The aim of this volume is twofold. First, it is to provide European Baptists with a useful reference work concerning their own heritage, their common fund of essential belief and understanding, but also the diversity of practice amongst them. Secondly, it aims to identify these issues for the benefit of those who want to know what Baptists believe and why they hold their distinctive beliefs, what, in fact, makes Baptists tick. Themes running through this collection of articles include ecclesiology, worship and liturgy, diaconal services, all aspects of theology, mission, ethics, history and heritage, Baptist organizations, and ecumenical relations. There are also articles on Baptist witness, past and present, in every nation represented within the European Baptist Federation.

Extract from Baptist Revival Fellowship We explore the Baptist Revival Fellowship’s history from its foundation in 1938. It began as a movement to promote spiritual renewal in the Baptist Union. However, it withdrew from its affiliation in 1972. It draws on denominational records, press reports, some writings of its leaders and also the fellowship archive. The movement had three phases of development, and a chapter is devoted to each of these. During its early development between 1938 and 1960, the BRF mainly emphasized personal spiritual renewal and prayer for revival. However, in the late fifties it moved into more fundamentalist territory. Between 1960 and 1966 came the charismatic renewal and the prominence of Reformed theology. This led to renewed impetus and serious engagement with contemporary Baptist debates. The final phase was between 1966 and 1971 when the BRF adopted a policy of secession from the BU. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones had significant influence from the late fifties onwards. The BRF left the BU in reaction to a Christological controversy between 1971 and 1972.

In this book of essays for Paul Goodliff, some of the loves of his life are put into conversation with the practice of ministry. Paul Goodliff has been a Baptist minister for nearly thirty-five years, in roles that have been local, regional, national, and ecumenical. Ministry has also been the subject of his own research and publications. Ministry in Conversation seeks to extend his work and offer new insights.

On 9 January 2013 Dr. Ian M. Randall celebrated his sixty-fifth birthday. For this occasion, some friends and colleagues presented him with a Festschrift which reflects his achievements as a church historian with a particular interest in the Evangelical movement and spirituality. It also mirrors his involvement with theological training in central and eastern Europe. Over the last twenty years Dr. Randall has also established himself as a leading historian of the Baptist churches in Europe. The contributions to Grounded in Grace interact with his areas of interest: Baptists, the Anabaptist movement, Evangelicalism and spirituality. This book makes a valuable contribution to thinking in all these areas. Scholars, pastors, other church leaders and students will profit hugely from it. It contains a short biography and a bibliography of Ian’s publications.

The diverse Baptist movement goes back to the separatist wing of English puritanism. The book first describes the history and missionary expansion of this movement. It then lays out its teachings on baptism, eucharist, and ministry, its commitment to religious liberty and human rights, its socio-political involvement as well as the role of women in the church. Finally, exemplary details of Baptist existence in the local congregations and Unions/Conventions from around the world provide insight into the colorful life, work, order, and faith of a global people, held loosely together by its World Alliance. All thirty essays are written by experts in their fields from all continents.

Traditional evangelical theology, with its emphasis on individual responsibility and the independence of faith communities, has often failed to offer a robust ecclesial vision for the unity of Christ’s church. Engaging this reality, Dr. Oleksandr Geychenko seeks to provide a theological framework for understanding the ecclesiological nature of Ukrainian Baptist church associations. He traces the history and development of Baptist unions in Eastern Europe, examining associational practices and organisational structure, along with the theological language used to describe the role and purpose of such unions. In dialogue with the covenant theology of Paul S. Fiddes, he demonstrates that church associations should be viewed as more than pragmatic entities. Rather, they are ecclesial bodies embodying covenantal unity, committed to mutual care and participation in Christ’s mission to the world. While drawing from primary sources and ecclesial practices to provide a unique and significant contribution to local theology, this study bears relevance for engaging ecumenical relations across traditions and encouraging the unity of the broader global church.