"In this work, Langford offers a creative approach to understanding individual church communities and, particularly for ministers, of serving them effectively. By investigating history, Langford enables us to see how patterns and assumptions are expressed as identity, and he explores how these might be developed, questioned, challenged, or renewed, thus offering insights for congregations seeking to be faithful and appropriate in a world that is different from that in which they started up." -- Ruth Gouldbourne, minister, Cheadle Hulme Baptist Church " Unmasking the Angel is inspired by the theological writings of Walter Wink, but draws on detailed research into the history of selected English Baptist churches and engagement with various theologians, historians, philosophers, sociologists, and representatives of other disciplines. The result is an intriguing exploration of the corporate personality of congregations and how this both shapes them and can be shaped by them." --Stuart Murray-Williams, director, Centre for Anabaptist Studies, Bristol Baptist College "Church communities are often complex. Steve Langford creates a helpful dialogue between Walter Wink and three historical case studies of congregations to offer a fascinating, sobering, and inspiring way for navigating those complexities more faithfully and attentively. This book is grounded, erudite, measured, lucid, and ultimately hopeful. As a pastor theologian, Langford offers a theological imaginary for approaching challenges that might bewilder ministers and church leaders at times, reframing them in a way that envisions them as opportunities for possible transformation or, if not, for death and resurrection.

" --Tim Judson, lecturer in ministerial formation, Regent's Park College, University of Oxford.