University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

An inductive study of selected groups of young people's religious activities in the southwest section of Los Angeles

(USC Thesis Other)

An inductive study of selected groups of young people's religious activities in the southwest section of Los Angeles

PDF

Download

Open document

Flip pages

Download a page range

Download transcript

Copy asset link

Request this asset

Transcript (if available)

Content AN INDUCTIVE STUDY OF SELECTED GROUPS
OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S RELIGIOUS
ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTHWEST SECTION OF
LOS ANGELES ' ^
A Thesis
Presented to the School
of Religion
University of Southern California
In Partial Fulfillment
of the
Requirements for the
Degree of Master of Theology
By
Merle Appel gate
June 1932
UMI Number: EP65031
All rights reserved
INFORMATION TO ALL USERS
The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted.
In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript
and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed,
a note will indicate the deletion.
Di&smtaîion PublisWng
UMI EP65031
Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author.
Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC.
All rights reserved. This work is protected against
unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code
ProQuest I I G.
789 East Eisenhower Parkway
P.O. Box 1346
Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346
Faculty Committee
Professor Bruce Baxter
Chairman
Professor Taylor
Professor LaPorte
This thesis y written under the direction of the ^ ^
candidate's Faculty Committee and approved by 1 ^ ^
all its members, has been presented to and ac-
cepted by the Council on Graduate Study and
Research in partial fulfillment of the require
ments for the degree of
........Master of T h ^ ...............
retary
Dean
Date . . i ? . .....
CONTENTS
Chapter Pag©
I, THE PROBLEM............................................. 1
II. THE METHOD OF PROCEDURE................................. 3
Inductiire Method .................................. 3
General Questionnaire................................ . 3
Specific churches selected............................. 3
Specific Questionnaire................................. 4
Personal Interviews................................ . 4
III. DESCRIPTION OF SECTION STUDIED.......................... 5
Geographical boundaries................................ 5
Social status 5
Financial status..................................... 6
IV. THE NEED OF EMPHASIS BEING PLACED UPON YOUNG
PEOPLE'S ACTIVITIES.........■ .......... 7
V. TABULATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL SURVEY
AND COMMENTS......................................... 10
VI. SPECIFIC STATISTICS FROM THE EIGHT SELECTED
CHURCHES AND THEIR GROUPS, WITH COMÆENTS........... 36
VII. COMPARISON OF THE WORK BEING DONE WITH THE
SIZE OF THE FIELD..................................... 63
VIII. CONCLUSION.............................................. 67
APPENDIX A.............................................. 72
APPENDIX B.............................................. 73
il
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE Page
I. General Statistics of Baptist Churches................... 14
II. General Statistics of Brethren Churches.................. 15
III. . General Statistics of Christian Churches..................16
IV. General Sts.tistics of Congregational Churches.......... . 17
V. General Statistics of Lutheran Churches ....... 18
VI. General Statistics bf Methodist Episcopal Churches 19
VII. General Statistics of Miscellaneous Churches ........20
VIII. General Statistics of Presbyterian Churches............. 21
IX. Table Showing the Numerical Range of Membership of
the Churches Included in this Study by Five-year
Periods.................... 23
X. Table Indicating Total Membership by Denominations...... 25
XI. Table Indicating Number of Young People Between Six
and Eighteen Years, and the Percent of the Total
Membership by Denomination in 1931.................. 27
XII. Table Indicating Number of Organizations Within the
Church used in Caring for Young People Six to
Eighteen Years of Age - By Denominations........ 29
XIII. Table Indicating Tifhether or not Buildings are
Adequate - By Denomination............................ 31
XIV. Table Indicating Play Lots or Gyms - By Denomination 33
XV. Table Indicating Assistants - By Denomination........... 35
XVI. Table Showing the Nature of Organizations........ 40
XVII. Table Indicating the Stated Purpose of the
Organizations Within the Churches. ...............42
XVIII. Table Showing the Range of Attendance of Mixed
Group Organizations. ................... 44
XIX. Table Showing the Range of Attendance of Boys’
Organizations..... 45
XX. Table Showing the Range of Attendance of Girls’
Organizations........................................ 46
ill
TABLE Page
XXI. Table Showing Those With and Without Social Programs 48
XXII. Analysis of Those Organizations With Social Programs........50
XXIII. Table Indicating the Attitude as to Whether "All the
Members of the Church of Your Group Age" are being
Reached ............................................ 52
XXIV. Table Indicating Reasons Given for Failure to Reach
"All the Members of the Church of Your Group Age"....... 54
XXV. Table Giving Analysis of the Program for Helping Others.... 56
XXVI. Analysis of the Work of the Organizations in Furthering
the General Program of the Church...................... 58
XXVII. Table Indicating Opinion of Those Filling in the
Questionnaires as to "The Program of Religious
Activities of Your Church”................ 60
XXVIII. Table Indicating the Purpose of the Pastor's Sermons........62
CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM
Of the making of surveys there is no end. The Southwest Section
of Los Angeles has had her share. A study was made in 1930 of the
Christian Citizenship Program in the churches of this section. The
results were worth while. It is our purpose to make a general survey
of the churches of this entire section, and a specific and more de
tailed study of young people’s activities of a selected group of
churches. This will cover not only the Christian Citizenship Program
among the young people, but the Christian Endeavor, Baptist Young
People’s Union, Epworth League, Bible School classes, and whatever
other clubs or organizations -t^^t may be found in the churches. To
know more of the religious condition of this area is the burden of
this thesis. It is well to remember that it has been said that the
Southwest Section of Los Angeles is an exception to the rule that
the churches reflect the fortunes of the people. It has been noted
that the people in this section are above the average in economic
standards, but that the churches are for the most part listless and
without a going constructive program. Our problem is to ascertain
the effectiveness of the churches in this section in their work with
young people. It will be interesting to know the total number of
young people that are touched by the Protestant Churches. How much
interest are the churches taking in a program for youth? What are
the churches actually providing in the matter of spiritual, moral,
educational, and recreational training? Do they have directors of
young people’s work? These and many other questions press themselves
upon us. Obviously, it is impossible to make any determined progress
until the strong and weak points are discovered in the existing order.
CHAPTER II
THE METHOD OF PROCEDURE
Inductive Method. The inductive method will be used in making
this study. We have no theories to offer; no pre-conoeived conclusions
to draw. It is with a free spirit that the facts are collected and
classified. Open-mindedness is the first essential in arriving at the
facts. The scientific method of research has been stated as follows :
Collect the facts; classify the facts; draw the conclusion or con
clusions. This we.shall faithfully try to do by means of various
questionnaires•
General Questionnaire. The first set of questions was sent to
the minister of every Protestant Church in the area. It covered such .
general information as would give a birds-eye view of.the size, con
dition, and rate of growth of the church. This was necessary so the
entire work of the churches could be judged in relation to the whole
area. It also served as a help in deciding on the specific churches
for special study. A specimen of the general questionnaire is found
on page 72 (Appendix A).
Specific churches selected. Eight churches were selected from
the entire group. One church is the largest, and apparently the most
aggressive. One is the smallest. One is the only church that appears
to be losing ground. One is a new church. And so the list goes,
touching a wide variety of conditions and denominations. The follow
ing is a list of the eight specific churches ;
1. Atherton Baptist
2. Bethany Lutheran
3. Cumberland Presbyterian
4. Florence Avenue United Presbyterian
5. Manchester Christian
6. Pilgrim Congregational
7. St. John’s Evangelical
8. St. Mark’s Methodist
Specific Questionnaire. A detailed questionnaire was sent or
given to the leaders of the young people’s groups, if the groups were
too young to have officers. If the organizations had a corps of of
ficers, the president was asked to fill it in. This questionnaire
covered material that has to do with the organization itself, the
relation of the organization to the church, the church to the organ
ization, the general spirit existing between each, and the opinion of
the one answering the questions concerning the pastor’s sermons. A
sample of this questionnaire is found on pages 73-75 (Appendix B).
Personal Interviews. Many personal interviews with pastors,
leaders of young people’s groups, and the young people of the organ
izations served as a faithful check on the questionnaires. Personal
calls to the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Education, and Los Angeles
Times netted much information used in this survey.
CHAPTER III
DESCRIPTION OF SECTION STUDIED
Geographical boundaries. The boundaries for this study have been
arbitrarily set as: North, Santa Barbara from Van Ness to Central.
On account of irregularities in the streets, we have followed the line
used in taking the 1930 Census. The jagged line will be noted on the
map between Figueroa and Central. East boundary. Central Avenue to
Manchester. South boundary, Manchester Avenue to Van Ness. West
boundary. Van Ness from Manchester to Slauson, then a little irregu
larity as indicated on the map to Santa Barbara.
This area includes five "tracts" used by the Federal Census in
1930. It has an aggregate population of 160,007. In order that there
may be some check on the effectiveness of these organizations on the
total population of the district, the age limit has been put at six
to eighteen years inclusive. Thus, a comparison of the number of young
people connected with churches and the number enrolled in the public
schools can be made.
Social status. The social status of this area has two very
distinct sections. That section east of Main is being invaded by
factories and general industrial groups. With this has come the wage
earner and his usually large, but poorly kept, family. Another factor
has entered in in the migration of the negroes to this section. A
vigorous effort is being put forth to hold the negro population east
of Main Street. Some negro families have broken over, and now own
property west of Main Street, The territory west of Main is quite
different. The families are a great deal higher up the social ladder.
as evidenced by the better types of homes, greater enterprise in
keeping up the outside appearances, such as the lawn, paint, and shrub
bery. Their mode of living shows that they have substantial positions,
not badly affected even in this time of depression, with a moderate
income of an average of $200 to $300 per month. Clubs and civic or
ganizations are thriving; church buildings are more costly; and the
type and condition of automobiles seen in front of the homes indicate
a cultured population. It is to be understood that this is a general
classification, for there are glaring exceptions of well-to-do and
cultured families living east of Main Street, and poor and uncultured
families west of îilain Street.
Financial Status. It is natural to conclude that the financial
status corresponds generally with the social status. The Los Angeles
Times has indicated on a city map the purchasing power of different
districts based on rental values. This graphical map gives the dis
trict covered in this study second, third, and fourth places in a
six-point scale.
CHAPTER IV
THE NEED OF EMPHASIS BEING PLACED UPON
YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACTIVITIES
"The youth of today is the church of tomorrow" is a time-worn
statement, yot it embodies a truth eo compelling that the statement
is still much used. A great deal has been said about showing an in
terest in lending assistance to the young people— much less has actu
ally been done about it. Parents berate their children for lack of
interest in the church, yet drive the youth farther away by their
criticism. Ministers and young people's workers lament the absence
of young people in church work, yet they often make it unappealing
for young people to offer their assistance. It should be recognized
at the outset that the church can best recruit her officers and lead
ers among the potential youth. It is a shame to church leadership
that people are permitted to spend their youthful energy outside the
church, when in later life the church takes great interest in their
lives, often marred by years of useless energy in fruitless activ
ities .
It may be selfish for the church to look at youth with the one
desire to recruit leadership, for young people are valuable in and to
themselves. They have a potential personality that is bound to be
developed. Perhaps the first concern, then, should be to develop
that personality. If the church does not take part in nor contribute
to this natural development, she has fallen down at the most important
point. It is much easier to put in the electric wiring and plumbing
fixtures during the construction of the house than it is after the
house is completed, with the walls all plastered or papered, and the
8
outside covering on. To put in wiring or plumbing after the house is
built means added expense, a disturbed condition of the household
within, and oftentimes ill-matched and unsightly joints and connections
when the reconstruction job is finished. The wise builder has a com
plete construction, in order that reconstruction will not be necessary.
This same wisdom might well be used in the church. How often we have
seen adult personalities, seeing their gross mistake of leaving Christ
and the church out of their lives, trying to complete a reconstruction
process. How much better it would have been if somehow the church could
have received that personality while a babe, or better still, its par
ents before birth, and constructed that whole life and personality in
the Christian way.
Many churches and church leaders have been successful in directing
young lives in the Christian way. The unfortunate thing is that a lar
ger number of young people are not thus influenced. Perhaps the great
est fault is not in the amount nor quality of influence, but rather
that this influence touches a pitiably small percentage of the mass of
young people.
The technique of method has been stressed to the point of injury
to the practical application of teaching. Some instances of over-em
phasis on technique reminds one of a young business man who was getting
well established in his work of putting a highly practical piece of
merchandise on the market at a reasonable price. His trade increased
until his rather amateur method of filing orders and sales was inade
quate. An enthusiastic salesman for a filing system succeeded in in
stalling a complicated, detailed filing system that would give every
bit of information from the ages and birthdays of all the children and
grandchildren of all his customers, to the best golf-scores they had
made respectively* Six months after the system was installed, this
young business man was telling a friend of the advantages of his up-
to-date filing system over the old system still in use by his friend.
"But has it increased your business any?" asked this practical-minded
friend. "Oh, no, we have closed up our business and are running our
filing system now," replied the young business man. Some churches
have excellent programs for young people, but they have shut out the
young people while they put on their programs.
It is not unreasonable to expect young people to be as interested
in a general introduction to Christianity as they are to other impor
tant influences in life, such as morals, athletics, amusements, and
elementary education in school. However, it is easy to see that the
mass of young people is not thus inclined* Until the interest of the
young people is centered in Christianity, they will not be inclined
that way. To say that some young people are being powerfully influ
enced is to admit a failure in influencing many. Because one debt is
paid in full does not relieve the responsibility of paying all the
debts one has. The church is in debt to young people, for she has
something the young people should have. The debt will never be paid
until she, in an attractive way, offers this priceless heritage to
all young people.
10
CHAPTER V
TABULATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE
GENERAL SURVEY AND COMMENTS
The majority of the pastors of the Southwest churches entered
enthusiastically into the spirit of this investigation by almost unan
imously filling in and returning the questionnaires. The ministry of
this section seems to consist of a splendid group of individuals.
There are no outstanding men, such as one would find in a large, out
standing church, but as a group, they are well-schooled and consistent
workers. Of course, there are a few exceptions to the spirit of co
operation— ministers who apparently paid no attention to letters, re
minders, and telephone calls. No doubt, this attitude is reflected
in their other activities. To say the least, not one of the stronger,
wide-awake churches failed to have a minister that co-operated.
The reports indicate that too frequently church records are very
carelessly preserved. Too often a change in pastors means a confusion
in the record system. In many instances, the minister could give the
data asked for covering only the period of his service with the church.
The great harm in such unbusinesslike recording systems is not in the
inability to make a complete and reliable report for this survey, but
in the fact that no evaluation of the church’s own failures or suc
cesses can be made, and progressive programs proposed. This slip-shod
method of record-keeping may not all be the minister’s fault. However,
we heard of one minister who carried in his pocket a list of the names
of his parishioners with addresses and telephone numbers written in a
little book. When he left the church for another pastorate, he carried
away this little book, which was the only up-to-date record of the
11
membership* When church officials will demand that accurate records
be permanently kept, such embarrassing circumstances as the above will
not be found. By reference to the tables, it can be seen that in many
instances the size of the membership cannot be given five or ten years
previous to the year 1931. There might be some charity shown if the
records of the Bible School or other extra-church organizations were
poorly kept, but careless recording of the membership roll of the
church is an error of the first magnitude.
It is only fair to the reader that we give a picture of some of
the unhappy things in this investigation. Without it, the picture
would lack perfect detail. Some pastors, very few we are thankful to
say, were disinterested in any attempt at the survey. One even ad
mitted he had thrown the pastor's questionnaire into the waste basket
"because it would take too much trouble to get the data." Granting
that this minister was caring for his particular parish, it is quite
a reflection on his interest in the section as a whole. Some would
brand this attitude as "grossly narrow". Such narrowness among the
ministry may be one of the keys unlocking the door which will reveal
the religious status in this section.
The following tables are very interesting. They tabulate only
the actual or measurable condition of the churches. Of course, the
thing we would all like to know, but which can never be fully known,
is the cause of the unusual and growing success of some, and the fad
ing influence of other churches. We have attempted to make the tables
self-explanatory. The first eight tables give a complete compilation
by denomination of the data received from the general church question
naire.
12
There were thirty-six general questionnaires sent out, and
thirty-three were returned. This is an unusually high percentage of
answers. Out of the thirty-three churches reporting, six of them
show a greater increase in membership during the five-year period
between 1921 and 1926 than during the five-year period between 1926
and 1931. Eight other churches indicate that they were organized
since 1921. Nine others did not give an answer to the question
about the size of their membership in 1921, although all were organ
ized previous to that year. As one did not give its membership in
1926, there are only fifteen of the churches that can be checked
over a ten-year period as to their growth in membership. Eight of
these, or fifty-three percent, show a larger gain in the five-year
period from 1926 to 1931. It is interesting to note that financial
conditions were better during this period than the previous five
years. This seems to be a pretty definite indication that material
prosperity of the people brings at least numerical prosperity to the
churches.
There is only one church, the Vermont Square Methodist Episco
pal, with over one thousand members. This church is shown on Table VI.
It made a rapid growth from 1921 to 1926, netting 273 new members dur
ing this period. The next five years this church only gained seventy-
six new members. This indicates that this section of Los Angeles does
not have a tendency to build large institutions. There are seven
churches of this denomination (Methodist) in this area, with an aggre
gate membership of 2,900. Of course, there may be reasons within this
particular church that have kept it from advancing at the rapid pace
set between 1921 and 1926. Further reference will be made to this
later.
13
There is only one church, the Pilgrim Congregational, that shows
a loss. This church is shown on Table IV. There has been a steady
decrease during the whole ten-year period. This is one of the churches
selected for specific study. The response to the questionnaires from
the young people and leaders of young people was splendid. Personal
interviews with the pastor showed him to be an enterprising leader.
The plant is adequate and well kept, but for a needed coat of paint.
The program for Sunday worfehip and week-day activity seemed well
planned and executed. Special musical attractions are frequently
offered. There is a good gymnasium. No apparent reason could be
found for the fading influence of this congregation. Their financial
receipts in 1932 are even ahead of 1931, up to April 1.
14
TABLE I
GENERAL STATISTICS OF BAPTIST CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
ATHERTON No ? ? 346 50 8 Yes ?
HOOVER STREET No Ill 215 300 50 6 No No
iimmNUEL Yes 225 250 550 60 5 No Lot
MANCHESTER Yes ? 120 307 52 7 Yes No
SOUTH PARK No ? ? 832 150 3 Yes Lot
Total 336 585 2335 362 29
This table should be read as follows : The Atherton Baptist Church does
not have a secretary or assistant. Its membership in 1921 is not known;
its membership in 1926 is not known; in 1931 it had 346 members. Of the
346 members in 1931, fifty of these were between the ages of six and
eighteen years. These fifty young people found activity in eight or
ganizations. Their building is adequate. Question marks indicate that
the question was not answered by the one filling in the questionnaire.
15
TABLE II
GENERAL STATISTICS OF BRETHREN CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
CALVARY Yes 125 ? 215 100 6 Yes Basement
FIRST Yes ? 190 235 50 2 No No
Total 125 190 450 150 8
This table should be read as followst The Calvary Brethren Church has
a secretary or assistant. In 1921 it had 125 members; in 1926, number
unknown; in 1931, 215. Of the 215 members in 1931, one hundred of
these were between the ages of six and eighteen years. These one
hundred young people found activity in six organizations. Their build
ing is adequate. They have a basement. Question marks indicate that
the question was not answered by the one filling in the questionnaire.
16
TABLE III
GENERAL STATISTICS OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
FIGUEROA Yes ? 500 800 131 10 No Gym
FLORENCE AYE. No None None 75 8 3 Yes No
MANCHESTER No None 100 170 25 2 No No
SOUTHWEST Yes None 60 125 25 3 Yes No
UNIVERSITY No 250 400 425 50 4 Yes No
Total 250 1060 1595 239 22
This table should be read, as follows: The Figueroa Christian Church
has a secretary or assistant. In 1921 its membership is not known; in
1926 it had 500 members; in 1931, 800. Of the 800 members in 1931, 131
of these were between the ages of six and eighteen years. These 131
young people found activity in ten organizations. Their building is
not adequate. They have a gym. Question marks indicate that the ques
tion was not answered by the one filling in the questionnaire.
17
TABLE IV
GENERAL STATISTICS OP CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
BEREAN Yes 67 82 94 15 4 Yes No
PILGRIM No 231 227 186 20 3 Yes Yes
WESTERN KNOLL No ? ? 179 13 5 Yes Lot
Total 298 309 459 48 12
This table should be read as follows ; The Berean Congregational Church
has a secretary or assistant. In 1921 it had 67 members; in 1926, 82;
in 1931, 94. Of the 94 members in 1931, 15 of these were between the
ages of six and eighteen years. These 15 young people found activity
in four organizations. Their building is adequate. They do not have a
gym or play lot. Question marks indicate that the question was not
answered by the one filling in the questionnaire.
18
TABLE V
GENERAL STATISTICS OF LÜTHERAN CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these.
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
BETHANY Yes None None 125 65 4 No No
MESSIAH No None 50 250 50 4 No ?
Total 50 375 115 8
This table should be read as follows; The Bethany Lutheran Church has
a secretary or assistant. In 1921 it was not organized; in 1926 it was
not yet organized; in 1931 it had 125 members. Of the 125 members in
1931, 65 of these were between the ages of six and eighteen years.
These 65 young people found activity in four organizations. Their
building is not adequate. They do not have a gym or play lot. Ques
tion marks indicate that the question was not answered by the one fill
ing in the questionnaire.
19
TABLE VI
GENERAL STATISTICS OF METFODTST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
.Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
BETHEL No 125 185 212 35 3 Yes No
CHESTERFIELD No 252 281 430 75 3 No No
EPWORTH, SOUTH No
7
? 306 100 4 Yes No
ST. MARKS' Yes 348 384 452 83 9 No Gym
SANTA BARBARA No 50 75 305 25 3 No Hall
SOUTHWEST
COMMUNITY No None None 96 27 3 Yes No
VERMONT SQ. Yes 750 1023 1099 70 6 Yes Gym
Total 1525 1948 2900 415 31
This table should be read as follows: The Bethel Methodist Episcopal
Church does not have a secretary or assistant. In 1921 it had 125
members; in 1926, 185; in 1931, 212. Of the 212 members in 1931, 35
of these were between the ages of six and eighteen years. These 35
young people found activity in three organizations. Their building is
adequate. They do not have a gym or play lot. Question marks indicate
that the question was not answered by the one filling in the question
naire .
20
TABLE VII
GENERAL STATISTICS OF MISCELLANEOUS CHUROIIES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
CHURCH OF GOD Yes ? ? 235 50 3 Yes No
FIRST HUNGAR
IAN REFORMED Yes None 40 100 20 3 Yes No
ST. JOHN'S
EVANGELICAL No 20 90 175 30 3 No No
THIRD UNITED
BRETHREN Yes 90 163 280 82 3 Yes No
Total 110 293 790 182 12
This table should be read as follows: The Church of God has a secre
tary or assistant. In 1921 its membership is not known; in 1926 its
membership is not known; in 1931 it had 235 members. Of the 235 mem
bers in 1931, 50 of these were between the ages of six and eighteen
years. These 50 young people found activity in three organizations.
Their building is adequate. They do not have a gym or play lot. Ques
tion marks indicate that the question was not answered by the one fill
ing in the questionnaire.
21
TABLE VIII
GENERAL STATISTICS OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
Church Secy
or
Asst
Total Membership
1921 1926 1931
6-18
yrs
Org.for
these
Building
Adequate
Gym or
Play Lot
CUMBERLAND No None ? 200 35 3 No Lot
FLORENCE AVE.
UNITED No 92 175 515 150 22 No Lot
KNOX Yes 300 575 825 225 9 No Lot
SECOND UNITED No ? 54 160 30 4 Yes No
VERMONT AVE. Yes 250 400 580 50 3 Yes No
Total 642 1204 2280 490 41
This table should be read as follows : The Cumberland Presbyterian
Church has no secretary or assistant. In 1921 it was not yet organized;
in 1926 its membership was unknown; in 1931 it had 200 members. Of the
200 members in 1931, 35 of these were between the ages of six and
eighteen years. These 35 young people found activity in three organ
izations. Their building is not adequate. They have a play lot.
Question marks indicate that the question was not answered by the one
filling in the questionnaire.
22
The numerical range of the membership of the churches for each
five-year period is shown by Table IX. This section of Los Angeles
is quite new, and has experienced a rapid growth in the past decade.
In 1921 the largest number of churches was between 201 and 300 in
membership. In 1926 the largest number of churches was in the "less
than loo" group. It was at this time that the largest number of new
churches was organized, and some of the churches that grew more slowly
remained in that grouping. In 1931 a sufficient number had climbed
the scale of numerical status to put the largest number of churches
in the "201 to 300” class. It is interesting to note that the one
church in the thousand member class in 1926 did not get over the
eleven hundred mark by 1931, in spite of the fact that the five-year
period previous, the membership went from the ”70l to 800" class up
to the "1001 to 1100" class. This brings to light the fact that the
Southwest Section of Los Angeles, with its population of 160,007 souls,
is a field of small churches. Are all the enterprising laymen spend
ing their money and influence in the "downtown" or "exclusive society”
churches? Or are the ministers to blame?
23
TABLE IX
TABLE SHOWING THE NlDmEICAL RANGE OF MEMBERSHIP OF
THE CHURCHES INCLUDED IN THIS STUDY
BY FIVE-YEAR PERIODS
Size of Membership Number of Churches
1921 1926 1931
Churches having meni)ership of less1 than 100 5 8 4
Churches having membership of 101 to 200 3 5 7
Churches having membership of 201 to 300 6 4 8
Churches having membership of 301 to 400 1 3 4
Churches having membership of 401 to 500 0 1 3
Churches having membership of 501 to 600 0 1 3
Churches having membership of 601 to 700 0 1 0
Churches having membership of 701 to 800 1 0 1
Churches having membership of 801 to 900 None
over
0 2
Churches having membership of 901 to 1000 this
No.
0 0
Churches having membership of 1001. to 1100 1
None
over
thi’ S
No.
1
None
over
this
No.
Total 16 24 33
This table should be read as followst Churches having a membership of
less than 100 in 1921 were five in number; in 1926, eight; in 1931,
four.
24
At least two points that should be stressed are shown by Table X.
The Lutherans did not begin work in this section until after 1921, yet
they have nearly as many members as the Congregationalists, who had
298 members in 1921* The Methodist and Congregational are the only
churches that failed to double their total membership during the ten-
year period from 1921 to 1931.
25
TABLE X
TABLE INDICATING TOTAL MEMBERSHIP
BY DENOMINATIONS
Denomination
1921
Membership
1926 1931
BAPTIST CHURCHES 336 585 2335
BRETHREN CHURCHES'
125 190 450
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
250 1060 1595
, CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
298 309 459
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
- 60 375
METHODIST CHURCHES
,1525 1948 2900
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES
110 293 790
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
642 1204 2280
Total
3,286 5,639 11,184
This table should be read as followsî The Baptist Churches had in
1921 a total membership of 336; in 1926, 585; in 1931, 2,335.
26
The actual number of young people in each denomination, and the
percentage of young people in the total membership of each denomination
are shown by Table XI. In connection with these statistics, it is in
teresting to note that the Methodist and Presbyterian denominations
have a very low percentage of young people. This presents a real prob
lem, for both of these churches should have a larger percentage of
young people because of infant sprinkling. Through this practice, they
get the child nominally into their membership before the child makes a
choice. Why do they lose their young people? Is their power to hold
these young people already nominally within their ranks weaker than the
power of churches not following this practice to enlist new members
from among the youths that have reached the age of accountability? It
is no doubt true that many of these youths that were sprinkled while
infants go into other communions, especially fi they have lost "home
ties" and connections with the "old home church"; But we still main
tain that these two denominations should, all other things being equal,
have a larger percentage of young people than those not practicing in
fant sprinkling.
27
TABLE XI
TABLE INDICATING NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN
SIX AND EIGHTEEN YEARS, AND
THE PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP BY
DENOMINATION IN 1931
Denomination 1931 Percent
BAPTIST CHURCHES 362 15.5
BRETHREN CHURCHES 150 33.3
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 239 15.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
48 10.4
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
115 30.6
METHODIST CHURCHES
415 14.3
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES
182 23.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
490 21.4
Total
2,001
This table should be read as follows: Baptist Churches in 1931 had
362 young people in their membership between the ages of six and
eighteen years, which is 15.5 percent of the total membership in 1931
28
A comparison of the number of organizations for the given number
of young people by denominations may be found by comparing the figures
of Tables XI and XII. The relation of the number of organizations to
the number of young people is interesting. The Congregationalists have
the: largest number of organizations per number of young people, having
one organization for every four young people. We have already noted
that the only church going backward is a Congregational Church. Appar
ently the multiplicity of organizations have a disintegrating influence
rather than a helpful influence. The other churches are as follows:
Baptist, one organization for twelve young people;
Brethren, one organization for sixteen young people;
Christian, one organization for ten young people;
Lutheran, one organization for fourteen young people;
Methodist, one organization for thirteen young people;
Presbyterian, one organization for twelve young people.
With the exception of the Congregational Churches, the ratio is
about the same for all denominations. The average for all denomina
tions is one organization for every twelve young people.
29
TABLE XII
TABLE INDICATING NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN
THE CHURCH USED IN CARING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
SIX TO EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE - BY DENOMINATIONS
Denominat i on Number
BAPTIST CHURCHES 29
BRETHREN CHURCHES 8
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 22
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES 12
LUTHERAN CHURCHES 8
METHODIST CHURCHES 31
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES 12
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES 41
Total 163
This table should be read as follows: The Brethren Churches have
twenty-nine organizations for their young people.
so
An interesting picture as regards the adequacy and inadequacy
of church buildings is presented by Table XIII. The Lutherans do
not have a single adequate building in the Southwest, while all the
Congregational buildings are adequate. In spite of this, the Con
gregationalists with their adequate buildings are not making as rapid
progress as the Lutherans. The total shows seventeen buildings ade
quate, and sixteen inadequate. In other words, nearly fifty per cent
of the churches are not even adequately equipped to take care of the
present number of people attending.
TABLE XIII
TABLE INDICATING WHETHER OR NOT BUILDINGS
ARE ADEQUATE
BY DENOMINATION
31
Denominat! on Number
Adequate
Number
Inadequate
BAPTIST CHURCHES 2 3
BRETHREN CHURCHES 1 1
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 3 2
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
3 -
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
- 2
METHODIST CHURCHES
3 4
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES
3 1
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
2 3
Total
17 ' 16
This table should be read as follows; The Baptist Churches have two
adequate buildings and three inadequate buildings.
32
Nearly twice as many churches are without a gymnasium or play lot
as those with a gymnasium or play lot, as shown by Table XIV. Many
church leaders of young people stoutly affirm that the church is better
off without a gymnasium or play lot. The Southwest Section of Los An
geles does afford a goodly number of city parks and playgrounds. Some
of the churches with gymnasiums have already expressed through their
leaders their regret for having spent so much money in play facilities.
Usually, church equipment is inferior to city equipment, and the young
people go to the city playgrounds in preference to church gymnasiums.
Then, too, many of the public schools have opened their gymnasiums,for
the use of boys' and girls' clubs. A few swimming pools are at the
disposal of young people under certain regulations. Swimming instruc
tion is* included with the use of the pool. The only charge that is
made is a very small looker fee. With this kind of service for the
recreation of young people, it is doubtful if the churches should even
attempt to supply gymnasiums and play lots.
TABLE XIV
TABLE INDICATING PLAY LOTS OR GYMS
BY DENOMINATION
33
Denominat i on Gym Play Lot None
BAPTIST CHURCHES ■ - 1 4
BRETHREN CHURCHES 1 - 1
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 1 - 4
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES 1 1 1
LUTHERAN CHURCHES - - 2
LÜETH0DI8T CHURCHES 3 - 4
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES - - 4
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES - 3 2
Total 6 5 22
This table should be read as follows : The Baptist Churches do not
have gymnasiums, one has a play lot, four have neither play lot nor
gymnasium.
34
It was a bit surprising to find that nearly half of the churches
have assistants to the pastor* The greater majority are office sec
retaries, instead of directors of religious education. Table Z7 in
dicates, among other things, that the Lutherans are the only ones
without extra paid leaders beside the regular minister.
35
TABLE XV
TABLE INDICATING ASSISTANTS
BY DENOMiNATION
Denominat i on Assistant None
BAPTIST CHURCHES 2 3
BRETHREN CHURCHES 2 -
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 2 3
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES 1 2
LUTHERAN CHURCHES — 2
METHODIST CHURCHES 2 5
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES 3 1
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES 2 3
Total 14 19
This table should be read as follows : The Baptists have tvro churches
with assistants, three churches without assistants.
36
CHAPTER VI
SPECIFIC STATISTICS,FROM THE EIGHT SELECTED
CHURCHES AND THEIR GROUPS, WITH COMMENTS
In this chapter we have the most difficult work of all— that of
evaluating the work of local churches. The influence the church has
in individual lives is enormous, yet to put a measuring-stick on that
influence is difficult. Thus, to say just how much or how little a
church is succeeding is almost impossible. Some of the churches reach
large numbers, but the large numbers are changed but very little, since
their habits and attitudes of life remain about the same. On the other
hand, a church might reach only a very few individuals, but the lives
of the few be so totally transformed that we cannot minimize the power
of the influence. However, the tone or color of the answers to the
questionnaire serve as a very good index to the spirit that prevails
in each church.
To evaluate the TAork of the organizations within the local church
is even more difficult. Some of the questionnaires were filled in by
the young people themselves. It must be kept in mind, therefore, that
in some cases at least, we have to deal with premature judgment. Some
of the reports may be inflated to suit the desires of an ambitious
leader. On the other hand, some of the young reporters may be modest,
and fearing lest it appear they are "padding" the report, they under
estimate the program. Again, the extraordinary vision of the young
people reporting indicates to a great degree the size of the opportunity
they feel they have before them. In cases where the adult advisor has
filled in the blanks, we face another difficulty, and that is, does the
adult advisor have the point of view necessary to give the actual
37
information, especially in regard to the evaluation placed on the local
program, the purpose of the minister's sermons, and related questions?
These weaknesses in the questionnaire are given merely to show that the
results obtained are not to be considered as the laws of the Medes and
Persians.
There is, however, ample value to this investigation to justify
the time spent in completing it. One minister said that the question
naire has compelled him to recognize that the program of his church was
taken as a matter of course, without very much purposeful direction.
Neither he nor the leaders of the young people could find tangible
answers for many of the simple questions. It forced them to take stock
of their program and evaluate its results. They had been progressing
much the same as a motorist would travel if he took no thought of di
rections, signs, or destinations— his only directed action being the
acceleration of the machine on a smooth, straight road, and slowing
down on crooked and rough roads; the main things accomplished being
the consuming of fuel and a lot of unguided motion. This minister said
that the questionnaire has helped them immeasurably in getting a proper
perspective of the vdiole activity of each organization, and the entire
program of all organizations. This one testimony has been a source of
increased interest in this project. It has proved that one thing of
great importance lacking in our work with young people is a real devel
oping, coherent, constructive, premeditated program. We should be able
to say when five years' contact with a group of young people is com
pleted that certain ideals will have been taught; certain values of
character have been grafted into their lives.
There was a certain fear on the part of some ministers as to the
38
motive behind such a survey. This was especially manifest in the at
titude of some when the names and addresses of the officers and leaders
of the groups within their churches were asked for. Some of the min
isters may have felt that there might be some attempt at "stealing
sheep", or some reactionary feelings aroused in their leaders towards
their own church. It was finally decided that we must abandon the hope
of interviewing the officers and leaders of the groups in the eight
specific churches, and handle it all through the pastors. In some ways,
this may have been just as well as to have had the young people filling
in the questionnaires independent of the minister. The ministers were
no doubt able to assist in the difficult points. Then, too, the min
isters were all very kind in pushing the project to conipletion. On the
other hand, we had hoped through personal interviews with the officers
and leaders to get some further information orally. No doubt many of
the questions that went unanswered could, have been answered if there
had been a personal conference. Some of the answers could even have
been made more definite. On the whole, the response has been satisfac
tory, and the statistics are very reliable.
39
It can be seen at a glance by looking at Table XVI that Sunday
School classes and boys’ and girls’ clubs make up the majority of or
ganizations among the young people. This is not to say that at least
some of the Sunday School classes do not have club activities through
the week, nor that some of the clubs do not have classes at the Sunday
School hour. One of the astonishing things indicated on this table is
the comparatively few organizations that meet in the evening before the
church service. This type of organization is usually known as the
Christian Endeavor, Epworth League, and similar organizations. The
table indicates that there is a weakness in this part of the program,
for there are only nine organizations that meet at the Sunday evening
hour, while at least twenty meet at the morning hour. The Sunday even
ing meeting is usually given over largely to an expressional program
of the youth, the young people leading the meetings, offering the
prayers, leading the singing, etc., and therefore, is highly essential
to a complete program for youth. Such a program is necessary if the
youth are to learn how to use the knowledge imparted to them by the
church.
TABLE XVI
TABLE SHOWING THE NATURE OF ORGANIZATIONS
40
Name of Organization Number
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES 11
BOYS* CLUBS 6
GIRLS * CLUBS 6
DRAMATIC CLUBS 2
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES 4
EPWORTH LEAGUE 1
LIGHT BRIGADE 1
LUTHER LEAGUE 1
QUEEN ESTHER 1
LOYAL TEMPERANCE LEGION AND JUNIOR MISSIONARY
SOCIETY ’ 1
Total 54
This table should be read as follows: There are eleven Sunday School
Class organizations; six Boys* Clubs, etc.
41
It is very interesting to note the importance given to the phrase
"Christian training" in describing the purpose of the organization, as
indicated on Table XVII, This table represents some duplicates in or
ganization, since the answers sometimes included two aspects for the
same group, e* g., "Christian training" and "Bible study". All of the
expressions were recorded so that a true picture of the emphasis given
by the leaders or officers is.here shown. This fact makes this table
one of the most important, as it indicates the point of emphasis in the
organizations. While no doubt, nearly all organizations touch all the
purposes indicated, yet we have a definite knowledge of what is upper
most in the minds of those filling in the questionnaires.. It was a
shocking surprise to find that only one paper laid stress on "Good cit
izenship". It seems strange, when so many clubs are represented isdiich
usually lay extraordinary stress on citizenship, that this point should
have slipped by with scarcely a passing notice. It was not expected
that Bible study would fall below both the recreational and social in
importance. This can be accounted for, we believe, in the fact that so
many of the organizations are of the club type, an.d great stress is laid
upon the recreational and social activities of such groups. Another
astonishing revelation is found in that only two pointed out that their
organization "provided expressional work". This purpose is made prom
inent in groups like Christian Endeavor and Epworth League, but seem
ingly the leaders and officers have not put it to the front. This may
be one of the reasons for the weakness of the young people’s work in
the Southwest. If the young people were given some definite expres-
sional activities, there would no doubt be more interest shown, and a
contagious enthusiasm developed.
TABLE XVII
TABLE INDICATING THE STATED PURPOSE OF THE
ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCHES
42
Purpose Number
"Christian Training” 18
"Recreation" 8
"Social" 8
"Bible Study" 7
"Impart Missionary Information" 5
"Provide Expressional Work" 2
"Good Citizenship" 1
This table should be read as follows; The number of organizations
giving "Christian Training" as the purpose of their organization is
eighteen.
43
The range of attendance in all three types of groups, the mixed
groups, the hoys, and the girls, is shown by Tables XVIII, XIX, and
XX. As is to be expected, the groups having the largest attendance
would be the mixed groups, there being twelve such organizations with
an average attendance of sixteen or over. Only three mixed groups
have an attendance under sixteen. It was not expected that the boys
would have the least number of organizations, especially since they
appear to be greatly interested in clubs. Girls are usually quite
willing to do without any special organization. But this survey re
veals the fact that the boys are surpassed by both the mixed and girls'
groups. The boys and girls each have just one organization with an
attendance of sixteen or over. The average attendance for each organ
ization of boys is ten, while the girls, with their two and one-half
times as many organizations, have an average attendance of only eleven.
It is quite interesting to note the large number of organizations of
girls that have an average attendance of twelve.
44
TABLE XVIII
TABLE SHOWING
OF MIXED
THE RANGE OF ATTENDANCE
GROUP ORGANIZATIONS
Average Attendance Organizations
5 or less -
6
-
7
-
8 2
9 -
10 1
12 -
14
-
16 or over 12
Total 15
This table should be read as follows: There are no mixed group
organizations with an average attendance of five or less.
45
TABLE XIX
TABLE SHOWING THE RANGE OF ATTENDANCE
0 1 ^ ’ BOYS’ ORGANIZATIONS
Average Attendance Organi z at i ons
5 or less 2
6 -
7 —
8 1
9 -
10 2
12 1
14 1
16 or over 1
Total 8
This table should be read as followsî There are two boys* or
ganizations with an average attendance of five or less.
46
TABLE XX
TABLE SHOWING THE RANGE OF ATTENDANCE
OF GIRLS* ORGANIZATIONS
Average Attendance Organizations
5 or less 1
6 3
7 2
8 -
9 -
10 1
12 13
14 -
16 or over 1
Total 21
This table should be read as follows; There is one girls* or
ganization with an attendance of five or less. '
47
The overwhelming majority of organizations having some kind of
a social program is shown by Table XXI. It is rather coincident that
one each of the boys, girls, and mixed groups should be without a
social program.
TABLE XXI
TABLE SHOWING THOSE WITH AND WITHOUT
SOCIAL PROGRAMS
48
Boys’
Org.
Girls *
Org.
Mixed
Group
Org.
Those with Social Programs 6 7 13
Those without Social Programs 1 1 1
Total 7 8 14
This table should be read as follows; The number of Boys* organ
izations with a Social Program is six; Girls’ organizations,
seven; Mixed organizations, 13.
49
The social programs seem to be very well outlines, as indicated
on Table XXII. Only one organization is without a regular social
program of some kind. Fully two-thirds of those groups making trips
have religious services while away.
50
TABLE XXII
ANALYSIS OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WITH SOCIAL PROGRAMS
Number that have regular social programs 25
Number having irregular social programs 1
Number taking trips 23
Number that have religious service while on trips 16
This table should be read as follows; The number of organiza
tions that have regular social programs is twenty-five.
51
We learn that over fifty percent of those who answered believe
they are reaching "all the members of the church" of their age group,
as shown by Table XXIII. This speaks very highly of the effective
ness of their prograins, if this is absolutely correct. We are not
aiming to doubt the integrity of those who answered ; to the contrary,
we believe them all to be very honest and sincere, yet we wonder if
there is a possibility that some of their age group are overlooked.
It must be a source of satisfaction on the part of these leaders and
officers to know that every one they can possibly reach is already a
member of their group. There is quite a range of difference between
the fifteen who believe they are reaching all the members of the church
in their age group, and the one that reported only twelve and one-half
percent were being reached. With this one exception of twelve and one-
half percent, all the rest say they reach fifty percent and more, which
fact indicates a good average.
TABLE XXIII
TABLE INDICATING THE ATTITUDE AS TO
WHETHER "ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF YOUR GROUP
AGE" ARE BEING REACHED
52
Number who believe they reach all 15
Number who believe they reach 95^ 1
Number who believe they reach 90^ 1
Number who believe they reach 85^ 2
Number who believe they reach 8O9S 2
Number who believe they reach 75fo 2
Nunber who believe they reach 50^ 4
Number who believe they reach 12^ 1
This table should be read as follows: The number of organizations
that believe they reach all the members of the church in their age
group are fifteen.
55
In giving reasons why the organization fails to reach all the
members of the church in their age group, as shown in Table XXIV, half
of them state "other reasons", indicating that most of those unreached
are disinterested. The other half of the answers place the blame on
the organization, its programs, or members. Prom the fact that sixteen
blame individuals outside of the organization because of disinterest,
and six blame individuals inside the organization because of poor lead
ership, we see that the large majority are willing to blame "someone
else" for the failure of the organization to accomplish its work.
54
TABLE XXIV
TABLE INDICATING REASONS GIVEN FOR FAILURE
TO REACH "ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH
OF YOUR GROUP AGE"
Reasons Nuirber
Fault of Organization 6
Uninteresting Programs 2
Unfriendliness of Members 2
Poor Leadership 6
Other Reasons 16
Total 32
This table should be read as follows: Fault of organization is
the reason given by six organizations for failure to reach all
the members of the church of their group age.
55
Out of thirty-four returned questionnaires, only twenty stated
that they had a program for helping the poor, and twelve definitely
plan a program, to cheer the shut-ins, (see Table XXV), This is a very
low percentage, it would appear. Organizations connected with the
church surely should have some definite project for helping the poor
and cheering the unfortunate ones. This serves as a great compelling
motive in Christian activity. The failure of these organizations to
have such a program may the reason more young people are not flocking
to their assistance.
56
TABLE XXV
TABLE GIVING ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM
FOR HELPING OTHERS
Number having program for helping poor 20
Number having program for cheering shut-ins 12
Number having a program of general uplift 7
This table should be read as follows: The number of organizations
having a program for helping the poor is twenty.
57
A healthy condition in the matter of the organizations assisting
in the program of the church is shown by Table XXVI. Certainly, an or
ganization that will not be of assistance to the church that mothers it
is not worthy of the church. It could be wished that every church or
ganization would work for church attendance. Without regular and en
thusiastic church-goers, the heart of the interest in church work is
taken out. Young people can assist greatly in promoting church atten
dance •
58
TABLE XXVI
ANALYSIS OF THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATIONS
IN FURTHERING THE GENERAL PROGRAM OF THE CHURCH
Assist in church services by plays, programs, etc. ' 19
Purposeful financial help as an organization 16
Work for church attendance 1
Contribute to all social activities 1
Choir or orchestra 4
Participation in monthly fellowship dinners 1
Junior church 1
This table should be read as follows: The number of organizations
that assist in church services by plays, programs, etc., is nine
teen.
59
Some extremely interesting facts are brought out in Table XXVII.
All but one organization describe the activities of their churches as
"inspiring and helpful". This we think is to be expected, but the next
item bears out the same attitude of mind as did the former table; that
is, they are reaching the young people of their age group. In regard
to Table XXIII, we have no information on which to base a doubt, but in
this instance, where we are talking of the "young people in the commun
ity", we have facts. Twenty-one of the organizations say they are
reaching the young people of their community, while only eight admit
they are not. To say that an organization is reaching the young people
of a community when seventy-nine percent are not being influenced, as
indicated by the comparison with public school figures, is preposterous.
This indicates a dwarfed vision of the field on the part of the leaders,
or, what is perhaps true in some cases, no vision at all. Again, over
twice as many stated that the conception of the social and recreational
program is adequate. The church officials are people of vision by a
vote of twenty-seven to three. The adequacy of the finances is the only
question on which there was even a semblance of equality. All of this
high rating of the church in the face of its gross deficiency in the
Southwest nearly causes one to say there is a self-sufficiency on the
part of the leaders. If this is not true, there is certainly a lack
of vision and appreciation of the vast opportunities this section af
fords.
60
TABLE XXVII
TABLE INDICATING OPINION OF THOSE FILLING
IN THE QUESTIONNAIRES AS TO "THE PROGRAM OF RELIGIOUS
ACTIVITIES OF YOUR CHURCH"
Question Yes No
Inspiring and helpful? 24 1
Are you reaching the young people of your community?
Is the conception of the social and recreational
21 8
programs adequate? 19 9
Are the church officials people of vision? 27 3
Is the church adequately supported financially? 18 12
This table should be read as follows: The number of churches
having a program of religious activity that is inspiring and help
ful is twenty-four ; the number of churches that do not such a
program is one.
61
In regard to the pastor, thirty out of thirty-four answered the
questions concerning his sermons, (see Table XXVIII). Only one was
dissatisfied with the pastor’s sermons. A very large percentage in
dicated that sermons were for the purpose of winning new converts,
and giving instruction in Bible and spiritual knowledge. Only three
had the "social gospel” in mind, according to their answers.
62
TABLE XXVIII
TABLE INDICATING THE PURPOSE OF THE
PASTOR’S SERMONS
Number answering this query - 30
Number not answering this query 4
Number having a truly evangelical attitude, e. g., the
winning of people to Christ 27
Number having a distinctly social idea, e. g., to make
people feel better, make them live better 3
Number who believed their pastor’s sermons were what
they should be 29
Number who were dissatisfied with their pastor’s sermons 1
This table should be read as follows; The number of persons an
swering the query regarding the purpose of the pastor’s sermons
was thirty.
63
CHAPTER VII
COMPARISON OF THE WORK BEING DONE WITH THE
SIZE OF THE FIELD
For a leader to say, "We are doing good work with the group that
attends church,” does not indicate a grasp of the vaotness of the work
of the church. The work of the church is so imperative that it should
be going forward at maximum speed continuously. It is easy to under
stand that at times a steamship must run at half speed; at other times,
three-quarter speed; while at other times, full speed. But this is not
true of Christian work. The message of Christ and its redeeming power
has the right to be put forward at full speed all of the time. If the
churches of the Southwest are reaching only a portion of the field,
there is a deficiency in the work somewhere. We do not contend that
the church can command the interest of every young person. There are
some young people who would refuse to have anything to do with the
church if Jesus were here today. However, a large majority of the
young people can be influenced by the church if proper methods are
used. It has been pointed out that twenty-seven million of the fifty-
two million young people in the United States under twenty-one. years of
age are receiving absolutely no religious instruction. It is not rea
sonable to believe that more than half of the young people of our na
tion refuse religious instruction. To the contrary, we believe it is
largely the fault of the church. It has failed in making religious
education as wide-spread as secular education. While the very genius
of our National liberties precludes any possibility of making religious
education obligatory on our youth, yet the church can, we believe, make
it so interesting and alluring that far more than the present percentage
64
will be receiving religious education*
In order to arrive at any definite conclusion as to the situation
in our section now under study, from the Board of Education we secured
the number of enrolled students in the public schools of this section.
We included all public schools that have pupils up to eighteen years of
age. There may be the objection raised that these figures are not giv
ing a true picture, since no count of the Catholic Church children was
made in the church survey. We believe this is offset in a large measure
by the fact that there are at least four large parochial schools in this
district. There are no doubt some Catholics attending the public
schools, but only a very small percentage of their young people attend
the public schools. We have not been able to check on Jewish synagogues,
of which there are two in this district; nor have the Christian Scien
tists been counted.
The number of young people enrolled in the public schools of this
section the fall term of 1931 was 9,512. The total number of young
people touched by the churches was 2,001. In other words, the churches
of the Southwest are reaching twenty-one percent of the young people.
This is a staggering revelation. This percentage is two and one-half
times lower than the figures for the entire United States. However, we
must take into account the fact that those receiving Jewish, Christian
Science instruction, as well as the few Catholics in the public schools,
have not been counted in this figure. Of course, rural sections have
a very high percentage of young people influenced by and connected with
the church, but we wonder if this would make up for the tremendous de
ficiency of this section of Los Angeles. We wonder if all cities are
as weak in religious influence over youth as is this section. It would
65
even be interesting to know if all sections of Los Angeles are as lack
ing in religious influence as this section. Perhaps some sections are
worse. No doubt, the general percentage of the United States is raised
considerably by cities and towns that owe their existence to the found
ing of some religious colony. Salt Lake City, a Mormon city, will serve
as a good example.
It will be necessary for the proper understanding of the problem,
to make some general comparisons in this section. The total population
of this area, as has already been pointed out, is 160,007. The total
Protestant Evangelical membership, all ages, is 11,184, or a trifle less
than seven percent. In other words, ninety-three percent are not being
influenced by Protestant Evangelical Christianity. There are thirty-
six such churches in this section. We are sure they could not even
seat the membership of the various churches in their buildings if they
should all attend the same service in their respective churches. In
spite of this fact, only sixteen questionnaires stated that their pres
ent buildings were inadequate. Practically all that were inadequate
need added room for Sunday School and recreational facilities, while
only one or two need a larger auditorium for worship. This indicates
the sad fact that people, adults as well as young people, are not at
tending worship services. We raise the question— does this have any
bearing on the failure of the church to reach the youth?
According to our findings, thus far twenty-one percent of the
young people of the Southwest are influenced by the church; while
fifty-two percent of the young people’s population of the United
States is influenced by the church. This indicates that the Southwest
is less than half as efficient in giving religious instruction as is
the entire United States. This means that, while Los Angeles claims
66
leadership in many things, she is sadly lacking in religious instruc
tion, at least, in the Southwest section.
The churches are well distributed eunong the population. Every
family has a church within easy walking distance of its home; however,
it may not be of its particular denomination. Street car and bus ser
vice are as good as the average city. However, most of the families
in the Southwest have passenger cars. Therefore, since the churches
are not inaccessible, this cannot be a reason for the non-attendance
of the people at church services.
Another interesting comparison is that while the Protestant Evan
gelical churches are reaching twenty-one percent of the young people,
they are only reaching seven percent of the population as a whole.
This must be considered in relation to the fact that none of the
churches count children under six years of age, while the United States
census, from which the total figures are taken, does count this group.
While all of the comparisons could not be finely drawn because of
the failure of statistics to coincide in every detail, it is very easy
to see the great deficiency on the part of the program of the churches.
By no stretch of an inflated imagination can they be said to be ade
quate for the field.
67
CHAPTER VIII
CONCLUSION
After conducting this study, a few conclusions present themselves
with unusual force. The first is the utter impossibility of complete
co-operation of Protestant ministers on any one project. This fact has
long been expounded by leaders in projects extending over a large area,
or where denominational matters were involved. But since this survey
covered only a srmll area, in which all ministers might call themselves
neighbors in the true sense of the word; and further, the information
received would prove helpful; and still further, no denominational mat
ters were involved, we hoped for unanimous participation. However, the
old statement so often repeated that Protestant ministers will not
unite proved true in this instance. After repeated efforts on our part
to obtain the questionnaires, three of the ministers failed to comply
with our request, one giving the excuse that he did not care to fill
it in. We received thirty-three answers from thirty-six questionnaires,
and the magnanimous spirit of these thirty-three was a constant drive
in completing this survey, in order that they might receive such bene
fit as may be obtained from this work.
Secondly: At the present, (nor in the past, so far as we have
discovered), there is no minister that has raised his head above the
walls of his own "church yard" and peered over the vast field. Each
church seems to be busy promoting its local program. This condition
of the lack of united efforts is seen also in the Christian Endeavor
district work. It has been very difficult in the past two years to
keep the Christian Endeavor organizational set-up intact. We believe
this attitude on the part of the young people is a reflection of the
68
situation among the ministers. It is very difficult to get a repre
sentative meeting of the ministers. This is no doubt due to the fact
that the ministers are over-run with ministerial meetings, city wide
and denominational. It does seem, however, that a Southwest Ministers*
Meeting would be a great boon to effective, purposeful work in this
section.
A united canvass of the territory would prove highly beneficial to
the work of all -the churches. In this work, a good, general religious
census card could be used, and after the survey is made, an exchange of
cards according to church preference, so that all the prospects could
be contacted. If hearty co-operation could be obtained, a permanent
system could be installed, in which a certain church would be made re
sponsible for a specific section, talcing note of all people moving into
that section, getting the regular cards filled in by these people, and
then notifying the pastor of the church that would be able to care for
them spiritually. Each church would have its own local organization to
take care of this perpetual canvassing, so that the work would be evenly
distributed. The importance of a work of this kind can easily be seen
when we realize that there is a greater influx of new people to Los An
geles than to any other city in the United States. Then, too, there is
a continual shifting of residence, so that a local church has a diffi
cult time keeping in touch with all its members. Many times, families
will move to a different section of the city and will not be able to
return to their home church. Rather than hunt up a new church home
in their new neighborhood, they fail to stay in the church work. A
call from some church near them would in many instances get them back
into the church. Such a call would not only get them interested in the
church, but it would give the church the information that would lead
69
them to an intelligent contact with the family. If a permanent set-up
of this kind could not be realized now, perhaps an annual or biennial
canvass could be promoted with power. If all the membership of all the
churches in the Southwest knew that 1932, 1934 and 1936 would be the
years of a general canvass, they would no doubt be ready each time for
the task. Then each church would have a background for a membership
crusade by any method of evangelism they might choose. This would have
a great influence on the young people’s work. Young people could be
used in the canvass. With such consistent activity, the young people
would be schooled in the importance and mechanics of church work. The
young people’s organizations would be bound to benefit, both from in
creased membership and intensified efforts.
Out of such unified and co-operative effort, there might develop a
sectional Evangelistic Meeting for Southwest alone. Some National evan
gelist could be called, and a tabernacle erected in the central part of
this area. So-called ’ ’city-wide’ ’ campaigns in a city like Los Angeles
cannot in the very nature of our city’s geographical constitution be a
real city-wide campaign. Only a very few out of the vast population
can get into the place of meeting. Or, if such a place as the Olympic
Stadium or Hollywood Bowl be secured, the transportation problem would
be an unsurmountab1e obstacle. The good derived from so-called "city-
wide" campaigns is in the spirit generated in the leaders of local
churches that can attend the meetings, who in turn go back to their
church and enthuse the members in doing more work for the local church.
If, however, the churches would centralize their efforts in this area,
and locate the meeting-place somewhere near the center of the 160,007
population, the distance of travel from the farthest corner would not
exceed three miles. The several neighborhood newspapers would serve
70
well in advertising, while a much-needed community spirit could be dev
eloped in promoting the campaign. The results would be seen in the
local churches, thus adding increased enthusiasm by both the preachers
and the laity. If such a meeting would follow a canvass such as was out
lined in the previous paragraph, no one could estimate the results that
might follow, if the proper spirit prevailed among the workers. This
would mean the undergirding of the young people's work. The spirit of
evangelism would permeate their church activity.
The work of the young people would be greatly helped if there could
be a general and undenominational meeting for inspiration and the gen
erating of enthusiasm for work in this section, at least twice a year.
At present, the young people are divided into Christian Endeavor, Bap
tist Young People's Union, Epworth League, Luther League, etc. Such
divisions in organization are not conducive to the best type of work or
influence, when they all claim to be following the same Christ and wor
shiping the same God.
Finally, until a few statesimnlike leaders will face the enormous
opportunity of the Southwest and set about to seize upon it, this sec
tion is doomed to the same mediocrity that now marks its spiritual
program. Individual churches will continue to make progress no doubt,
but the great mass will go untouched. "Fly-by-night" projects will
come and go, leaving only a few "select souls" to mark their labors.
The young people will rise up, some in the church, some out of the
church, depending upon their ancestry, but certainly not influenced
by any comprehensive program to make Southwest Christian. No doubt
present leaders could effect such a program if they would unite their
efforts. Whatever the means, the end is desirable. However, we would
suggest that this matter be presented at a meeting of the ministers
71
of the churches of the Southwest section in the near future, at which
time the results of this survey be given, the problem discussed, and
definite action taken toward a house-to-house visitation, working up to
a unified evangelistic effort,which, with the Lord’s help, can be the
means of saving souls, strengthening their young people’s work, and
developing a splendid community spirit among the churches of the South
west section. Then, "forgetting the things which are behind, and
stretching forward to the things which are before," we may "press on
toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus." Philippians 3:13, 14.
APPENDIX A
LOCAL CHURCH QUESTIONNAIRE
72
1. Name of Church
Address
2. Name of Pastor
Address of Res* Phone Office Ph.
3. Name of Assistant
(Either Secy, Director of Rel, Edu,, or Asst Pastor)
Address of Res. ______________________ Phone_______ Office Ph.______
4. Church Membership, 1921. 1926.
Approximate number under 18 years of age
Do you include children under 6 years?__
counted in your membership list?
1931.
If so, how many are
5# In what kind of groups are the people from 6 to 18 years working?
(Sunday School ciasses, C. E.,É. Y. P. U., Epworth League, Clubs, etc)
6. Date of organization of Churchy Building record.
(New tuildings, additions, remodeling, etc•)
What is the present indebtedness? _______ ___
Is present building adequate?_________ ______
Is there a gymnasium or play lot?
Signed,
(The one filling in this question
naire )
' APPENDIX B
YOUNG PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATION QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Church
Address
2, Name of Organization
Description of members.
Age Sex
73
3. Officers:
Office__
Office___
Office___
Office
Office.
.Name.
.Name
.Name.
_Name^
, Name.
Address.
Address.
.Address.
Address.
Address.
Phone.
. Phone.
. Phone,
Phone,
Phone,
Officers elected for how long a term?.
4. Purpose of Organization:,
6« Average attendance,
6. Time of Meetings_
Nature of meetings
7. What is your social program?.
Do you take trips or excursions as a group?
When?
— 1—
74
Do you have a religious service while away?.
Describe it brieflv
8. Are you reaching all the members of the Church of your group age?
If not, what percent?. . . . ______Wliat plans, if any, do you have for reach
ing them?........
What do you believe is the reason they do not come?.
Fault of organization? ......
Uninteresting programs ?,
Unfriendliness of members?_
Poor leadership?
Other reasons.
9* What program do you have for helping others?.
Helping the poor ____________________
Cheering the shut-ins
General Social uplift of the community.
10. What do you, as an organization, directly contribute to the general
program of your Church? ... , ------------ - -------
Assist in church services.
Financial.^ _
Etc.
— 2—
11. Give your opinion of the program of religious activity of your Church
75
Are you reaching the young people of your community?,
If not, how many could be reached?^....... - . . .
Is the conception of the Social and Recreational programs adequate?.
Are the Church Officials people of vision?
Is the Church adequately isupported financially?.
12. What do you think should be the purpose of the pastor’s sermons?
Does the Pastor’s sermons answer their purpose?
Signature,
—5—

Linked assets

University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Conceptually similar

PDF

Factors in the making and transmission of our Bible

PDF

Selected Heinrich Gomperz's manuscripts in the Hoose Library

PDF

The Kingdom of God in the teachings of Jesus

PDF

A study of the historical growth of the social emphasis in Christianity

PDF

Concepts of the church

PDF

A study of Young People's Society programs in selected churches of California

PDF

A program for single young adults at the First Methodist Church of Los Angeles

PDF

A critical evaluation of the church through the story and study of the Imperial Heights Methodist Church, Los Angeles, California

PDF

A study of the Christian youth fellowship of the Wilshire Christian Church of Los Angeles

PDF

A study of the organization adjustment in federated churches of California

PDF

A study of the religious customs and practices of the aborigines of Travancore, South India

PDF

An intensive study of the child's relationship to the worship service of the modern Protestant church

PDF

An evaluation of the program of pastoral calling in the Southern California-Arizona Conference of the Methodist Church

PDF

A study in the possibility and realization of human contact with deity, based on New Testament teaching

PDF

A study of the Christian Citizenship Program in certain churches in Southwest Los Angeles

PDF

A study of the interpersonal relations of Soren Kierkegaard

PDF

The place of evangelism in the church school (Sunday school) of a certain Protestant denomination (Methodist Episcopal Church South) in the Los Angeles district

PDF

A study of the influence of Essenism upon early Christianity

PDF

The chief objectives and program elements in a selected group of philosophic and religious organizations in Los Angeles

PDF

A survey of the recreational curriculum of selected churches

Asset Metadata

Creator Appelgate, J. Merle (author)

Core Title An inductive study of selected groups of young people's religious activities in the southwest section of Los Angeles

Contributor Digitized by ProQuest (provenance)

Degree Master of Theology

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag OAI-PMH Harvest,philosophy, religion and theology

Format application/pdf (imt)

Language English

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c39-161402

Unique identifier UC11311546

Identifier EP65031.pdf (filename),usctheses-c39-161402 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier EP65031.pdf

Dmrecord 161402

Document Type Thesis

Format application/pdf (imt)

Rights Appelgate, J. Merle

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the au...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA