Presbyterian Historical Society seeks input from mid councils and churches
Survey will assist PHS in creating resources to help churches examine their histories through an anti-racist lens
PHILADELPHIA — As PC(USA) congregations and mid councils across the U.S. undertake the important work of examining their histories, the Presbyterian Historical Society seeks to support their efforts in very particular — and critically important — ways.
The 224th General Assembly (2020) of the PC(USA) called on the whole church to enact corporate repentance, approving "On the Church in This Moment in History — Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action."
In response, many churches and mid councils began work to study their history of racism.
In June 2022, the 225th General Assembly passed item RGJ-12, directing "the Presbyterian Historical Society to create an online historical self-study tool for congregations and mid councils to investigate their own history" to better equip more churches to undertake this work.
As the Presbyterian Historical Society continues to expand its self-study resources, PHS staff would like to hear directly from churches and mid councils via a short, six-question survey on what would be most useful for them as they engage in this work.
“We look forward to hearing from congregations and mid councils across the denomination,” said PHS Executive Director Nancy Taylor. “Our anecdotal evidence suggests Presbyterians are at different stages of this important work, and we hope to create resources that support a wider range of engagement — all with the intention of supporting historical study through an anti-racist lens.”
As part of this effort, PHS is also collecting and preserving products of self-study undertaken by PC(USA) congregations and mid councils and providing access to them via the PC(USA) Self-Studies on Racism digital collection. Churches and mid councils are encouraged to use this webform to submit their self-study products to be preserved and added to the digital collection.
PHS welcomes anyone with questions on either the survey or the digital collection of self-studies to contact them via email.
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