ORAL HISTORY

TIPS AND TOPICS FOR ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS
By Sherrel Stewart, former commissioner, district 11

• Explain the purpose of the interview. Alabama Baptists are often reluctant to talk about their own achievements; encourage the participants to share about their lives as an inspiration to others.
  
• Prepare detailed questions in advance; it will help maintain focus during the interview.
  
• Know something about the person you are interviewing. Background work is essential to a good interview.
  
• Remember that oral history interviews are conversations. Establish a rapport with the person.
  
• Use a tape recorder, but ask permission first. Explain that it will assure accuracy and help preserve the flavor of the interview. Always test the recorder beforehand!
  
• Have a notepad with an outline.
  
• Talk about the whole person, not just the church work, but the experiences that led up to ministry.
  
• Allow for rambling.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
By Frances Hamilton, Executive Director, ABHC

• Rules of Decorum, Articles of Faith, Statement of Principles
  

• Fellowship Activities (dinner on the ground, foot washings, etc.)
  

• Baptism -- place and procedure
  

• Impact of society on the church (wars, elections, economics, etc.)
  

• Names of founding pastor and charter members
  

• Background and origin of charter members
  

• Adherence to missionary or anti-missionary doctrine
  

• Membership in Alabama Baptist Associations
  

• Members called into professional Christian vocations
  

• Lists of pastors and other staff members
  

• Lists of deacons, trustees, heads of organization, etc.
  

• Sunday School and Discipleship Training
  

• Mission outreaches of church (G.A.s, R.A.s, WMU, etc.)
  

• Attitude toward vices (liquor, gambling, playing cards, etc.)
  

• Church discipline procedures
  

• Evangelism
  

• Remember whenever possible to relate events to people!

WHO SHOULD WE INTERVIEW?

• Charter Members
  

• Former Pastors
  

• Current Pastor
  

• Former and Current Deacons
  

• WMU / Brotherhood Leaders
  

• Sunday School Teachers
  

• Adults who grew up in the church
  

• People called to ministry in the church
  

• Youth and Children
  

• Chairs of Church Committees
  

• Church Clerks
  

• Anyone with a story to tell!

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