Fonds - Social Concerns Department fonds

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Social Concerns Department fonds

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    • 1965-1977, 1980-1999, predominant 1980-1999 (Creation)

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    15.6 m of textual records

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    Administrative history

    The origins of the Social Concerns Department begin in 1978 when the General Conference called for the creation of an ongoing committee to address moral issues facing society such as abortion and pornography. The Committee would research these issues in relation to the role of the church, determine positive and appropriate courses of action for the PAOC to take, keep the Fellowship informed, and take leadership in positive social action. It became known as the Committee on Moral Standards and Rev. Hudson Hilsden was appointed chairman. In 1980 it was renamed the National Committee on Ethics and Social Concern. By 1982 it was clear that a full-time staff person was required to address the issues brought forward by the Committee. In mid-1983 Rev. Hilsden was appointed Coordinator of Social Concerns and Public Relations in the Office of Information. The Office of Social Concerns and Public Relations was sometimes referred to as a department. Rev. Hilsden was Coordinator until 1991. During this time the Social Concerns Office tried to influence governments at all levels to pass legislation and adopt policies that reflected the PAOC's Judeo-Christian philosophy. Local churches of the PAOC were also encouraged to form their own Social Concerns Councils to address these issues at the local level, and to work with the National Social Concerns Office. In 1990 a committee looked at restructuring the Social Concerns and Public Relations Office, making note that additional paid assistance was required. In 1992 the General Conference authorized the General Executive to create the Social Concerns Department. The role of the Social Concerns Department was to promote efforts related to alleviating suffering, deal with the causes of suffering, and help local assemblies establish caring ministries. It prepared presentations on crucial, ethical and moral issues, determined by the Executive Officers' Committee, which were referred to legislative and judicial branches of government, if necessary. By 1996 the philosophy of social concerns had come include a social service ministry (compassionate, practical, action directed towards helping people who suffer) and a social issue ministry (action directed towards changing the socio-political causes of human suffering). In 1998 the Social Concerns Department came under the newly created Ministries Division. A coordinator was named in place of a director.

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    The fonds consists of records which reflect the activities of the department and the position adopted by the PAOC on numerous social issues. There are seventeen series. Series 1 - Publications. This series contains the actual news releases prepared by the Social Concerns Department as well as the research used in the preparation of the release. The records include clippings, reports and research material. The files are arranged chronologically. Series 2 - Position papers, briefs, reports and resolutions. This series includes resolutions presented to the General Conference, reports, submissions, and briefs stating the PAOC's position on numerous issues. The files are arranged by subject. The series also includes position papers adopted by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and National and District Social Concerns Coordinators reports. Series 3 - Administrative records. The records in this series consist of clippings, circular letters, external publications, newsletters, brochures, information related to the Assemblies of God in the United States, petitions, correspondence, writings and financial records. The records relate to the position taken by the PAOC on various social issues and reflect their interaction with groups such as other denominations, governmental organizations, interdenominational organizations, and politicians. Series 4 - Correspondence. The records in this series are arranged alphabetically and by year. The records consist of correspondence which relates to the PAOC's position on various social issues. Series 5 - Program records. This series contains records which reflect the assistance given to local churches to establish Local Church Social Concerns committees or councils. The records consist of correspondence, articles, clippings, questionnaires, surveys, brochures, leaflets, and Social Concerns policy as well as terms of reference and responsibilities for local councils. Series 6 - Topical Issue records. This series contains records which reflect issues dealt with such as adoption, AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, censorship, homelessness, immigration, labour relations, shoplifting, unemployment, violence and welfare. The records consist of newsletters, clippings, briefs, brochures, notes, correspondence, handbooks and reports. The records are files alphabetically by topic. Series 7 - Interchurch Committee on Pornography. The records in this series reflect the activities of the Interchurch Committee on Pornography which was chaired by Social Concerns Coordinator Hudson Hilsden. The records include correspondence, clippings, copies of legislation, news releases, minutes, and the statement of principles of the Committee. Series 8 - Wife Assault Survey. The records in this series consist of blank and completed questionnaires and survey results. The questionnaires were distribute to pastors to assess their opinions of and experience with wife assault in their churches. Series 9 - Abortion Issue records. The records in this series relate to the PAOC's position on abortion and reflect the Social Concerns Department's work in researching and reacting to this issue in society. The records consist of notes, articles, clippings, brochures, pamphlets, legislation, magazines, manuals, newsletters, statistics, research material, correspondence, mailing lists, briefs and position papers. Series 10 - Pornography Issue records. The records in this series relate to the PAOC's position on pornography and reflect the Social Concerns Department's work in researching and reacting to this issue in society. The records consist of articles, clippings, briefs from other organizations, correspondence, external publications, news releases, and briefs from the PAOC. Series 11 - Education Issue records. The records in this series reflect the Social Concerns Department's work in several areas of education including religion in schools, public school education, sex education and home schooling. The records consist of clippings, correspondence, news releases, pamphlets, magazines and briefs. The series also incudes briefs, correspondence, articles and brochures from the organization CURE (Citizens United for Responsible Education) and correspondence with the Ontario Multi-Faith Coalition for Equity in Education. Series 12 - Sexual Orientation Issue records. The records in this series relate to the PAOC's position on sexual orientation and reflect subjects such as the same sex benefits bill and the religious position on homosexuality. The records consist of clippings, articles, correspondence, reports, newsletters and position papers. Series 13 - Family Issue records. The records in this series reflect various concerns related to family life such as corporal punishment, death, divorce and handicaps. The records consist of articles, correspondence, briefs, brochures, pamphlets, discussion paper, bills, and newsletters. Series 14 - Human Rights Issue records. The records in this series consist of records related to human rights issues such as unemployment, hate literature and the Human Rights Act. The records consist of clippings, articles, news releases, publications, correspondence and bills. Series 15 - Sunday Issue records. The records in this series relate mainly to the issue of Sunday shopping and the PAOC's response to that issue. The records consist of correspondence with the government, articles, clippings, bills, news releases, briefs, notes and correspondence. There are also records of the Fairness for Families organization. Series 16 - Local Church Social Concerns records. The records in this series document Social Concerns activities in churches and consist of correspondence, minutes, reports and clippings. Series 17 - Unsorted Topical Issue records. The records in this series will eventually be integrated into series 6 after further arrangement.

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        PAOC Archives FileMaker Pro Database

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