Guide to the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. World Order Movement Records

The World Order Movement was instituted in 1944 by the General Assembly (PCUSA). Its purpose was to promote a church wide educational campaign designed to foster an understanding about 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 fully endorse and actively support the effective participation of the United States in a world organization if world peace was to be maintained. The Movement likewise sought to foster an understanding of what the individual Christian's responsibilities were toward that end and how these responsibilities could be discharged in their daily lives.

On November 12, 1944, a church wide observance of "World Order Sunday" was held, followed immediately by a series of one-day conferences held in 22 synods across the US. Between January 14 and February 14, 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 when it came before the Senate and encouraging participation in meetings relative to current US foreign policy considerations.