I. Finding the Facts
Obtain all the church records extant, minutes
of church conferences, records of deacons, Sunday School, Training
Union, W.M.U., and Brotherhood.
Secure copies of any histories prepared
previously.
Check the associational file of minutes for the
annual statistical reports and for any item of information concerning
the church.
Check files of local paper and state Baptist
paper for reference.
Talk with those who have been members through
the years and carefully make notes of all information and give date of
your conference.
Contact former pastors for sketch of their
lives and information in the pastorates.
- Be persistent and keep hunting for elusive facts.
II. Writing the History
Go through the material until you are familiar
with it.
Decide on an outline. This may be by time
periods that you find fairly well indicated.
Give the background of the church, the early
settlement of the community, first religious services, incidents leading
to the formation of the church.
Relate fully and accurately the organization of
the church, giving the exact day, month and year, the place of the
meeting, the ministers assisting, the number and names of charter
members, the choice of name and why chosen, the first officers, etc.
Tell the story of the church based on factual
evidence and make interesting by enlightening incidents and personal
allusions. Tell something about each pastor and about some of the
outstanding leaders of the church.
Carefully document your history according to
the accepted procedure for research papers.
Give statistical tables of pastors, clerks, Sunday
School Superintendents, etc., church membership and finances in
appendices.
List sources at conclusion.
- Send two copies to:
Texas Baptist Historical Collection
4144 N. Central Expwy, Suite
110
Dallas, Texas 75204
If you have
questions or comments, please email us at tbhc@bgct.org
.
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