PCA HISTORICAL CENTER
|
||||||||||||
Why An Oral History? Perspectives: For example, in February 1973, the Steering Committee for a Continuing Presbyterian Church met at the Hilton Inn near the Atlanta Airport. At that meeting a vote was taken to initiate steps to begin a new Presbyterian denomination. That fact is documented in the Historical Center. But in taping interviews of the men who were there, I learned that the vote was preceded by an extended time of prayer and that some of the men wept as they voted to separate from the denomination to which their families had belonged for generations. That knowledge gives us perspective on the historical fact. People: Oral history is simply "spoken memories". The PCA Historical
Center includes among its holdings interviews with men who have influenced
what the denomination is today. Some of these men have died since these
tapes were made; but their memories are available to all who want to research
PCA history. What would you like to know about the history of your church? If you and other members of your church think a particular person or topic is worth catching on tape, that is the place to start. Remember, the purpose of the oral history is to supplement the written record, to give color and personality to it. Here are a few suggestions:
How Do I Get Started?: Check the recording level of each voice before you begin. Begin the recording by stating clearly the date, the subject and the name of the person or persons being interviewed. For an interesting program, a few charter/older members could sit on the platform and reminisce. Someone with a list of questions should keep it flowing. Preserving and Using Oral History: Make one or more copies of each tape. Follow directions on the tape to protect it from being erased. Make a type-written typescript of the interview and file it with the written history of the church. You might want to print brief excerpts in the church newsletter or play portions for women's meetings, Sunday School classes or other groups. You may wish to video tape the interview. If so, it would be a good idea to make a separate audio recording for the church archives. Remember, all history is HIS-STORY. It is our Sovereign Lord who guides and controls the events and people of the world to bring about His purpose. The history we record is the story of His working in lives and that makes it exciting. That is also why we must preserve it and pass it on to our children. Psalm 78
©PCA Historical Center, 12330 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO, 2009. All Rights Reserved. |