On June 14 and 15, 1916, a meeting was held of the Committee on Interchurch Coöperation of the Ohio Rural Life Association at Columbus. This Committee is composed largely of superintendents and representatives of several of the leading denominations of the State. They met for the purpose of making a thorough study of country church conditions and were determined, if possible, to devise a remedy. The following were among those present: Bishop Wm. F. Anderson of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the Rt. Rev. Theodore Irving Reese of the Protestant Episcopal Church; Superintendents, I. J. Cahill, W. J. Grimes, A. W. Jamieson, Robert E. Pugh, E. S. Rothrock and Omer S. Thomas of the Disciples of Christ, the United Presbyterian, the Presbyterian, the Congregational and Christian churches; Dr. Washington Gladden, officially representing the Congregational churches; Rev. C. W. Brugh, representing the Reformed Church, and Rev. E. L. Averitt, representing Rev. Tileston F. Chambers, Superintendent of the Baptist churches. Superintendent Rev. C. W. Kurtz of the United Brethren, and Superintendent C. S. Beck of the Methodist Protestant Church have also endorsed the action of the meeting.
After a thorough discussion of rural church conditions, the following measures were agreed upon as remedies:
Interchurch coöperation in every locality to create conditions favorable to the development of Christian character, to build a strong, wholesome, attractive community, to hold community religious services and social gatherings and to render all forms of social service needed in the community but not rendered by other institutions.
Where there is now no resident pastor in a township the combining of all churches so far as possible either in one church or in one circuit or federated church under one pastor who should be held responsible for rendering social and religious service in the township.
To bring this to pass all ministers now visiting and preaching in a community should by their preaching exalt christian unity and the Kingdom of God, and in preaching and personal work try to prepare the people for acceptance of a policy of community service.
To secure coöperation of ministers:
Preparation and sending of bulletins to every pastor, containing program and making clear reasons for adopting it.
Preparation and sending of letters from this Committee to every rural pastor, urging acceptance of higher ideals of service as here set forth.
Preparation and sending to country pastors of frequent bulletins containing information and description of notable examples of good country church work.
Appointment of sub-committees to secure action by denominational bodies approving program of Committee.