For Local Church Historians

It is recommended that every church have a historian to preserve the history of the church.  There may also be a Committee on Records and History to assist the historian.

The duties of the historian are listed in ¶247.5 of the 2012 Book of Discipline.

A number of resources are available to assist the historian:

• Church Historian: Remembering the Past and Inspiring the Future, a booklet in the Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation series, is a comprehensive guide that every local church historian should have. In addition to excellent information about the historian's job, it also contains a helpful resource list. It is available from Cokesbury for $3.25. The pastor may also have a copy.
   
• The website of the General Commission, www.gcah.org, has an excellent section for local church historians, under Ministry Resources.
   
• The Commission on Archives and History offers workshops for local church historians.  Contact the representative from your district about setting one up.  See Commission Members.
   
• The Commission can also provide suggestions for records management, preservation, writing of history, and celebrations.
   
• Here are links to several documents we have created to assist historians:
      Job Description for the Local Church Historian
      Resources for Local Church Historians
      Setting Up a Local Church Archives
      What a Church Archives Should Keep
      Caring for Records
   
• Archival supplies are available from the following companies.  Contact them for a free catalog or to order on line.
  Gaylord www.gaylord.com 1-800-448-6160
  University Products www.universityproducts.com 1-800-628-1912
  Hollinger Metal Edge www.hollingermetaledge.com 1-800-862-2228 or 1-800-634-0491
  Light Impressions www.lightimpressionsdirect.com 1-800-828-6212