1923 - Church Division and The Dancing Preacher
Despite the growth of the neighborhood, and the church, the country was experiencing many economic hardships in the aftermath of World War I. By this time, many churches had already separated from the Christian Church over issues related to instrumental music, and how to provide for mission work. The 1906 census listed Churches of Christ as a separate denomination for the first time. Since each congregation was autonomous, there was no definitive separation, just a drifting apart over time.
Lexington became a focal point of this separation due to the teaching method of the College of the Bible faculty. In addition to more traditional methods, the new scientific method was being applied to the study of scripture. Between 1917 and 1920 the new method of educating ministers became controversial and culminated in what were called the “Heresy Trials,” where the college faculty were accused, but eventually acquitted of all charges. But the dispute led to another division within the denomination.
Nationally, the work of the church was being consolidated in Indianapolis where missionary societies were setting up offices and overseeing the production of educational materials and financial programs. The congregations that were opposed to such centralization and the new teaching methodology withdrew and became independent churches.
In Lexington, the Broadway Christian Church caused quite a division when it withdrew from the “brotherhood,” as the Christian Churches had thought of themselves at the time. But still, there was no formal division since the independent churches did not recognize any “cooperative” structure. Despite the economic conditions and the loss of as many as thirty families who split along with the Broadway congregation, the Woodland Christian Church continued to press on with its ambitious building plan and its new minister.
In 1923, Woodland Pastor Hayes Farish would begin his, and Woodland’s, commitment to the education of the laity. The church hired Roy Moreland, its first Director of young people’s activities. The youth attended conferences, organized games, promoted socials, held supper meetings, and received training in Christian ideals. In 1926, the church held its first four-week Vacation Bible School, a tradition that lasted for years. Farish was active with the youth. He enjoyed singing, fishing, swimming, and cooking, and he was known for his fish fry’s.
The congregation learned that a member of the Woodland youth group took a Victrola on a church picnic, and the youth had danced. Many congregations, at the time, were sensitive to Biblical admonitions against anything that might tempt another person to sin and a local minister pejoratively dubbed Farish the “dancing preacher.” He faced questioning from the church board and confirmed reports of the event. It was suggested that a wiener roast should replace youth dancing, and he readily agreed. But the following month, Farish reported that as soon as the youth finished eating their hot dogs, they disappeared into the woods again, leaving Farish with a lady counselor by the campfire. “When they were dancing,” Farish said, “he knew where everyone was, and exactly what they were doing.” One member of the board resigned, but dancing met with little objection after that.
Ibid. Trader 2008, 40-47, 60, 78, 85.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-dance.html
Lexington became a focal point of this separation due to the teaching method of the College of the Bible faculty. In addition to more traditional methods, the new scientific method was being applied to the study of scripture. Between 1917 and 1920 the new method of educating ministers became controversial and culminated in what were called the “Heresy Trials,” where the college faculty were accused, but eventually acquitted of all charges. But the dispute led to another division within the denomination.
Nationally, the work of the church was being consolidated in Indianapolis where missionary societies were setting up offices and overseeing the production of educational materials and financial programs. The congregations that were opposed to such centralization and the new teaching methodology withdrew and became independent churches.
In Lexington, the Broadway Christian Church caused quite a division when it withdrew from the “brotherhood,” as the Christian Churches had thought of themselves at the time. But still, there was no formal division since the independent churches did not recognize any “cooperative” structure. Despite the economic conditions and the loss of as many as thirty families who split along with the Broadway congregation, the Woodland Christian Church continued to press on with its ambitious building plan and its new minister.
In 1923, Woodland Pastor Hayes Farish would begin his, and Woodland’s, commitment to the education of the laity. The church hired Roy Moreland, its first Director of young people’s activities. The youth attended conferences, organized games, promoted socials, held supper meetings, and received training in Christian ideals. In 1926, the church held its first four-week Vacation Bible School, a tradition that lasted for years. Farish was active with the youth. He enjoyed singing, fishing, swimming, and cooking, and he was known for his fish fry’s.
The congregation learned that a member of the Woodland youth group took a Victrola on a church picnic, and the youth had danced. Many congregations, at the time, were sensitive to Biblical admonitions against anything that might tempt another person to sin and a local minister pejoratively dubbed Farish the “dancing preacher.” He faced questioning from the church board and confirmed reports of the event. It was suggested that a wiener roast should replace youth dancing, and he readily agreed. But the following month, Farish reported that as soon as the youth finished eating their hot dogs, they disappeared into the woods again, leaving Farish with a lady counselor by the campfire. “When they were dancing,” Farish said, “he knew where everyone was, and exactly what they were doing.” One member of the board resigned, but dancing met with little objection after that.
Ibid. Trader 2008, 40-47, 60, 78, 85.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-dance.html