Writing the history of a congregation has the potential to gather disparate members around a center of shared narrative and common memory. When a congregation is conflicted, it also affords the chance to discern the particular nature and historic patterns of unhappiness and discord. As it approached its sesquicentennial anniversary, the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Illinois had experienced an extended period of conflict and division. The pastor’s engagement in researching, writing and sharing the church’s history provided numerous benefits, both to the pastor and congregation: discovery of the church’s past, including founding characteristics, signal moments and embedded patterns; lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful pastors in the past; awareness of the impact of external factors, including social, political, economic, religious and cultural developments; a shared narrative and common memory around which the church can draw together; and encouragement for the potential of a healthy and faithful future.
