Report of the
Historical Committee
The Historical Committee is about the future. That may be a novel thought for some who read this report. We do not view our history as an anchor to hold us back but rather as a rudder which helps to direct our course. Where we go as a denomination is influenced to a great deal by where we have been. To know what we are we must know what we have been. The Historical Committee is not a few people who sit around telling stories that a few old timers can appreciate. We are excited about how God is leading us and do not want to live in the past. But we know our future as a denomination began almost 140 years ago. God has done marvelous things. Our history is the story of what He has led us to become and is just the prelude to what we will yet be. We have continued in the past year to gather our history together that it might help us understand God’s plan for our future.
The Historical Committee met twice in the past year. The maintenance of the archives was an important item. New metal shelving was purchased and additional wooden shelving was constructed. An additional fire resistant cabinet was purchased to store the growing collection of irreplaceable material.
The Historical Committee continues to seek to increase our collection of historically relevant materials. Historically relevant material is slipping away from us. Our collection of photographs has grown to over 1200. We have catalogued over 1800 other items. We encourage churches to place their records in the archives for safe keeping. If you can help to collect materials in your church, your efforts are welcomed.
The Historical Society of the Bible Fellowship Church will meet this year at the Bible Fellowship Church in Lehighton, on Saturday, November 2, 1996. Pastor William Bartron will tell the story of this Gospel Herald Church and Richard Taylor will share the story of a year in the life of a young Evangelical Mennonite preacher named Levi Young.
The Historical Committee: Bright N. Heist, Chairman; Richard E. Taylor, Secretary, Archivist; Ralph D. Cole, Treasurer; Willard E. Cassel, Harold P. Shelly, Daniel G. Ziegler