^ob) to (i^rpnt^e a 
 Cturtf) Jfeiieration 
 
 It seems essential that very simple prac- 
 tical suggestions be made as to the methods 
 of forming a local Church Federation. 
 The procedure is the same whether the 
 organization be for town, county, city, 
 or state. 
 
 There must first be adequate leadership. 
 It is also imperative that no time be lost by 
 needless experimentation. Many counties, 
 cities, and states have effective Federations 
 of Churches which have, as a central 
 clearing house, the Federal Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in America. This na- 
 tional Church Federation being a fact, the 
 formation of a Local Federation is but the 
 local application of the modern principle of 
 federal union as expressed by both the 
 commonwealths and the churches of the 
 American nation. 
 
 It is recommended that those who seek 
 to form local federations secure co-opera- 
 
tion with national and state leaders for the 
 plans which have stood repeated tests. 
 This applies especially to model constitU' 
 tions. It may also prove helpful to co-op- 
 erate with speakers of practical experience 
 to guide in the preliminary steps of forming 
 new federations. 
 
 The process of organization is as follows: 
 
 Three meetings are customary for the 
 work. 
 
 The first of these is the Preliminary Con- 
 ference at which the needs of the com- 
 munity and churches and the purpose and 
 plan of organization are thorougly dis- 
 cussed. A committee is appointed to draw 
 up a Constitution to be reported at the next 
 meeting. 
 
 The second meeting, which shall have 
 been authorized and appointed by the 
 first, is known as the Organizing Confer- 
 ence. At this it is well to have present, 
 as far as possible, persons from all the de- 
 nominations or congregations which it is 
 proposed to federate. The call should 
 mention the number of persons to represent 
 each denomination or congregation. At 
 least one- half of these official delegates 
 should be laymen. These should settle 
 upon the Constitution which they wish to 
 
have adopted for the government of the 
 Federation when it is fully formed. Those 
 who meet in response to this call should 
 not hesitate to proceed with the organiza^ 
 tion because all invited may not have re^ 
 sponded. 
 
 It shall be the business of this Organizing 
 Conference to send for officia ratification 
 and adoption, to the various congregations, 
 conferences, conventions, synods or other 
 church meetings, the Constitution which 
 has been formed or selected. It is also the 
 business of this Organizing Conference to 
 ask the same congregations, conferences, 
 conventions, synods, or other church meet- 
 ings to elect official representative delegates 
 to the next meeting which is to complete the 
 organization of the Federation. 
 
 The third and final meeting for organi- 
 zing purposes is, in reality, the First Meeting 
 of the Federation. The new comprehen- 
 sive, interdenominational organization is 
 now fully formed and is in readiness to 
 begin its real organic life and service in be- 
 half of the entire community or state, ac- 
 cording to the resources and leadership 
 which it can command. The methods of 
 organizing and conducting a Federation are 
 identical, whatever the units federated may 
 be. This, however, does not apply to 
 
One' Minister Federations of churches in 
 country villages. 
 
 It is desirable that each Federation should 
 make at the outset provision for the neces' 
 sary expenses of some form of permanent 
 executive leadership. 
 
 In communities where Ministers' AssO' 
 ciations. Federations of Church Brother' 
 hoods, Evangelistic Campaigns, Men and 
 Religion Conservation Committees, or other 
 cO'Operative community movements are 
 in the field, the work of federating the 
 Churches should take into consideration 
 these movements as temporary or partial 
 phases or potential committees of the sub' 
 stantial, inclusive and abiding work of a 
 Church Federation, the distinctive charac' 
 ter of which is to represent and promote 
 perpetually the religious and moral life and 
 welfare of the entire community. 
 
 FEDERAL COUNCIL 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA 
 
 National Office 
 
 6 1 2 United Charities Building 
 105 EAST 22nd STREET, NEW YORK