This book has been recognized as an accurate, objective, and comprehensive source of information on denominational groupings in the United States for over half a century. This new edition offered at the dawn of a new millennium, has been thoroughly revised. However, it maintains the accessibility and readability that have been hallmarks of previous editions. The eleventh edition presents updated entries on the major Christian denominations in the United States--their historical backgrund, their doctrines, or main teachings, and their polity or structure of governance. Included are statistics on the number of churches and church members and information about church-related schools and institutions. This book also treats the major branches of Judaism and Islam that are found in the U.S.
The new edition features a reorganized division of denominational 'families' intended to help readers find information on and understand relationship between churches more quicly. A new introduction on religion in Ameirca, lists of church membership int he main ecumenical organizations, charts depicting the historical development of denominations, a directory of denominational headquarters and Web sites, a list of suggested readings, and an index add to the usefulness of this volume.
