About BAHN

The Brethren Archivists and Historians Network (BAHN) supports those from many countries who are interested in researching aspects of Brethren history and seeing the results of such research published. Those involved represent a wide spectrum of ecclesiological and theological outlooks, backgrounds and current affiliations, but are united in wanting to understand more of the tradition with which most are or have been linked. BAHN is always looking to widen the network and foster mutual encouragement among its members.

Its stated aims are:

·       To support the development of archives of the history of the Christian Brethren, the deposit of material in such archives and to make their resources better known.

·       To encourage research into Brethren history world-wide, to assist those writing on such topics and to encourage co-operation, and greater understanding of the development of the movement.

·       To support the publication and circulation of historical works on the Brethren, and to increase awareness of them.

BAHN publishes the Brethren Historical Review once a year. The latest issue is available as a free download. Click here.

The Brethren Historical Review (formerly the BAHN Review) provides articles, notes on work in progress, and book reviews. The latest issue of the Review (vol.8, 2012) includes the following articles:

• Timothy C. F. Stunt, An Early Account of the Brethren in 1838
• Óli Jacobsen, Daniel J. Danielsen (1871–1916):
• The Faeroese who Changed History in the Congo
• Neil T. R. Dickson, The Stone in the Water: Scottish Baptist-Brethren Dialogue, 2004-6
• Obituary: F. Roy Coad

Articles from previous issues of the Review can be accessed in the Review articles section of this website. Reviews of books and journal papers relevant to Brethren history can be accessed in Book reviews.

BAHN organises a biennial international Brethren history conference.

The sixth conference will be held at Pilgrim Hall, East Sussex, England, from 15th until 17th July, 2013, and its theme will be 'Brethren thought in historical perspective'.

The principal papers which are being offered are:

• • Mark Stevenson, ‘Calvinistic Soteriology: A Nineteenth-Century Brethren Distinctive’
  • Dr Neil Summerton, ‘The Theology of George Müller’
  • Simone Maghenzani, ‘Between History and Ecclesiology: Count Piero Guicciardini and Brethren Identity’
  • Revd Anne-Louise Critchlow, ‘The Mystic Spirituality of William Kelly’
  • Troy Lohmeyer, ‘Eschatology in the Thought of F. W. Grant’
  • Dr Neil Dickson, ‘“Friends of God”: Emma Frances Bevan (1827-1909)

Papers given at the first International Brethren History conference in 2003 have been published in Neil Dickson and Tim Grass (eds), The Growth of the Brethren Movement: National and International Experiences, Carlisle: Paternoster, 2006 (a festschrift for the 80th birthday of Harold Rowdon). Papers from the second conference are expected to be in print later this year under the title, Witnessing in Many Lands: Leadership and Outreach in the Brethren

 A number of BAHN members have published histories of the movement.

More information on these and other key books on Brethren history can be found on this website in Further reading. Several of these new academic histories of the Brethren appear in Paternoster Press's series, Studies in Evangelical History.

You can join BAHN by writing with a completed subscription form to BAHN Secretary, 1 Brands Row, Crossgates, Fife KY4 8DE, enclosing a cheque, payable to "Partnership (UK) Ltd", negotiable at a UK bank, for £10. (Alternatively, you may pay by credit card; please provide in writing the usual details and authorisation to deduct £12.) This will entitle you to membership for a year, together with at least one issue of Brethren Historical Review. You can submit your details by clicking on the Subscription form link above.

For more information on BAHN and the International Brethren History conferences, contact BAHN's convener, Neil Dickson.