Handbook of Denominations in the United States

The Handbook of Denominations in the United States serves as a reference guide to religious organizations and faith traditions across America. This comprehensive volume provides data about membership, beliefs, practices, and histories of Christian denominations and other religious groups. The book organizes denominations into major families such as Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and others, offering statistical information and doctrinal comparisons. Each entry includes details about a group's founding, leadership structure, worship styles, and distinguishing theological positions. Beyond the mainline Protestant and Catholic churches, the handbook covers Orthodox Christian bodies, historically African American denominations, and non-Christian faiths present in the United States. The text maintains a factual, academic approach while remaining accessible to general readers. The work reflects broader themes of religious diversity and denominational development in American culture. Its systematic cataloging of religious groups reveals patterns in how faith communities evolve, divide, and adapt over time in response to social changes.

Readers value this reference book for its factual, concise summaries of different Christian denominations and religious groups. Many cite its usefulness as a quick lookup guide for understanding basic beliefs, practices, and histories of various faiths. Liked: - Clear organization and easy navigation - Inclusion of membership statistics - Brief but informative historical backgrounds - Objective tone in describing beliefs Disliked: - Some outdated information in older editions - Limited coverage of non-Christian religions - Missing some smaller denominations - Brief treatment of complex theological differences On Amazon, multiple reviewers noted inaccuracies about their own denominations. One reader commented: "Information about my church was from the 1950s and hasn't been updated." Ratings: Amazon: 4.4/5 (126 reviews) Goodreads: 3.9/5 (47 ratings) Most readers recommend the book as a starting reference while acknowledging its limitations and the need to verify current information from denominational sources.

The Religious History of America by Edwin S. Gaustad, Leigh E. Schmidt This work traces the development and interactions of religious movements throughout American history from colonial times to present day.

Dictionary of Christianity in America by Daniel G. Reid, Robert D. Linder, Bruce L. Shelley, and Harry S. Stout The encyclopedia-style entries cover denominations, movements, institutions, and key figures in American Christian history.

Christianity in the United States by Thomas Schirrmacher The book maps the current landscape of Christian denominations and religious organizations across the United States through statistical data and institutional structures.

American Religion: Contemporary Trends by Mark Chaves The text presents research-based analysis of religious affiliations, memberships, and demographic shifts in American religious institutions from 1972 to present.

America's Religious History by Thomas S. Kidd The chronological exploration documents the formation, evolution, and interconnections of religious groups in America from pre-colonial era through modern times.

📚 The Handbook has been continuously published and updated since 1951, making it one of the longest-running reference guides for American religious groups. 🔍 Author Craig D. Atwood serves as interim dean at Wake Forest University School of Divinity and has specialized expertise in Moravian studies and American religious history. ⚡ The 14th edition (2016) covers more than 200 distinct religious bodies and includes emerging movements like the New Apostolic Reformation. 🌎 The book categorizes denominations into "families," helping readers understand how different churches relate to each other historically and theologically. 📊 Each denomination's entry includes not just beliefs and practices, but also statistical data about membership numbers and geographic distribution across the United States.