The first purpose of this introduction is actually to make two introductions: one to the book and its design and purposes, the other to its writer (me). One other purpose is to offer you, the reader, several words of caution. Even if you choose to skip the two earlier parts of this introduction, please do not overlook the latter.

If you are reading this book, you are probably a Baptist. After all, who else would be interested in becoming or in leading their church to be a distinctively Baptist church? And if you are attracted to this topic, this may not be the first book you have seen and/or read about Baptists, their theology, and their practice. Many have been written—especially recently.

So why this one? The answer is simple. Though much has been written about what Baptists believe or have believed, there seem to be three unfortunate gaps. First, most of these books seem to be aimed at clergy and theological scholars and not at laity. Second, little has been said or written about how certain key historically Baptist beliefs should shape the way a church looks and functions. Third, there is a lack of material designed to help churches work through how their Baptist heritage should and will shape their life and witness.

This book and its free downloadable teaching guide (available at www.helwys.com/prevost_tg.pdf) intend to fill those three voids. Through them, we will first explore the foundations: Baptist history and doctrine. These may sound like “dry” topics at first. However, many people who research their genealogy and heritage find—often to their surprise—that the work is fresh and exciting. (My hope and prayer is that you and your church will make the same discovery.)

Then we will ask ourselves, so what? You see, even if we are excited by our Baptist heritage, it matters little if we do not live and show it in our churches. Toward this end we will ask ourselves how Baptist doctrine can and should influence our worship, evangelism, missions, and education ministries as Baptist churches. Through the study and reflection questions, you will be challenged to consider how you and your church can and will live out your wonderful Baptist heritage right where you are. That is your decision. You and your church are independent and autonomous under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

You are probably also (rightfully) asking yourself about me. Why, beyond the above, am I writing this? First and foremost, it is because of who I am—a Baptist. Reared by Baptist parents. Saved and baptized at the age of seven in Colonial Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Called to ministry at the age of nine at a Royal Ambassadors Camp at Harding Lake, Alaska. Grew up going to Sunday schools and Vacation Bible Schools in Baptist churches in Tennessee, Alaska, Washington, and Mississippi (I was an Army brat). Received degrees from two Baptist schools. Licensed and ordained to the ministry by Baptist churches. Ordained a deacon by a Baptist church. Served as minister and deacon in Baptist churches since 1968. Taught in three Baptist colleges and universities and three Baptist seminaries. Written Bible study and missions education curricula for four Baptist publishing houses. Baptists such as John Smyth, Roger Williams, and E. Y. Mullins were among my boyhood heroes (and they remain so).

Being Baptist is almost all I know. Being Baptist is all I know how to be in my Christian walk and call. It matters so much that it is one of my primary areas of research. It is one of the subjects I teach.

Being Baptist matters to me. I find it disturbing that so many Baptists today have forgotten what it means—beyond the mode of baptism—to be Baptist. They have forgotten their heritage. Countless Baptist forebears bought and wrote that heritage with their blood. We may remember the names of some. We may have forgotten some. We will never know the names of many. We Baptists today owe them. It is not so much whether or not we remember and honor their names. What is important is whether we honor the legacy they left us.

Some suggest that we are in a “post-denominational age.” They say that church people today are more concerned with being Christian rather than being Baptist. Me, too. Being in Christ is more important than anything.

However, being Christian does not mean that every other bit of our identity is lost. For many of us, the Baptist way of being Christian is a unique heritage. I may be naïve, but I think that people today are hungering for more than a name. They crave something in which to believe. Something beyond themselves. Something that matters. My challenge to you through this book is that you become—and lead your church to become—Baptist not only in name, but in truth.

Now, here are the words of caution I mentioned in the opening paragraph. Firstly, I cannot and do not claim to speak for all Baptists of any era. Not of the past. Certainly not of the present. What I share is from my own study and research. It is not an exhaustive and comprehensive history. That was and is not my intention. Nor do I think that is what churches want and need.

Secondly, I am just one Baptist. Some other Baptist could take this same outline and write a book with different conclusions. That is fine, because that, too, is part of what it means to be a Baptist. Similarly, you may shape your and your church’s being Baptist in a way that varies from mine.

Thirdly, the mainstream of my own Baptist heritage is that which I am addressing. As you will see in the first chapter, there are today many kinds of Baptists. Most have some common roots. There are also a vast number of differences in their respective histories. The historical focus here will be on Baptists of the American South and how they grew out of the English Baptists.

Finally, Baptists are going to disagree on matters of doctrine and practice. More so on some, less on others. Not even the apostles Peter and Paul agreed on everything! Do not let your discussion, dialogue, and shaping become an exercise by which you exclude those who disagree. Rather, use it as an opportunity to learn from and understand our heritage and each other. (In such a diverse world, this can be a wonderful witness to God’s redeeming power!) Clarifying and living out who you are does not mean you cannot cooperate with those who differ. For example, being distinctively Baptist does not mean that one should not, cannot, or does not work alongside others, be they Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, or whatever.

The issue is finding a balance. That is a tricky proposition. My best guess is that the answer is rooted in love and respect.

Therefore, as we enter into our study together, let us keep before us the instruction my mother always gave me: “Be nice.” More importantly, we must consider and abide by what we read in 1 John 4:7-21 and 1 Corinthians 13. In fact, why not--right now--put down this book. Before you pick it up again and continue, read those two passages. Pray over them. Let God’s Holy Spirit speak to you 2hrough them and prepare your spirit, mind, and heart.

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