The Committees series from 1965 to 1989 offers a detailed look into the operations of Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns (PUBC), showcasing their efforts to foster a network of evangelical Presbyterians within the church during this period. This collection includes minutes from meetings, correspondence, reports, and subject-specific files created by both the Board of Directors and various PUBC committees, both permanent and temporary. Among the seven standing committees were the Editorial Advisory Committee, Finance and Development Committee, Issues and Strategy Committee, Missions Committee, Nominating Committee, Parish Renewal and Evangelism Committee, and the Seminaries and Colleges Committee. Notably, the Issues and Strategy Committee played a key role in organizing PUBC breakfasts, managing attendance, and conducting outreach at General Assemblies. Further materials concerning the PUBC’s planning and activities at General Assemblies can be found in the Subject Files series under the heading “General Assembly.”
The Correspondence series, spanning 1966 to 1987, is comprised of communications both received and sent by church members, PUBC members, directors of other church mission organizations, evangelical leaders, and leaders from various denominations. Interspersed within this series are also correspondences and minutes from PUBC committees, offering a broader perspective on the organization’s internal and external communications. A significant portion of the correspondence was either written by or addressed to Matthew Welde, who served as the executive director of PUBC from 1977 to 1989.
The Subject Files series, covering the years 1965 to 1989, presents topical files created by PUBC, with some specifically utilized by PUBC committees. For instance, the General Assembly folders within this series were actively used and expanded upon by the Issues and Strategy Committee as they coordinated PUBC’s presence and activities at each assembly. Additional materials related to the Issues and Strategy Committee can be found in Series I: Committees, 1965-1989. This series also encompasses PUBC publications and administrative documents, such as copies of the official newsletter The Presbyterian Communique, notes on conference planning, directories, and brochures, all filed under the “PUBC” heading.
Furthermore, the Subject Files delve into “issues” pertinent to the Presbyterian Church during this era. A substantial portion of these files documents the extensive debate surrounding homosexuality within the church from 1976 to 1989. This includes programs and correspondence related to the 1976 PUBC Consultation on Ministry to Homosexuals, which was attended by members of the UPCUSA Task Force to Study Homosexuality. Additionally, there are folders of correspondence and press releases concerning dialogues between PUBC members and members of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC) in the 1980s, as well as a subject file on conversion therapy, retaining its original title “redeemed homosexuals.” It is important to note that while these historical documents offer rich insights into the Presbyterian Church and related social issues, they do not provide information related to topics such as a “Usa Sex Guide Louisville,” which is outside the scope of these archival materials.
