Report of the
Historical Society
On September 24, 1858, several men gathered at the home of David Musselman near the town of Zionsville, PA. They had come to talk about what they should do. Their church did not share their concerns. Their families and friends had begun to meet for prayer for those who lived around them. They wanted their neighbors to submit to Jesus and be born again. But their church was not sure. They tended to be enthusiastic in their prayer meetings. They were full of zeal about sharing the gospel and would share it with anyone. The new converts threatened the stability of the church. Finally, their church had enough and asked them to give it up or at least admit the Bible did not teach what they were doing.
And so they had come to the home of David Musselman. On that September day in 1858, they decided to leave their church and work together to pray for the people around them and preach the gospel wherever they could find someone to listen. Out of that meeting came our church and its values. From their desires came a church that believed it should listen to the word of God and bring the good news of God to the world. They first called themselves Evangelical Mennonites. Later, after joining with others of like mind, they became the Mennonite Brethren in Christ. And later, they chose the name, Bible Fellowship Church.
We celebrate the 150th Anniversary of this significant meeting during this conference year. Our churches were birthed there. Our spiritual DNA was formed there. Our values were molded there. Their concerns, faithful adherence to the word of God and gospel preaching, are still at the core of what it is to be the BFC. After 150 years, these things matter.
If this anniversary celebrates only the past, it is a sad celebration. With this anniversary, we celebrate the future. The past explains how we got here. The future is what we do and where we are going. The world needs churches that faithfully obey God’s word and consistently preach the gospel. The BFC is committed to being one of those churches.
The role of the Historical Committee is not to be the anchor that holds us to the past but to be the springboard that launches us into the future. By preserving the materials that illuminate our past, we are providing understanding that will guide into the future. What we will be will grow out of what we are. What we are has grown out of what we were.
Many of the resources that document our history are available in our on-line library (www.BFCHistory.org). Here you will find nearly a complete set of the minutes of Annual Conference. You will find a collection of papers presented at the Historical Society over the last 24- years. You will find selected church histories that open the story of how God is building the church through us. You will find collections of data that help to show how our church progressed in carrying out its task. And you will find much more if you are looking for our story. Take a tour of the library and discover the resources that might help you to better understand how God will use you and your church.
The Historical Committee maintains its archival collection in Wallingford, PA. The collection includes, books, documents, photographs, denominational publications and many other materials that preserve the story of our journey which are not available on line. You are invited to make use of these archives.
Since 1983, the Historical Society of the BFC has been holding annual meetings. This year’s Society meeting was held in Wallingford, PA, on October 27, 2007. Carl C. Cassel presented a paper on his grandfather, E. N. Cassel, which documented his theological concerns through an examination of his preaching notes and themes. Richard E. Taylor made a presentation on the history of the Chester / Wallingford congregation which endeavored to present the methodology followed by the Gospel Heralds in their church planting. Next year’s meeting will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008, at the Harrisburg Church and will include presentations on the history of the Harrisburg Church and the significance of the music we used in our worship.
The Historical Committee reminds each of our churches and agencies, as well as our boards and committees, that past records and minutes would be better kept if they were placed for preservation in the archives.
The Historical Committee recommends the following resolutions:
Whereas, during this conference year we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the meeting which launched the Bible Fellowship Church, and
Whereas, this anniversary should be a time of joy and gratitude for what God has done for us and through us, therefore, be it
Resolved, that all Bible Fellowship Churches be encouraged to hold a service of worship to celebrate this 150th anniversary, and further
Resolved, that all Bible Fellowship Churches be encouraged to show the video, “According to the Holy Spirit,” to their congregations to promote an understanding of our heritage and an appreciation of our values, and further
Resolved, that the theme of the 126th Annual Conference be a celebration of this 150th Anniversary.
Historical Committee: Jill Davidson , Chairperson; Richard E. Taylor, Secretary, Archivist; James A. Beil, Carl C. Cassel, Ronald W. Hoyle, Harold P. Shelly.