Usually, church historians utilize church minutes, newsletters, scrapbooks, and associational annuals to craft the history of a congregation. Newspapers, personal letters, official church records and other historical sources all have strengths and weaknesses as tools for reconstructing the past. Writers of congregational history often rely on tape- recorded recollections which contain information not found in the written record. Select the best candidates for interviews. Choose members who communicate well and have an interest in the project.
Good storytellers are usually excellent choices for oral history interviews.
The interviews need to capture the history of the church as viewed through the lives of its members. The interviews need to gather impressions about leaders, events, programs, styles of worship, music, church procedures, and in general the life of the church during the lifetime of the interviewees. Let them tell of their salvation experience and other spiritual landmarks. Be sure you have the right equipment for the interviews. If your church has an audiovisual technician or someone responsible for the sound system, they may be able to assist you in this area.