union avenue christian church |
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Perceptions of the Past Influence the Present as well as the Future Dr. G. Curtis Jones was the fifth senior minister to serve Union Avenue Christian Church (1955 – 1963). He is remembered to this day as a brilliant preacher and a prolific writer on matters pertaining to the church. His perspective on history is worth considering more closely because perceptions of the past influence the present as well as the future. “Without dialogue and dissent, history runs the danger of becoming a weapon of domination,” he asserts. “The party slogan in George Orwell’s 1984 conveys this truth: ‘Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.’” The locus of “control” is not at issue in what we seek to understand here. For the control of Union Avenue Christian Church and its future is in the hands of God, but shaping the future and understanding the past while “we live life forward” is an admirable and worthy goal. Dr. George A. Campbell, who served as the third senior minister of Union Avenue Christian Church from 1918 through 1938, addressed a presitigous gathering of St. Louis ministers upon the occasion of his retirment. In his address, under the title “Two Decades,” Dr. Campbell spoke about his love for the people of Union Avenue, the factors that contributed to the growth and success of the “brotherhood” under his leadership, and his advice on keeping the spirit of God present in the work of Christ’s church. At the top of his list: “Keep ever before the church that Christ is its primary builder. Discourage too much human strain, effort, and anxiety for results.” Sound advice from a pastor whose congregation grew by some 3,636 members (1,091 by confession and baptism and 2,545 by letter and statement) during his tenure. more Sunday morning worship @ 10:45 a.m. • Christian Education for all ages @ 9:30 a.m. |
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