Ecological Changes and the Church

The Church, as a human institution, is affected by every social and cultural change which occurs in its environment. Of all human institutions, however, the Church is probably the most conservative. The current awakening of religious interest throughout the United States presents the Church with many opportunities and confronts it with potential dangers. The danger exists that emphasis upon quantitative growth will obscure the need for qualitative excellence. A well-educated laity will embarrass the church whose educational standards for the clergy fall below those for business and the professions. Although the churches speak boldly for liberal reform, they lag behind government, the armed services, sports, and industry in implementing liberal programs. It is not certain that the Church speaks relevantly to an urban-dominated culture. It is certain that the churches have overlooked many opportunities in the innercity areas. Although denominational ties have lost much meaning among laymen, many denominations aggressively perpetuate their separate existences. Unions between differently organized denominations, rather than reunions within splintered denominations, indicate real accomplishment in social adjustment.—Ed.