The Baptist Congregation

Stanley J. Grenz seeks to build upon emphases that have been significant throughout Baptist history-the personal nature of the salvation experience, the ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper, the primacy of Scripture, the church as a company of the redeemed, and the concept of separation of church and state. Questions relating to each chapter will stimulate group interaction and provide thought for personal reflection. Baptists of all fellowships and affiliations will find this book an invaluable resource for understanding the foundations of Baptist beliefs and polity.

"The Baptist Church Covenant: Its History and Meaning" explores the origins, purpose and meaning of church covenants used by Baptist churches. Church covenants were the original Mission Statements and Vision Statements of Baptists, long before Starbucks or Ben & Jerry's ever thought about writing such documents. When Baptists began in the seventeenth century, they organized congregations using covenants. These were documents signed by the founding members of a church, describing their commitment to God and one another. Church covenants became widespread among Baptists in America. Mission Statements are again gaining popularity among churches. Most Baptist churches may not realize they do not have to start from scratch in defining its direction and purpose. They may already have such a statement, which they can build upon, written over a century and a half ago. Most Baptist churches were organized using the popular covenant written by John Newton Brown and published in his Baptist Church Manual in 1853. It can often be found as part of a church's statement of faith, constitution, or bylaws. It is sometimes found pasted in the back of old hymnals or hanging in frames on church walls. Covenants may be a forgotten part of a congregation's heritage. They can be recovered and used to ground a congregation in its past while giving direction for its future. In this book Marshall Davis traces the history of church covenants and their roots in the biblical concept of covenant. Then he explores the most popular church covenant in use today, uncovering its roots in scriptural principles. He examines the covenant phrase by phrase, showing how this historical document addresses the most important issues facing churches today.

Dr. JM Carroll's "The Trail of Blood" is a great historical premise concerning the beginnings of the church from "Christ it's founder, till the current day". Written in the early 20th century, Dr. Carroll details the history and plight of TRUE bible believers throughout time. Still as relevant today as it was almost 100 years ago, this timeless classic is a must-have part of any Christian's personal reading collection.

The Baptist Way is an introduction to the principles that distinguish Baptists from other Christians. In some cases these ideas were once peculiarly Baptists, though they are now more widely held among other groups. For Stan Norman, healthy Baptist churches intentionally and diligently adhere to their Baptist distinctives.

An updated examination of ecclesiology from a Baptist perspective In this useful book, professor and former pastor John Hammett helps church leaders think through foundational questions about the nature of the church. Blending biblical teaching and practical ministry experience, Hammett presents a comprehensive ecclesiology from a historic Baptist perspective, examining crucial contemporary issues such as church discipline, the role of elders, and church ministry in a post-Christian culture. This second edition contains updates throughout, including: · Substantive changes to chapters on the nature of the church, Baptist church polity, and deacons · An expanded chapter on baptism and the Lord’s Supper · A thoroughly revised chapter on church models like multisite churches and missional churches · A brand-new chapter on meaningful church membership