Many recognise Everett Ferguson as the definitive voice on early Christianity, patristic writing and ecclesiology. "The Early Church at Work and Worship" is a challenging collection, broad in scope and formidable in depth. This is the first volume of Ferguson"s collected essays, and includes some of his most memorable work, especially on "laying on of hands". Practices of Ordination and attitudes to religious schism in antiquity are analysed in this collection, which not only includes articles and publications from various sources, but also previously unpublished material. Everett Ferguson is Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Abilene Christian University. He was editor of "The Encyclopedia of Early Christianity" (2nd ed., 1997) and is author of many works including "Early ChristiansSpeak" (2 volumes 1999, 2002); "Backgrounds of Early Christianity" (3rd ed., 2003); "Inheriting Wisdom: Readings for Today from Ancient Christian Writers" (2004); "Church History, vol. 1: From Christ...