Revd Dr Lesley Husselbee retired after nine years as Director of Church Related Community Work, Northern College, Luther King House, Manchester. Prior to this, she taught in primary and secondary schools and as Senior Lecturer in Geography at The Roehampton Institute of Higher Education; and was Secretary for Training of the United Reformed Church (1992-2001). Paul Ballard, a Baptist minister, is Professor Emeritus at Cardiff University, where he taught practical theology. Recent publications include, with Malcolm Brown, The Church and Economic Life (2006), with Lesley Husselbee, Community and Ministry (2007); and, as editor, The Bible in Pastoral Practice, with Stephen R. Holmes (2005) and The Church at the Centre of the City (2008).

A succinct account of recent dissent and nonconformity...This book is easily read, both in its individual chapters and as a whole... If its information is in part already known, those generalisations of, for example, a social gospel or Nonconformist Conscience, ate here reinforced and exemplified through relevant, clear details reflecting the individual strengths and personal researches of the contributors... This important and optimistic book should serve quite excellently its own stated purpose.

• Introduction Kirsty Thorpe 1. The Free Churches and their Nation Stephen Orchard 2. Congregations and Community Robert Pope 3. Conscience and Politics David Bebbington 4. Providers and Protagonists in the Nation's Education Stephen Orchard 5. Industry, Philanthropy and Christian Citizenship: Pioneers in Paternalism Clyde Binfield 6. Slums and Salvation Peter Catterall 7. Campaigners and co-operative societies David Thompson8. The Welfare State and Beyond: the Reshaping of Community Work Lesley Husselbee 9. Living out of History Paul Ballard Bibliography Index