Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. World Order Movement

The World Order Movement was instituted by the General Assembly (PCUSA) in 1944 to promote a churchwide educational campaign to address the problems of establishing and maintaining a durable peace based upon Christian principles. Acting through the Department of Social Education and Action of the Board of Christian Education, the Movement was based upon the belief that the Church's membership must endorse and support America's participation in a world organization if world peace was to be maintained. On November 12, 1944, a churchwide observance of "World Order Sunday" was held, followed immediately by a series of one-day conferences held in 22 synods across the US. In early 1945, local church seminars were conducted with materials designed for special age and interest groups. The Movement continued through early 1945, calling upon churches to promote the United Nations Charter and encouraging participation in meetings relative to current US foreign policy considerations.