Book excerpt: Originally published in 1962, A Baptist Manual of Policy and Practice was written to bring together traditional Baptist positions and practices and the modifications adopted over the years. The first revised edition, published in 1991, maintained this objective and with contemporary and inclusive language added new insights and new understandings. This 50th Anniversary edition, while retaining the original's basic aim of describing the general church practice of Baptists (especially American Baptists) in the context of their biblical and theological foundations, was prepared with several additional goals in mind: Respond to profound shifts in Baptist polity that have occurred since 1991 Address new challenges, especially that of an increasingly fragmentary and secular culture Emphasize the trend toward a looser and more locally focused form of ministry Freshen the book's general style and tone Book jacket.