Aftm Ileal I II May 10, 1965
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aftM Ileal I II May 10, 1965 K V # A^l -'f*7^: k/^^ v [j # reW ^^^ ^wfc> •' 1 n. >J& f * Ira -SriL r-%*» ^ ... To iaw, and to /toW, wwfr7 <fea£/i us do part. Photo by Don Freed Churches usually become identified with "The church is anti-intellectual and sen- EDITORIAL similar churches in something of a unit timental"; "No phase of the church deals program. with the world as I know it"; "The Within our own framework, even organized church has taken away my Mergers though little time is spent in actual inter- taste for God. What I need is honest mingling of congregations, being within fellowship." IGGER, so we can be better! Reduce reasonable proximity of other congre- The film includes scenes of how a man B overhead, some three to four times gations serves to strengthen a local con- went back to drink because the church the number of people with existing ad- gregation. didn't meet his need; tells what the man ministration. Present a truer image of Bordered by the Ohio-Pennsylvania on the street thinks of the church; un- united Christian testimony. Less institu- line on the east and the Arizona-Cali- veils the never mentioned deeper bur- tions could offer a more solid basis for fornia line on the west lies a segment of dens during a routine prayer session; continuance of institutions chosen to the Brethren in Christ Church that needs lists what youngsters really think about remain. strengthening. In the foreseeable future Sunday school and their teachers; and the Church may need to decide whether states that one can get so deeply in- Weaker, isolated areas, by successfully we purpose to develop strong congrega- volved in church activities that he for- making union with a group within close tional life in other than Pennsylvania gets the needs of his neighbors. proximity could be helped psychologi- and California in the USA. The ques- cally and administratively in their service "How do we get the Gospel to our tion: how can this area of the Brethren neighbors?" The film makes it clear that to Christ, the church and the com- in Christ Church come to greater munity. there are no "ten easy steps." But there strength? Likely the answer will vary are methods that can be followed. The Equally so, a larger group with a help- depending on the spokesman. film shows new ways of "witnessing." ful and encouraging attitude (not a Basic patterns include: be concerned swallow up concept) could stimulate a A number of Brethren in Christ men and extend Christian love in all situa- minority within a given area to greater have just returned from the annual NAE tions; accept people as they are; pay service and effective activity. Convention in Minneapolis. The conven- tion closed with a strong plea for a attention to the needs of others and fol- Men serving in the Christian ministry Christian witness that will penetrate to- low the best method of reaching each look for opportunity and challenge. day's society, this to be felt in the individual; go where the people are. Basis for opportunity varies. The size of immediate areas where churches are The latter is perhaps foremost in the a congregation is not necessarily relevant. now serving. The reason why a number is small or thinking of the NAE. The emphasis of large is a more accurate barometer. A clear, positive witness affecting the the NAE, as evidenced in the film, is to Administrative-wise it is difficult for the moral, educational and political climate be involved in a world in crisis. The small to compete with the large. Failure of our communities was never more church is urged and challenged to move to grow brings increased struggle for greatly needed. Ecclesiastical unity, out of its vacuum and extend its mes- survival. Christ centered in perspective, com- sage beyond the church building and munity oriented in need is a must to into the street. And so one could go on ad-infinitum serve our confused communities, nation (Continued on page nine) detailing reasons for growth and expan- and the world. sion. Merging of congregations within a denomination; a study of benefits to j. N. H. be realized by denominations coming closer together; institutional life in our Film Probes Christian EVANGELICAL VISITOR complex modern society; none of these Volume LXXVIII Number 10 should be excluded from study and Life Official Organ of the Urethren in Christ review. N A NEW film premiered in Minneapolis, Church, published bi-weekly by Evangel Press, Nappanee, Indiana, to whom subscriptions NHA, convening in Detroit, Michigan, I the National Association of Evangeli- should be sent. April 21-23 gave thought to Holiness cals puts the typical evangelical church Purpose: To publish Ihe Gospel of God's grace—a complete salvation through the Churches coming still closer together. A to the severest possible scrutiny in a atonement of Jesus Christ the Son of God, press release sparked the idea of an 11 dramatic 40-minute probe of attitudes— made effectual by faith in Him; the walk in holiness by the power of Ihe indwelling Holy member church federation developing and actions. Spirit; and the pre-millennia] second coming of through NHA. Criticisms of the church are gleaned our Lord. Editor: .1. N. Hosteller, Box 8, Nappanee. Of note in our own church life was the from interviews in homes, offices, shops, Indiana, to whom all material for pubiication co-operative procedure with the United on the street and by mail. Then begins should be sent. Editorial Council: J. N. Hostetter. Edilor. Missionary Church in the preparation the search for answers. C. B. Byers, Paul G. Lenhert, C. N. Hostetter, and publishing of Hymns for Worship "We have the people and the mes- Jr., Walter Winger, Isaiah Harley. Page Contributors: World Missions: Mary in 1963. The membership of the United sage of the Good News," one com- Kreider, Box 171, Elizabethtown, Pa.; Missions Missionary Church is a bit larger than mented. "The need is to take our light in America: Miss Mary A. SLoner, Grantham, Pa.; Preachers: E. J. Swalm, Duntroon, Ont.; our own. This joint effort has promoted from under the bushel, understand our Home: Eber Dourte. 845 West Arrow High- sufficient sales to already call for a way, Upland, California; "Today's Yesterday": problem areas and shortcomings and be- C. O. Wittlinger, Grantham, Pa.; Crusader fourth printing of Hymns for Worship. come positive and forward moving in Page: Paul Hostetler, 105 Budea Crescent, While material advantages are evi- our witness." ^ Scarborough, Ontario. Brethren in Christ Publication Board, Inc.: dent, the doctrinal unity and oneness in Comments on the evangelical church H. H. Brubaker, Isaiah F. Harley, J. Wilmer . Helsey, Paul Hostetler, Joseph R. Aiken, C. Christian experience as portrayed in in the film are revealing: "I'd like to''" ..JN. Hostetter, Jr., Samuel F. Minter. Hymns for Worship bespeaks our fellow- shake my church up"; "Quality in any- Subscriptions: S3.00 per year. New Subscrip- ship in Christ, the degree of harmony thing is considered worldly"; "We must tions: $2.50 per year; Gift Subscriptions: $2.50 per year; Sample Copies free. that now exists and the similarities of meet the unchurched without a 'holier Mailing label indicates expiration date. In- perspective in Christian service. than thou' attitude"; "The world needs clude both old and new address with requests for change of address. A measure of fellowship in addition to our message," a newspaper man says, Entered as second-class mail at Nappanee, local congregational life is a necessary "but we aren't getting through"; "We're Indiana. stimulus in church growth and develop- too busy in church to help people out- ment. Even so-called Independent side"; "We're naive about the world"; - EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION (2) Evangelical Visitor provide that healthy perspective and understanding of others which will facil- itate an intelligent selection later on. Don't be rushed into marriage. Take time to know your own mind, to seek God's mind, to come to the place where you are willing never to be married, if Don't Be Rushed Into Marriage that is His choice. And again, fill your mind with positive, healthy, virtuous thoughts; live a life of active creative- Arthur F. Holmes ness. If you are not interested in the prob- Then there is a significant, though lems of your young people, and if as a brief, statement in II Timothy 2:22: Christian young person you do not care "Flee also youthful lusts." We need con- for your future, don't read this article. stant reminders on this subject. We need to be on guard, exercising discipline. NLY IN THE light of Biblical teaching In that connection we must recognize O on marriage, the sanctity of sex that men and women are differently and love, can we understand the Chris- aroused. Women tend to be stimulated tian's position on boy-girl relationship by touch; men are more easily stimu- prior to marriage. lated by sight and thought. Men especi- Since the Christian concept of marital ally must exercise discernment and love is distinctive, Christian courtship discipline in the thought life, in reading, will likewise be distinctive. Since Chris- in watching movies and TV, in the use tians view love and marriage differently of leisure time, in day-dreaming, and from the average person, our movements so on. in the direction of marriage, whether It means, too, that girls have a respon- social dating, going steady, or engage- sibility to follow. They must avoid being ment, will be different.