I had a little tour of the Archives Room today. The chief archivist said: 'Here at this church we have a strong sense of our history.' That's an understatement! I could not believe what I encountered! Since 1899, there are bound copies of each year's bulletins, and also newsletters. I've never even seen such a thing. Equally as amazing, there was a file folder full of articles, pictures, sermons, etc. of each pastor who has served the church!
At the very first church I served in 1989, I dug out a room to use as my office. It was a small rural church, which had been yoked with other churches for many years, served by countless pastors serving multiple charges. I discovered quickly that the "historical record" did not exist in the church. There were several membership books, but not all, and none of the minutes of the official meetings could be found. I was told that most of those books were probably in the homes of the various people who had held office over the years. At each church where I was appointed, I always wondered who the previous pastors were. No record anywhere! Where I am now, there is not only a file folder, but also a photo gallery in the hallway.
Different denomination. Downtown influential church. (Perhaps that's why??? Or resources?)
History is and always has been important. I am discovering at this time of my life that the older one gets, the more important it is. The same thing probably applies to churches! After all, history is the story.
It is always helpful to know our story. Everyone has a story. And we should own it!
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