Demographics Although the community didn’t keep membership statistics at this time, the archives do contain some demographic information. In the previous resource time period (1971-1975) the adult membership grew from 29 members on October 15, 1971, to 240 members in October, 1975. Between October, 1974, and October, 1975, 140 people joined the community. During this time … [Read more...] about 200. Background Information for 1976-1981 Sources
1976-1981 Time Period
228. Accomplishing Our Work through Divisions
In this talk given at a 1981 elders’ meeting, Paul DeCelles discussed the introduction of divisions into the structure of the community, noting how this organizational change was for the sake of apostolic activity. Paul discussed the goals and objectives of each of these new divisions and provided details about the structure and governance of the community which now had … [Read more...] about 228. Accomplishing Our Work through Divisions
227. Being a Handmaid
This talk was given at a 1981 elders’ meeting by Julie Walters. In it, she looked at the use of the word “handmaid” in Scripture. She talked about the reason for having handmaids, the qualities of a handmaid and the pastoral role of a handmaid. Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio recording, and may contain transcription errors and other minor … [Read more...] about 227. Being a Handmaid
226. Women’s Groups
This talk, given at a 1981 elders’ meeting by Sharon Rose, covered topics regarding women’s groups including why we have them, the role of the head of the group, problems in women’s groups and what makes them work well. Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio recording, and may contain transcription errors and other minor edits for the sake of … [Read more...] about 226. Women’s Groups
225. Roles of Men and Women Revisited
This talk given at a 1981 elders’ meeting by Kevin Ranaghan summarized the teaching of the People of Praise on the roles of men and women and contrasted these views with current worldly trends. He also described potential excesses in this area which he had seen in the wider charismatic renewal and Pentecostal movement. Note to listeners: The talk begins with an extended period … [Read more...] about 225. Roles of Men and Women Revisited
229. Reasons for Starting Trinity School
In this talk given at a 1981 elders’ meeting shortly before Trinity School opened its doors for the first time, Kerry Koller explained why the community decided to start a school and how it would be different from other schools. Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio recording, and may contain transcription errors and other minor edits for the sake of … [Read more...] about 229. Reasons for Starting Trinity School
222. Be Hungry for the Word of God
This is an archival transcript of a talk given at a 1980 community meeting. We don’t have a recording of this meeting. The talk began with comments about the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. What was at issue was the correct reading and interpretation of Scripture. Paul DeCelles then talked about how moving forward as the body of Christ in the world requires an … [Read more...] about 222. Be Hungry for the Word of God
221. Training Sons
In this teaching, given at a retreat for non-community members in 1980, Clem shared his experience of applying God's word to the task of training sons. He described how raising sons requires prayer, consistency, discipline and a major time commitment. Note: The other talks from this retreat can be accessed in the File Library under the title “Christian Family … [Read more...] about 221. Training Sons
224. Resisting Temptation, The Good Samaritan and Prayer
A recording of a 1980 community celebration men’s night. Three parts of the evening were recorded: prophecies given at the men’s night; a spontaneous response to those words by Paul DeCelles exhorting the men and boys to resist carnal temptation; and a prepared teaching on love of neighbor (the Good Samaritan) and love of God (Martha and Mary). Transcript This document … [Read more...] about 224. Resisting Temptation, The Good Samaritan and Prayer
223. The Character of a Christian Woman
Using examples from Scripture, Jeanne DeCelles described the qualities and character of a Christian woman and noted the ways the world does not value these things. She ended by sharing her own paraphrase of Proverbs 31, “The Woman of the People of Praise.” Transcript This document is a direct transcript of an audio recording, and may contain transcription errors and … [Read more...] about 223. The Character of a Christian Woman
220. Memos on Weddings and Dating
Two memos addressed to the coordinators by Kevin Ranaghan with proposals for a People of Praise approach to state-in-life decisions, dating, engagement and weddings. Contents Memo on Weddings MEMO TO: The coordinators From: Kevin Re: A proposal for weddings in the People of Praise Date: February 20, 1976 Memo on … [Read more...] about 220. Memos on Weddings and Dating
219. Vision of Community
A working paper written by Paul DeCelles for a seminar on community building in 1979 that explained the fundamental human need for communal relationships. Paul addressed how modern society’s move away from family structure to a productivity structure has come at a cost. Community in Christ is a completely different way to live that answers all the problems of life. The … [Read more...] about 219. Vision of Community