Guide to the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of Christian Education Division of Field Service Records

As of March 1, 1944, the newly-established Division of Field Service assumed administration of the total field program of the Board of Christian Education. Prior to that date, the field directors had been related directly to the office of the General Secretary. The primary responsibility of the Division of Field Service was to maintain a well-balanced program of educational, promotional, administrative, and interdenominational field service. The educational program included practical service to the leaders of local churches in all phases of work from children to pastors. The promotional activities were to develop interest in Christian Education, good will toward the Board's program and a generous response in prayer and gifts. Administrative field work included those business relationships essential to the total program. Interdenominational work included such relationships with other religious education organizations as would be mutually helpful in advancing Christian Education as effectively as possible. Specific functions of the Division of Field Service included: engaging and instructing the members of the field staff; counseling and overseeing their activities; providing the equipment necessary for carrying out the work; visiting the fields to review the work being done and counsel the field personnel and committees of Christian Education with whom they cooperated in the synods and presbyteries where they served; reviewing the monthly reports of field staff; administering the budget of the Division; handling correspondence, preparing reports and publicity; reporting to Board meetings.

The Reverend William Ralph Hall, D.D. (1880-1953), who had devoted virtually his entire career to administrative and educational work of the Board of Christian Education, was elected Secretary of the Division of Field Service and held this position until December 31, 1949.

In addition to field directors, who represented the Board of Christian Education, field staff included field representatives, who served the Board of Christian Education and the Board of National Missions. The latter, at first designated "joint" field representatives, were elected by, and were responsible to, the Interboard Commission on National Missions and Christian Education. Regarding division of responsibilities for the field representatives, financial arrangements and general administration as to reports, et cetera, centered in the Board of National Missions, while the Division of Field Service carried the secretarial work, taking of minutes, calling of meetings, et cetera.