Parish histories generally are misunderstood, and often are poorly done. As a result, they have a reputation as dull reading. To improve the quality of parish histories, we need to examine several factors.

A typical parish history tells about two things: parish priests and major donors. The clear message of such a tale is that the clergy and the church's possessions are the most important. The ministry of the congregation as a whole is excluded.

A parish history can do more by helping people remember their roots. For instance, some congregations were established to provide a particular liturgical style. Others were planted with a new town or housing development. In some cases, conflict has given birth to new congregations. And there are also congregations with language, culture, nationality or class origins.

Recalling these origins can help in understanding the growth and development of a congregation. This is useful in assessing ministry. For example, a congregation in a suburban middle class area will find its activities conditioned by employment, commuting patterns, income levels, and other local situations and values. An awareness of origins can help explain the determined opinions of long-time members.

Preparation and writing of a parish history actually can provide the basis for a look into the future. A parish history project can be the initial activity of a long-range planning process.

Another important feature of a parish history is the opportunity to understand the way in which the congregation has fit into movements and activities in the diocese and the larger world.

From the beginning, a parish history project should have a clear purpose. For example, a history might be used for stewardship purposes, or to integrate new members, or to celebrate a social ministry orientation, or to mark the end of one aspect of the life and ministry of a congregation.

Once the purpose and value of a parish history are determined, the second important task awaits: selecting a person to prepare the history. Particular skills are important for the production of a parish history. The historian should be a respected person in the congregation. Respectability and the support of the priest will provide access to people with useful information who are not necessarily friends of the historian. A willingness to inquire about the less glorious elements of a parish's history can lead to a well-balanced presentation. If the story is about movements, trends and relationships, it is important to find a historian who thinks in those terms.

The third major factor in preparing a parish history is having good sources. The most obvious are parish records: vestry records, minutes of individual groups, annual reports, records of the type and frequency of services, bulletins and newsletters. Diocesan records may reflect something of the relationship between the congregation and the diocesan mission and structure. Public newspapers may have reports of major events.

It is usually valuable to have contact with older members of the congregation, who may have newsletters and other records that may have been lost, mislaid, destroyed or were never kept at the church. They also have memories of past events and relationships.

Through the use of multiple reflections on the same events and dynamic situations, it is possible to develop a picture which is otherwise clouded in the written records. That is, the records often provide a minimal description of what happened, while the memories will disclose why it happened that way.

Emotional and financial support should be arranged before a parish history project is done in earnest. Early supporters should include the parish priest, the vestry and leaders of major parish organizations. It is helpful to have the enthusiastic support of a few long-time members who are also "thought leaders." An important sign of support is vestry allocation of funds for photocopies, postage and other research costs.

A well-written parish history can be a joy and delight to read. It can describe the struggles and successes of Christian ministry. It can explain how the faith helped people adjust and adapt to changing ecclesiastical and social situations.

The Book of Acts is a fascinating story about the growth and progress of the church of God. Any parish history can be the same. o

The Rev. John Rawlinson is pastor of St. James/Santiago Church, Oakland, Calif.