Resolves of the Executive Council

Searching the Executive Council Digital Archive

The search box above is designed for single word or multiple word searching. A search will produce an index screen that displays the total number of retrieved items and lists each resolution by title and meeting in order from newest to oldest. The index screen will allow you to browse the results and to click on individual entries for the resolution. Below are some helpful searching strategies.

Single Word (type one word, e.g.: Liturgy)

Typing a single word in the search box will return all resolutions that contain that word anywhere in the text. This approach works best for a broad, catch-all search on a topic or person.

Multiple Words (type two or more words with a space between, e.g.: Indigenous Ministry)

Use this approach to recall all the resolutions that contain both the words Indigenous and Ministry anywhere in a report (not necessarily next to each other). This approach is good if you are unsure of exactly what you are trying to find as it allows you to browse a large list of retrieved items.

Compound Words (type the words inside quotation marks, e.g.: "World Mission")

Using the quotation marks retrieves strings of words wherever they appear, precisely as you type them, and exactly next to each other. This strategy is excellent for precise searching of specific word phrases. Use it whenever you are looking for terms such as "Standing Committee on World Mission".

Topic Search

If you are having trouble beginning, try the Topic button. This will take you to a preselected list of resolutions that the Archives has determined are substantively related to a specific subject category. The mere mention of a word such as Evangelism will not qualify a resolution for entry under that category (the resolution has to be about evangelism). Be sure to use your own search terms if you want to rely on your own judgment of relevance.

Other Searching Strategies

• Using the Year drop down will display all the resolutions in a particular year.
• The search tool is not case sensitive (use: William or william).
• An asterisk will "truncate" your words in order to pull in more items -- a useful way of bringing up plural forms and unsure spellings (e.g.: missionar* for missionary and missionaries).
• Boolean searching is available for those who are familiar with it. You may use the conjunctions AND, OR, and parentheses (), as in (latino or minority) AND ministry

For additional help in using this resource, please contact our staff using the Contact Form.