Article August 6, 1966 Issue

Signs of the Times

D. Elton Trueblood

The Chaplain

The Rev. Prof. D. Elton Trueblood Earlham College Richmond, Indiana in The Chaplain Washington, District of Columbia

I see a marked growth in the concept and practice of the lay ministry. I see a development in the direction of reality of membership, according to which, in a few congregations, it is beginning to be expected that every member should participate seriously in the Christian cause, engaging in witness, in financial sacrifice, in daily ministry, and in study....

The superficial judgment of most of our people is to the effect that Christianity is strong in our country. This judgment is based upon the number of church buildings and the number of members on the church rolls. We do not need to have very much experience, however, to know that their strength is nothing like as great as it appears to be. Vast numbers who call themselves Christians are not participants in the ongoing work at all. Most are not regular in prayer or Bible reading, or do not think of themselves as called upon to minister for Christ and their fellowmen....

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