John Howard Shakespeare and the English Baptists, 1898-1924
The Rev. John Howard Shakespeare was General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland from 1898 until his resignation on the grounds of ill health in 1924. This thesis describes and evaluates changes in the Baptist denomination in England during that period, and assesses the significance of Shakespeareâs contribution. Following summaries of the history of Baptist ecclesiology and Shakespeareâs personal background, the main areas of denominational reform are described. The first of these is the strengthening of the Baptist Union and the expansion of its influence, which was the major feature of the period up to about 1908. This presented a challenge to the Baptists' traditional congregational church polity. The second is the changing approach to the recognition and support of Baptist ministers within the denomination, culminating in the 1916 Baptist Union Ministerial Settlement and Sustentation Scheme. The third is Shakespeare's search for church unity, both within Nonconformity and between Nonconformists and the Church of England, which dominated the post-war period. The formation of the Federal Council of the Evangelical Free Churches, of which Shakespeare was the first Moderator, in
Shepherd, Peter
Nonconformity; Free Churches; Congregationalism
John Howard Shakespeare and the English Baptists, 1898-1924. The Rev. John Howard Shakespeare was General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland from 1898 until his resignation on the grounds of ill health in 1924. This thesis describes and evaluates changes in the Baptist denomination in England during that period, and assesses the significance of Shakespeareâs contribution. Following summaries of the history of Baptist ecclesiology and Shakespeareâs personal background, the main areas of denominational reform are described. The first of these is the strengthening of the Baptist Union and the expansion of its influence, which was the major feature of the period up to about 1908. This presented a challenge to the Baptists' traditional congregational church polity. The second is the changing approach to the recognition and support of Baptist ministers within the denomination, culminating in the 1916 Baptist Union Ministerial Settlement and Sustentation Scheme. The third is Shakespeare's search for church unity, both within Nonconformity and between Nonconformists and the Church of England, which dominated the post-war period. The formation of the Federal Council of the Evangelical Free Churches, of which Shakespeare was the first Moderator, in
john shakespeare english baptists john shakespeare general secretary baptist union great_britain_ireland resignation ground ill_health describes evaluates change baptist denomination england_period assess_significance shakespeare contribution following summary history baptist ecclesiology shakespeare personal background main_area denominational reform describe first strengthen baptist union expansion influence major feature period presented challenge baptists traditional church polity second change recognition support baptist minister within denomination culminate baptist union ministerial settlement scheme third shakespeare search church unity within nonconformity nonconformists church_england dominate post_war_period formation federal council evangelical free churches shakespeare first