David G. Roebuck
This week the staff of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center met together and reflected on the blessings of this past year and our wishes and prayers for the New Year. It has certainly been a busy and blessed time, but there is much work yet to be done.
Several of our activities this year were the result of the calendar. The year 2006 was the centennial anniversary of the first Church of God General Assembly, the famous Azusa Street Revival, and the North Cleveland Church of God. It was also the twentieth anniversary of Dr. Paul Conn's service as president of Lee University. Each of these anniversaries gave us opportunities to communicate how much God has blessed the ministries of the Church of God and the Pentecostal movement. The Research Center created exhibits related to our first Assembly, the centennial of North Cleveland, and the last twenty years of excellence at Lee University. Our exhibit at the 71st General Assembly in Indianapolis told the story of 100 years of General Assemblies, and was a focal point of the denomination's celebration of those early pioneers. Our exhibit about Lee University is now on display at the local Museum Center at Five Points and is a unique opportunity for us to share with the broader public.
In addition to exhibits, I was privileged to participate in two major celebrations of the Azusa Street Revival. A great team of people helped me to present a track of classes on "Preserving Pentecostal History and Heritage" in what was an amazing week of activities in Los Angeles last April. It was a great blessing to see so many Pentecostal/Charismatic people come together to celebrate what God has done and is doing. Then in September I traveled with Billy Wilson's team to minister at a similar celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia. God is clearly at work in this island nation, which has more Moslems of any country in the world.
The year 2006 included an abundance of other activities. Besides the day-to-day service we give to researchers, we have had several publications such as Church of God History and Heritage, the "Chronicles" articles in the Evangel, and two book chapters. We sponsored the Azusa Lectures in February and introduced a fundraising project called "Voice of a Legacy." Through it we hope to purchase important dissertations and interview men and women who have added so much to our history. One of the exciting projects we began is the digitizing of our collection of Southern Gospel music. Finally, thanks to WinWorld, we were able to debut a new website this year as well.
Much more could be told about these and other activities, but it was our staff that made 2006 so successful. Janie Hand has been secretary at the Research Center for ten years, and is indispensable in the Center's communication with the various departments and agencies of the Church of God. Kim Roebuck, our database manager, has been with us for over five years and brings terrific computer skills to everything we do. This past April, Susan Fletcher joined us as the first trained archivist in the history of the Research Center. She has already moved us forward in processing collections, and has worked especially well with our student assistants and interns.
We have so much to be thankful for, but we also face challenges in the coming year. Several important donations of papers and other archival materials that remain unprocessed. Noted collections include the papers of the J. Herbert Walker Sr. and J. Herbert Walker Jr. families, the papers of former General Overseer Ray H. Hughes Sr., and those of former Missionary Vergil Wolf. Processing these and other materials require resources such as labor, space and computer equipment. Regrettably financial constraints have left us with fewer staff and outdated computers. And the materials we have received now fill our shelves to overflowing.
So as we give thanks for this past year, we also pray that God will give us wisdom and resources to meet the challenges we will face in 2007. We ask for your prayers and support as we fulfill our calling to preserve our Pentecostal history and heritage.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Celebrating Special Days
David G. Roebuck
Yesterday my son, William, and I attended Heritage Day at the Kinser Church of God just outside Cleveland, Tennessee. The church was founded in 1912 and has a rich history of community ministry and distinguished pastors such as F.J. Lee, E.J. Boehmer, and T.L. McClain. Today the church is doing well under the leadership of Pastor Guinn Green. Among other blessings the congregation has just purchased a beautiful baby grand piano.
The highlight of the day was a video telling the history of the congregation in narration and photographs. The video was the culmination of a great deal of research and labor by Marilyn Kinser Kinney, whose family donated the property today's church buildings occupy. Known originally as the Dunn Tabernacle, the congregation has faced challenges and trials but has a bright future.
I especially enjoyed attending the service with William who is celebrating his 13th birthday today. Now that he is a teenager, his mother and I expect we are facing new challenges and trials just as surely as the parents of all teens do. But William has a great heritage in the Church of God. He has been taught well and has many people who love him. No congregation, family or individual has any guarantee for tomorrow. But we have a godly heritage upon which we can build today as we plan for tomorrow. That heritage, today's opportunities, and God's promises are worth celebrating.
If your congregation has recently celebrated an important anniversary write to me at droebuck@leeuniversity.edu and tell me about it. If you have one coming up, write to us here at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, and we can help you celebrate it.
David G. Roebuck, Ph.D.
Yesterday my son, William, and I attended Heritage Day at the Kinser Church of God just outside Cleveland, Tennessee. The church was founded in 1912 and has a rich history of community ministry and distinguished pastors such as F.J. Lee, E.J. Boehmer, and T.L. McClain. Today the church is doing well under the leadership of Pastor Guinn Green. Among other blessings the congregation has just purchased a beautiful baby grand piano.
The highlight of the day was a video telling the history of the congregation in narration and photographs. The video was the culmination of a great deal of research and labor by Marilyn Kinser Kinney, whose family donated the property today's church buildings occupy. Known originally as the Dunn Tabernacle, the congregation has faced challenges and trials but has a bright future.
I especially enjoyed attending the service with William who is celebrating his 13th birthday today. Now that he is a teenager, his mother and I expect we are facing new challenges and trials just as surely as the parents of all teens do. But William has a great heritage in the Church of God. He has been taught well and has many people who love him. No congregation, family or individual has any guarantee for tomorrow. But we have a godly heritage upon which we can build today as we plan for tomorrow. That heritage, today's opportunities, and God's promises are worth celebrating.
If your congregation has recently celebrated an important anniversary write to me at droebuck@leeuniversity.edu and tell me about it. If you have one coming up, write to us here at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, and we can help you celebrate it.
David G. Roebuck, Ph.D.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
About our Ministries
Dr. David G. Roebuck
Last night I had the privilege of being introduced to the Church of God Administrative Bishops who are in town for a State/Regional Overseers Conference. All of the various ministries of the Church of God International Offices were reviewed, and our liaison Dr. Paul Walker included both the Dixon Research Center and the Church of God Historical Commission in his presentation.
In preparation for the evening I was asked to list four or five of our ministries here at the Research Center. I boiled them down to: 1) Provides a library of Church of God and Pentecostal materials for students and scholars; 2) Preserves the archives of the Church of God; 3) Teaches Church of God and Pentecostal history and theology at Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary; 4) Publishes Church of God History and Heritage and other publications; 5) Prepares historical displays for general and local church events.
Each of these could be expanded to say more about our activities, but I think this is a good summary of our primary work. Because we work with a variety of publics such as students at Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary, other Church of God departments and agencies, as well as any scholar or visitor who walks in the door, we never know what a day will bring. Today I am working on an exhibit celebrating the last twenty years of Lee University, reviewing our financial budget for this year, and meeting with the leadership of Squires Library. Tonight Ill be teaching Church of God History and Polity at the Theological Seminary. But if today is typical, there will be some surprises before I leave for home about 9:30 this evening.
We do all of this because we know that preserving our heritage is important. If you have any interest in becoming involved in our ministry here at the Research Center, please dont hesitate to call us.
Last night I had the privilege of being introduced to the Church of God Administrative Bishops who are in town for a State/Regional Overseers Conference. All of the various ministries of the Church of God International Offices were reviewed, and our liaison Dr. Paul Walker included both the Dixon Research Center and the Church of God Historical Commission in his presentation.
In preparation for the evening I was asked to list four or five of our ministries here at the Research Center. I boiled them down to: 1) Provides a library of Church of God and Pentecostal materials for students and scholars; 2) Preserves the archives of the Church of God; 3) Teaches Church of God and Pentecostal history and theology at Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary; 4) Publishes Church of God History and Heritage and other publications; 5) Prepares historical displays for general and local church events.
Each of these could be expanded to say more about our activities, but I think this is a good summary of our primary work. Because we work with a variety of publics such as students at Lee University and the Church of God Theological Seminary, other Church of God departments and agencies, as well as any scholar or visitor who walks in the door, we never know what a day will bring. Today I am working on an exhibit celebrating the last twenty years of Lee University, reviewing our financial budget for this year, and meeting with the leadership of Squires Library. Tonight Ill be teaching Church of God History and Polity at the Theological Seminary. But if today is typical, there will be some surprises before I leave for home about 9:30 this evening.
We do all of this because we know that preserving our heritage is important. If you have any interest in becoming involved in our ministry here at the Research Center, please dont hesitate to call us.
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Summer in Review
Dr. David G. Roebuck
I am writing this update on September 5, which many people regard as the beginning of the fall. It has been an intense and productive summer here at the Dixon Research Center.
Our most important accomplishment this summer was preparing the Heritage Exhibit for the Church of God International General Assembly. At each Assembly the Research Center partners with the Church of God Historical Commission to prepare a major exhibit. This year our theme was The Assembling of the Saints, and we highlighted the centennial of the first General Assembly along with one hundred years of General Assemblies. We also emphasized the centennial of the great revival at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles. Thousands of people viewed the exhibit, and we are thankful for all of the comments we have received.
There are many other summer events that I could report on. In June, our archivist, Susan Fletcher, and I attended the annual meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements. This year the Society met at the headquarters of the Church of God (Mountain Assembly). Also in June, I was a guest speaker at the Church of God of Prophecys Heritage Day. It is always a personal delight and privilege for me to participate in this annual event. Bishop Fred Fisher and his wife, Betty, have been real friends to us here at the Research Center. We congratulate them as they conclude his last month as General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy.
This summer also saw the fruit of a project that we have been planning for several months. With the support of Dr. Dennis McGuire and the Church of God Executive Committee, along with the assistance of T. Scot Carter and Church of God Communications, we have initiated an interview series with those who have formerly served on the Executive Committee. In June we traveled to Lakeland, Florida, and conducted three interviews with W.C. Byrd. Brother Byrd served on the Executive Committee as an Assistant General Overseer from 1970 to 1972. Then in August we completed four interviews with Dr. Ray H. Hughes, who was first elected to the Executive Committee in 1966. Chad Guyton and his team have been great to work with on this project. We will add these interviews to our Voice of a Legacy project as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read about some of our summer activities. Do not hesitate to contact us here at the Research Center if we can be of any service to you. We encourage you to get involved in preserving your heritage wherever you are serving the Lord. And we welcome inquires as to how you can support the Center through you donations of historical materials and funding for special projects.
I am writing this update on September 5, which many people regard as the beginning of the fall. It has been an intense and productive summer here at the Dixon Research Center.
Our most important accomplishment this summer was preparing the Heritage Exhibit for the Church of God International General Assembly. At each Assembly the Research Center partners with the Church of God Historical Commission to prepare a major exhibit. This year our theme was The Assembling of the Saints, and we highlighted the centennial of the first General Assembly along with one hundred years of General Assemblies. We also emphasized the centennial of the great revival at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles. Thousands of people viewed the exhibit, and we are thankful for all of the comments we have received.
There are many other summer events that I could report on. In June, our archivist, Susan Fletcher, and I attended the annual meeting of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements. This year the Society met at the headquarters of the Church of God (Mountain Assembly). Also in June, I was a guest speaker at the Church of God of Prophecys Heritage Day. It is always a personal delight and privilege for me to participate in this annual event. Bishop Fred Fisher and his wife, Betty, have been real friends to us here at the Research Center. We congratulate them as they conclude his last month as General Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy.
This summer also saw the fruit of a project that we have been planning for several months. With the support of Dr. Dennis McGuire and the Church of God Executive Committee, along with the assistance of T. Scot Carter and Church of God Communications, we have initiated an interview series with those who have formerly served on the Executive Committee. In June we traveled to Lakeland, Florida, and conducted three interviews with W.C. Byrd. Brother Byrd served on the Executive Committee as an Assistant General Overseer from 1970 to 1972. Then in August we completed four interviews with Dr. Ray H. Hughes, who was first elected to the Executive Committee in 1966. Chad Guyton and his team have been great to work with on this project. We will add these interviews to our Voice of a Legacy project as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read about some of our summer activities. Do not hesitate to contact us here at the Research Center if we can be of any service to you. We encourage you to get involved in preserving your heritage wherever you are serving the Lord. And we welcome inquires as to how you can support the Center through you donations of historical materials and funding for special projects.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Welcome to the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center
Dr. David Roebuck
Welcome to the new website for the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center. The Center is grateful to the talented people at WinWorld for their help in creating our site. We welcome your comments and suggestions about the site.
The Research Center congratulates the Family Worship Center Church of God in Augusta, Maine, on your 70th Anniversary celebration this past May 21. Organized as the Augusta Church of God in 1936, the Family Worship Center is said to be the third oldest Church of God in Maine. The Research Center thanks the Reverend Rodney Friend for donating the history of the church to the Center.
If your church has recently celebrated an anniversary please let us know. If you are about to celebrate a special anniversary, we are happy to assist in any way that we can. Contact the Research Center at 260 11th Street NE, Cleveland TN 37311 or 423-614-8576 or dixon_research@leeuniversity.edu.
Welcome to the new website for the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center. The Center is grateful to the talented people at WinWorld for their help in creating our site. We welcome your comments and suggestions about the site.
The Research Center congratulates the Family Worship Center Church of God in Augusta, Maine, on your 70th Anniversary celebration this past May 21. Organized as the Augusta Church of God in 1936, the Family Worship Center is said to be the third oldest Church of God in Maine. The Research Center thanks the Reverend Rodney Friend for donating the history of the church to the Center.
If your church has recently celebrated an anniversary please let us know. If you are about to celebrate a special anniversary, we are happy to assist in any way that we can. Contact the Research Center at 260 11th Street NE, Cleveland TN 37311 or 423-614-8576 or dixon_research@leeuniversity.edu.
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