if one is going to realize the kind of ideal that is in the mind of God. Social Relationships A primary concern at both the na tional and international level of this problem is that of social intercourse. It is well known that in many areas of the world it is felt to be undesirable to mix with those of other races. The Christian regards anyone who has been born again by the same Spirit as being equal in the sight of God, and therefore, should have no room in his heart for prejudice. How ever, this will not mean necessarily that it will be practicably desirable to sit at the same table or otherwise socially mingle with those of other races. At cer tain stages of the problem it may be highly desirable for each race to live its separate life and yet nevertheless main tain happy co-operation with the other. This will depend largely upon the state of awareness of race distinction in any particular place. Worship With regard to Christians in worship the need for closer fellowship between the races would seem to be highly de sirable on the ground of the brother hood of all believers. However, once again on practical grounds this may not be always in the best interest of the Kingdom of God. It has been noticed in many places where a considerable num ber of colored people are in membership with whites in the same church that the whites almost invariably tend to take the positions of leadership. If on the other hand there were enough colored people to provide a working basis for a church on that ground they would have had this extra experience in leadership and there would have been greater homogeneity altogether which would lead to more harmonious work for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It seems generally desirable then, that where there are considerable numbers of any particular race there should be a church organized particularly to meet their
By James H. Jauncey, Th.D.
spite of their weaknesses. The vast bulk of missionary endeavor is due to de nominational effort. The Christian En- deavorer does not focus his eyes on interchurch differences. He sees that God has entrusted to each one different aspects of truth which is its duty to safeguard and which might be other wise neglected. The forms of worship of each church he sees to be suitable for various tastes and many Christians he recognizes would be unhappy if this choice were denied them. The denomina tions are the vehicles through which the Holy Spirit works and this of course is true for the Undenominational Move ment as well. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Is organic union desirable? On what basis can people of different denominations have fellowship? What can C.E. do about ecumenicity? What are the dangers of the ecumeni cal movement? Feb. 10, 1952 CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP OVERCOMES PREJUDICE (Race Relations Day) Acts 10:19-28 There are two ways in which the question of race remains a problem in the world today. First of all, at the international level where it is largely the white race against the yellow race, and secondly, at the national level where it is the prevailing majority against a minority often vigorously striving for an equality at all levels. The Christian basis for the solution of all these prob lems is that in Christ racial barriers are eliminated and peoples regardless of their skin color become all one in Christ Jesus. However, this is the basis of the solution only for their many practical difficulties which have to be overcome
Feb. 3, 1952 UNITED IN CHRIST (Christian Endeavor Day) Rom. 12:4,5; Eph. 4:1-6
Last century we had a bad history of church schism. Many of the great denominations which emerged from the Reformation began to take an almost pathological interest in differences and this resulted in countless offshoots most ly at war with one another. This cen tury on the other hand has had an em phasis on unity. Many denominational divisions have been healed and there has been a great but not very productive interest in union of all the churches. Although Christian Endeavor was born and cradled in the last century it has wielded a tremendous influence for unity and this on the basis of interchurch fellowship and service. Unity Instead of Union One of the mistakes of many of those interested in the ecumenical movement has been to assume that the New Tes tament ideal is organic union instead of spiritual unity. Thus, the assemblies of branches of the Christian church sometimes unite as far as their statute books are concerned but fail to achieve unity at the church level. Christian Endeavor has not sought for such or ganic union but instead has sought to bring the young people of all churches into a common fellowship showing them that there are devout Christians in all denominations. It has advocated a com mon loyalty in the motto, For Christ and the Church. Great rallies and com mon projects have given that wider vis ion so necessary for essential unity. Although individual denominational pref erences and loyalties have been encour aged, countless thousands have never theless found a unity without uniform ity. Differences Not Necessarily Unchristian There can be no doubt that God is tremendously using the denominations in J A N U A R Y , 1 9 5 2
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