Summary: This accessible history tells the story of how adult Christians of the 1500s first shaped the Anabaptist believers church tradition and of how it lives on today and can be joined by any who identify with Anabaptist understandings of following Christ.

"I can’t wait to use this with my high school Anabaptist theology and history class as well as my new members’ classes. It’s an accessible, user-friendly, up-to-date resource that reflects the vitality and diversity of those who have lived and currently are living the Anabaptist story." —Sheri Hostetler, Pastor, First Mennonite Church of San Francisco

"As this vital resource for current younger Mennonites or those exploring Anabaptism stirs a remembering of the past, it will awaken contemporary Anabaptists to be radically discipled after Jesus into a more hopeful future." —Drew G. I. Hart, blogger for Christian Century and The Mennonite, is Author, Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism (2016)

"This is a superb account of the diversity and unifying understandings of Anabaptism from its beginnings in sixteenth-century Europe through its expressions today in North America and worldwide. Thoughtful questions help the readers connect to the Anabaptist story and its meaning in their lives." —J. Richard Thomas, Superintendent, Lancaster Mennonite School

"As a first-generation Mennonite, I’m grateful that this resource invites me to reflect on my part of the story, what it means to be an Anabaptist today, and how relevant early Anabaptist positions like nonviolence are in today’s world." —Carlos Romero, Executive Director, Mennonite Education Agency

"This is an excellent overview of Anabaptist history, from its humble beginnings through persecution to the present day. It will be a wonderful addition to any classroom or personal study." —Tony Hartman, Middle School Bible Teacher, Sarasota Christian School

"This much-needed interpretation and narrative presents not only a concise and teachable history of Anabaptist history but also a usable past that challenges us toward Christian renewal and witness." —Lloyd Weiler, Chair, Board of Directors, Muddy Creek Farm Library; Mennonite historian

The Authors: Lisa D. Weaver, Madison, Wisconsin, teaches in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She is a previous board member of the Mennonite Historical Society, Goshen, Indiana; has served on the steering committee as a member of the Bearing Witness project, Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism; and is president of the board, Central District Conference, Mennonite Church USA.

J. Denny Weaver, Madison, Wisconsin, editor of the C. Henry Smith Series, has written, edited, or co-edited many other books and shorter contributions, including Becoming Anabaptist. He taught 31 years at Bluffton University and is a frequent speaker in a variety of academic and church settings. His foreign experience includes service with Mennonite Central Committee, Christian Peacemaker Teams, and short-term teaching in Kenya and Congo.

Market: High school students; Christian education and other congregational study groups interested in particularly accessible overview of Anabaptist-Mennonite history; new congregational membership classes; new Mennonites wanting an overview of their denomination’s history and core values.

Shelving:  History—Anabaptist, Mennonite—Europe, U.S., and worldwide. BISAC: History, Religion. RTM: 430 History/American; 690 Religion/Ethics

The Authors:  Lisa D. Weaver, Madison, Wisconsin, teaches in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She is a previous board member of the Mennonite Historical Society, Goshen, Indiana; has served on the steering committee as a member of the Bearing Witness project, Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism; and is president of the board, Central District Conference, Mennonite Church USA.

J. Denny Weaver, Madison, Wisconsin, editor of the C. Henry Smith Series, has written, edited, or co-edited many other books and shorter contributions, including Becoming Anabaptist. He taught 31 years at Bluffton University and is a frequent speaker in a variety of academic and church settings. His foreign experience includes service with Mennonite Central Committee, Christian Peacemaker Teams, and short-term teaching in Kenya and Congo.

Publisher: Cascadia Publishing House LLC
Potential Copublisher: None
Publication date: December 2015
Tentative Pages: 114
Format: 8 x 8" trade paper with full color photos and illustrations throughout
Prices: $19.95 US/Can. ISBN 13:  978-1-68027-004-4 ISBN 10: 1-68027-004-4