MICHIGAN yVCADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



139 



is usually dropped upon their removal, generally because of incapacity 

 in their successors. With the system here proposed the initiative and 

 enterprise is embodied in a continuous council, chosen for experience and 

 ■capacity, having power to initiate activities, to supervise them, and to 

 insure their continuity. 



Such a body could, obviously, administer only to a limited area. So 

 it would be necessary to provide some superstructure to form a connec- 

 tion between areas. Above all it is highly desirable that there be a 

 national organization, such as the Federal Council of the Churches of 

 Christ, uniting all denominations, in a more or less compact whole. This 

 would bring about a mutual understanding, which would go far toward 

 promoting a singleness of purpose, unity of methods, and broad co- 

 operation. The evidences all point toward a coming centralization of 

 direction, and a closer bond of sympathy and association among religious 

 sects. 



If the official board is shorn of its former powers, what position should 

 it occupy.^ Its best services could undoubtedly be performed as a 

 pastor's cabinet. It would consist of leaders in the various fields of 

 church activity, the Sunday school superintendent; presidents of the 

 brotherhood, the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., the W. C. T. U., and 

 young people's organizations ; the deaconesses, and others. Preferably 

 it should be constituted by one member being selected from each field. 

 The functions of the members would be to meet with, advise, and be 

 responsible to, the pastor. 



From the district council, or committee, down, the organization of a 

 highly centralized and efficient church would be as in the following 

 figure : 



Cooncil 



Pastor 



Dep't. Heads 



Figure 6. Diagram to illustrate suggested church organization. 



