Originally published in 1962, A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice was written to bring together traditional Baptist positions and practices and the modifications adopted over the years. This classic was first revised in 1991 and then again in 2012 for its 50th anniversary. In addition to freshening the book's general style and tone, the current edition reflects:: Profound shifts in Baptist polity since 1991New challenges, especially that of an increasingly fragmentary and secularistic cultureA looser and more locally focused form of ministryAlthough the focus of the book (especially in the latter chapters) is on the American Baptist Churches USA, most of the manual is written with an eye to basic principles shared widely and historically across the Baptist family of associations and denominations.Contents include: The New Testament concept of the churchThe local church and its officersThe meaning of church membershipThe Baptist ministry including Baptism and the Lord's SupperThe Associational Principle of BaptistsAutonomy and interdependenceEcumenical relationshipsAnd, the appendix offers: Significant dates in Baptist historyChurch covenantsSuggested constitution and bylaws
