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SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD 381
topics committees for developing the lesson courses for the various departments
of the Training Union. The age group specialists also conduct departments in
The Baptist Training Union Magazine, in which are published helps for presenting
the programs, study course work, and the Daily Bible Readers' Courses. All
the editors in the Training Union Department also do some field work, and thus
are able to make a first-hand study in the churches of how all materials are
being used. Continuous research to help to determine needs and how to meet
them is also carried on through questionnaires and discussion groups.
MAJOR EMPHASES IN THE TRAINING UNION
CURRICULUM FOR 1946
The central theme of the Training Union curriculum for 1946 is "Christ
Above All." The monthly themes around which the lesson courses are constructed
are as follows: January, Christ Is Above All in His Being; February,
Christ Is Above All as Creator; March, Christ Is Above All as Saviour; April,
Christ Above All on the Lord's Day; May, Christ Above All in Our Homes; June,
Christ Above All in Education; July, Christ Above All in Our Citizenship;
August, Christ Above All in Race Relations; September, Christ Above All in
Our Church Life; October, Christ Above All in Economic Life; November, Christ
Above All in Our Possessions; December, Christ Above All in Our Hearts.
The ultimate purpose of the Training Union curriculum is realized only as
it functions in the churches to help the church members grow in the image of
Christ, become more useful workers in their churches and better witnesses for
Christ in the world.
CIRCULATION OF TRAINING UNION PERIODICALS INCREASING
The circulation of the Training Union periodicals is increasing rapidly. In
the fourth quarter of 1944 it was 911,083 copies as compared with 1,031,104 in
the fourth quarter of 1945. The table showing the circulation of all periodicals
will be found in the Division of Education and Promotion.
DEPARTMENT OF HOME CURRICULUM
JOE W. BURTON. Editor
The Department of Home Curriculum was established by the Sunday School
Board on October 24, 1945. Unanimous approval was given to Dr. Clifton J.
Allen's recommendation for the creation of this department in the Division of
Editorial Service. At the same time, also on Dr. Allen's recommendation, I was
elected head of the Department and editor of the materials to be issued in this
field.
My acceptance, effective as of January 1, 1946, came after weeks of prayerful
consideration. It was prompted by no assent of heart to any minification of
the place and need for the mission agency to which I had given ten years' service;
the urgency of that Board's mission is ingrained in the warp and woof
of my spirit; the necessity of its ministry is of the very essence of my being.
Home Missions, I must know, is in large measure the very soul of Southern
Baptists. Woe has come upon us when its spirit finds a dull response in our
hearts.
It was rather with some feeling that a new and most urgently needed outlet
to missionary compassion was being entered that I turned from my responsibilities
as secretary of education with the Home Mission Board to undertake a
direct ministry to the homes of our land. There is at least an implied relation
between Home Missions and a mission to the homes.
My response to the Sunday School Board's invitation grew out of the prevailing
factors which provoked the creation of the Department of Home Curriculum.
These factors may be summarized as follows:
1. The home is the primary social institution.
2. The home has a basic, primary, and continuing spiritual function.
3. Trends in modern society threaten the solidarity and spiritual usefulness
of homes today.
4. Alert Christian leaders are aware of these conditions and look to the
denomination for positive help.