Work continues on the Centennial History project and a big year of effort lies ahead. I already have two chapter drafts and part of a third in my hands, and I am hoping to have the others in by the end of December. We need to make the assignment of sidebars and vignettes right away, so that I will have time to contact writers and get these done within the next year. I arranged to meet with the core committee members and chapter authors who let me know they were at the meeting to discuss various logistical matters, stylistic concerns, recommendations for sidebars/vignettes, and other problems that may have arisen in various people's minds. I will continue to keep the commission informed as to how the project is going.
In February I met with Tony, Denton, and Ruby Burke at the BWA office in Falls Church, and we reviewed the progress made so far. At that time I asked Ruby Burke to send a copy of Tiller's 75th anniversary volume to all writers. It is in no way a model of what we are striving to produce, but it does provide an informational background that will help us to insure we do not overlook any important historical developments.
Although the Centennial History is not a commission project as such, our people have been heavily involved in the process since it is a matter so close to our hearts. Eight of the ten chapter writers as well as the general editor and core committee member Eljee Bentley are commission members. I want to personally thank the body for its interest and support.
I will again list the chapter authors:
Introduction: Richard Pierard
1. The historical background-Horace Russell, Jamaica
2. From Baptist World Congress to the end of World War I-John
Briggs, U.K.
3. The postwar era and the 1920s-Robert Wilson, Canada
4. Depression and World World II-Erich Geldbach, Germany
5. The Cold War era, 1948 to 1960-Morgan Patterson, USA
6. Forward to internationalizing the BWA, 1960-70-James Leo Garrett,
USA
7. Facing a changing world, 1970-90-Faith Bowers/David Russell,
U.K.
8. The maturing of the organization, 1980-89-Ian Randall, I.B.T.S.,
Prague
9. Fall of communism and the new world, 1989-95-Albert Wardin,
USA
10. Forward into the new century, 1995-2005-Ken Manley, Australia
Afterword: Denton Lotz
Last year I reported on the anticipated content of the chapters and I will not repeat this here. However, it is our intention to have a readable and affordable book to give to all the congress attendees at Birmingham in July 2005. Please pray for me and the other involved in the project that we will be able to meet the expectations that our BWA constituency has of us.