the goal of many a man's ambition. Alas that so many of us seem to forget that the Garden of Eden was strictly rural; and that it was only when mankind was driven out of it that they went off and founded cities!

This case is a typical one. We are still too apt to reckon the success of a church in statistics reported in the denominational Yearbook. The book of Numbers is a poor Gospel. Let us not disparage the importance of adding forty people to the church members.h.i.+p, or doubling the size of the Sunday school, or tripling the benevolences, or increasing the congregations.

These things are all splendid, every one of them, and indicate a live church and an active, consecrated minister; but they are not ultimate tests of a church's efficiency.

_The Test of Its Efficiency_

We must admit that the real business of a Christian Church is not to swell its members.h.i.+p roll or to add to the glory of its particular sect or to raise enough money for its own support and keep its property painted, nor even to get the community into the church. _The business of the church is to get the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ into the community and thence into all the world._ If it is not doing that it is not succeeding. It is succeeding only in proportion as it is accomplis.h.i.+ng that; for its business is to Christianize that community.

Dr. Gladden is right when he says that the test of the efficiency of the church must be found in the social conditions of the community to which it ministers. To be sure the church should emphasize evangelism and the need of church members.h.i.+p. Let it add to its strength, in order to become a strong, effective organization. But let it remember that this is but a means to an end. Let it keep in mind the immediate object of its work, to _Christianize its community_.

I would say then, a country church is efficient if it not only gets its people "right with G.o.d" but also right with one another; if it not only saves them for the life of heaven, but helps them to begin the heavenly life right now; if it not only furnishes opportunity for the wors.h.i.+p of G.o.d, in simplicity and truth, but also proves the sincerity of its wors.h.i.+p in deeds of Christian service; if it furnishes spiritual vision and power, faith, hope and love, those unseen things that are eternal, but also mints these essentials of religion in the pure gold of brotherly sympathy and kindness.

_The Church's Broad Function: Community Service_

The efficient church will not only perform the priestly function of mediating between G.o.d and men, until in the holy place men feel the hush and peace and power of G.o.d's presence. It will also inspire men in a practical way to perform the duties of life. It will not only bring men into the conscious presence of G.o.d. It will somehow bring the love of G.o.d into the lives of men. It will increase the kindness and brotherliness and sympathy of men and women toward each other. It will stimulate fair-dealing in all business relations and put an end to injustice toward the weak. It will help to reduce poverty, vice and crime. It will encourage pure politics and discourage graft. It will set a high standard for the play life of the community and make amus.e.m.e.nts purer and more sensible. It will even endeavor to raise the level of practical efficiency on every farm, making men really better farmers because they are real Christians. It will help to make more efficient homes and schools, to give every boy and girl a fair chance for a clean life, a sound body, a trained mind, helpful friends.h.i.+ps and a useful career.

The efficient country church will definitely serve its community by leading, when possible, in all worthy efforts at community building, in uniting the people in all cooperative social endeavors for the general welfare, in arousing a real love for country life and loyalty to the country home; and in so enriching the life of its community as to make "country living as attractive for them as city living, and the rural forces as effective as city forces."

_Its High Responsibility: Spiritual Leaders.h.i.+p_

The inaugural program of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 suggests the business of his followers: to minister to the vital necessities of needy men. Broadly speaking, every work for human betterment is "our Father's business," yet the supreme function of the church is spiritual. It stands in a material world for an unseen G.o.d and an eternal life. It must constantly furnish spiritual vision and inspiration to weary men and women for the living of their lives. To do this, the church must provide the opportunity for public wors.h.i.+p, in sincerity, impressiveness and truth. It must somehow bring the life of G.o.d into the lives of men.

Surely the church owes the community a prophetic service also, bringing G.o.d's great messages to human lives, throbbing with divine sympathy for all human needs, courageously challenging the man to whom the vision comes, to live the better life, and offering practical and immediate help, the help of Christ, to live that life. The spiritual service of a vital church will include a vivid portrayal of the Christ, his person, his teachings, his radiant character, his saving power, the dynamic for life which flows from him into every life which accepts his comrades.h.i.+p. All this and more.

We should avoid however the dangerous distinction between the sacred and the secular. The superficial exaltation of the spiritual function of the church is sometimes merely a cloak for laziness. Often a well conducted church social has spiritual results and a boys' camp becomes a "means of grace." Unless a man is pure spirit, the work of the church is more than "saving souls." Soul and body are in this life inseparable and interdependent. A saved man must be redeemed soul and body, in mind and spirit, as well as in all his social relations.

A religion which aims merely to save a man's soul, and otherwise neglects him, is superficial, and fails to appeal to a whole man's manhood. The subtle reactions of life warn us that the _soul's environment_ must be redeemed, or it stands little chance of permanent salvation. Here is the nexus between individual and social salvation. Christian social service is necessary to conserve the results of evangelism. Unite them, and the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

_Let the Church Furnish Dynamic and Leaders.h.i.+p_

But the church should not scatter its energies and "dilute its evangelism"

by attempting to do everything as an organization. Let it discharge its responsibility for social welfare _indirectly_ when possible, through other organizations or individuals. Its broadest service will ever be, as in the past, to furnish the inspiration and the dynamic for many secondary agencies for social service and human betterment. But the church must either do the needed work or _get it done_.

It should duplicate no social machinery or effort, but should supplement all other local inst.i.tutions and perfect their service by its own service of the higher life of the community. Let the church be the climax of the social, educational, philanthropic, health-restoring, peace-preserving forces of the community. Ideally it will federate them all in community leaders.h.i.+p. Where these forces are lacking, the church should a.s.sume these functions, if the community welfare demands it; as actually takes place on many a mission field.

Well might every country church adopt this platform, adapted from the Open Church League: "Inasmuch as the Christ came not to be ministered unto but to minister, this church, moved by his spirit of ministering love, seeks to become the center and source of every beneficent and philanthropic effort, and to take a leading part in every movement which has for its end the alleviation of human sorrow and suffering, the saving of men and the bettering of this towns.h.i.+p as a part of the great Kingdom of G.o.d. Thus we aim to save all men and all of the man, by all just means; abolis.h.i.+ng so far as possible the distinction between the religious and the secular, and sanctifying all means to the great end of saving the world for Christ."

II. Some Elements of Serious Weakness.

It is with no lack of sympathy for country ministers or churches that we offer these suggestions as to what is wrong with the country church. Often the conditions of the environment are largely responsible, and sometimes the churches are not to blame. Many of them are facing their difficulties n.o.bly, not a few of them successfully. In fact many country churches are doing better than most city churches. By way of diagnosis the following brief suggestions are offered to account in part for the serious difficulty in the present situation.

1. _A Depleted Const.i.tuency._ The first element in the problem is the _inevitable isolation_ in the open country and the depletion of population in thousands of villages. We find often not merely loss of numbers, but impoverished vitality in many of those who remain. This is _weakness in personality_, always an ultimate problem.

2. _Economic Weakness._ Impoverished soil, poor agricultural conditions, and bad farming are found all too frequently. The church immediately suffers. It is no mere coincidence that the best country churches are always found among successful farmers. The church can hardly be more prosperous than its community.

3. _Lack of Social Cooperation._ Extreme individualism is still the curse of the open country. There has been little cooperation yet in industry, recreation, or religion. Consequently the church has been too often merely an occasional congregation of separate individuals with few interests in common; instead of a working body of vitally interested people, organized for the redemption of the community.

4. _Wasteful Compet.i.tion._ This particular factor is not very serious in the South; but elsewhere there are usually found too many rival churches, selfishly struggling for life, but doing little to serve their community.

This condition is the result of excessive individualism, selfishly insisting on its own peculiar sect; or the depletion of a once populous village; or the early blunders of denominational "strategy," starting a church where it never was needed.

5. _Poor Business Management._ We are seldom likely to find any business system in the country church. As a rule they have no financial policy, no plan for the future, small salaries for the ministers and often in arrears. Their short-sighted method is simply "the short-haul" on the pocket-book, with a subscription paper; planning only for the current year. Inefficiency of course results from such poor business.

[Ill.u.s.tration: This chart shows a portion of Center County, Pennsylvania, in which there are 16 churches within a circle with a radius of three miles. There are 24 churches within the larger circle having a radius of four miles. Several other churches are in close proximity, making in all the 29 churches shown in this spa.r.s.ely settled community.]

6. _Moral Ineffectiveness._ Many country churches have lost the respect of their communities and their local support, because of their lack of vital religion which makes character and deeds of spiritual power. They do not prove their genuine brotherliness in an unselfish service of the community. Amid their petty rivalries, they are struggling merely to save themselves rather than the community, forgetting the words of Jesus: "He that would save his life shall lose it."

7. _Narrow Vision of Service._ The country church is seldom progressive and has little idea of the modern social vision. Few churches have yet seen their great chance to serve broadly the interests and needs of the whole community. They flatter themselves upon their faithfulness to spiritual standards; though the fact is, they are neglecting a great opportunity and hence missing the loyal appreciation of their people.

8. _Inadequate Leaders.h.i.+p._ The country ministry is too apt to be an untrained ministry, sadly lacking in professional preparation. Lack of a strong personality in pulpit and parsonage makes church success difficult.

But the main weakness here is the fact that a majority of the country churches actually have _no pastor at all_. They have a preacher, part of the time; but he lives in the village seven miles away. He supplies the pulpit, marries the living and buries the dead. _The lack of a resident pastor living on the land with his people_ is almost a fatal weakness in a country church. The most eloquent preaching never compensates for this loss.

III. Some Factors Which Determine Country Church Efficiency.

Surely this matter of making a country church successful is no simple problem. It is complex enough to be fascinatingly interesting. Its very difficulty is a challenge to strong men. We shall attempt to state the most important factors which make for efficiency. All are important; some are quite essential. A church is efficient in proportion as it has developed these elements of strength.

1. _A Worthy Const.i.tuency_

It is very evident that the first essential factor is folks. The reason some earnest ministers prefer to work in the city is because there are more people there. A congregation to lead in wors.h.i.+p and to inspire with ideals for Christian service is quite essential. A minister must have people to whom to minister. Churches can live without bells, organs, pulpits, fine architecture, or even ministers for awhile. We can sing without hymn books or choir; pray without missal, prayer book or surplice; wors.h.i.+p comfortably without cus.h.i.+ons or carpets; commune without silver plates or golden chalices or individual gla.s.ses. The one thing which is the _sine qua non_ is a congregation. The church must have people.

This does not mean that success will depend upon great numbers, though depleted numbers cause serious discouragement. A country minister has a splendid chance for a thorough, _intensive_ work with individuals and families, which is denied a pastor with a larger flock. Yet the church must have a const.i.tuency or it is not needed and of course cannot succeed.

2. _Local Prosperity and Progressive Farming_

Some one may ask, "Why haven't you mentioned first of all the blessing of G.o.d, as the great essential to success?" Surely unless the Lord builds the house he labors in vain that builds it. We are simply a.s.suming this as an axiom. Our work must always be done in partners.h.i.+p with G.o.d. Success itself is the evidence of His favor. To win that favor we must take the natural steps to win success.

Our second suggestion is local prosperity and progressive farming. Dr.

Wilson calls the country church "the weather vane of community prosperity." It might be more accurately called the _barometer_, for the church shows promptly the degree of the pressure of economy due to poor crops or bad farming. Impoverished soil, poor agricultural conditions and bad farming explain the failure of many a country church. You can build a city on a rock (like New York) or even on the sand (like Gary); but you cannot hope to build a prosperous country community or rural church on _poor soil_.

Professor Carver tells us forcibly that "the world will eventually be a Christian or a non-Christian world according as Christians or non-Christians prove themselves more fit to possess it,--according as they are better farmers, better business men, better mechanics, better politicians." It is certainly the wisest kind of policy for the church to help to make its community prosperous. It is not only a fine way to serve the community; it is a prime essential to its own ultimate success. Many a rural church is languis.h.i.+ng because of bad economics in the community. Let it face the problem man-fas.h.i.+on and do something besides pray about it.

Let it prove the sincerity of its prayers by earnest plans and deeds to make its community prosperous.

This is exactly what was done in a certain Wisconsin village. By the fiat of the railroad, which suddenly changed its plans, half the people moved away in a day, leaving community inst.i.tutions maimed and everybody discouraged. It was the wise minister who saved the day by organizing the farmers and planning with them a new local industry. He induced a pickle factory to build in the community provided the farmers would raise cuc.u.mbers on a large scale. He was even able to turn the village store into a cooperative enterprise which succeeded in running at a profit. This minister saved his church by saving the community.

That prince of country ministers, Johann Friedrich Oberlin, laid the foundation of his sixty years of pastoral success in the Vosges Mountains in the new local prosperity which was developed under his leaders.h.i.+p. He was utterly unable to succeed until he had taught his people how to become better farmers, and thus to rise above the low level of incompetence and ignorance which had kept them almost immune to religious appeals and had kept their churches pitiable failures. His astonis.h.i.+ng success won for him the official recognition of the Legion of Honor from the King of France.

What he was able to do under great difficulties could be done to-day by thousands of rural churches and ministers, if they determined to do it.

Let them first make their community prosperous; then their church will share the prosperity.