A book containing the canon law, doctrines and rituals of a Christian denomination
A Book of Discipline (or in its shortened form Discipline)[1] is a book detailing the beliefs,
standards, doctrines,
canon law, and
polity of a particular
Christian denomination.[2][3] They are often re-written by the governing body of the church concerned due to changes in society and in the denomination itself.[4] As many Christian denominations are global, a Book of Discipline may be multilingual.
^"Glossary: Book of Discipline, The".
The United Methodist Church. Retrieved 28 May 2021. A fundamental book outlining the law, doctrine, administration, organizational work and procedures of The United Methodist Church. Each General Conference amends The Book of Discipline, and the actions of the General Conference are reflected in the quadrennial revision. Often referred to as The Discipline.
^Neely, Thomas Benjamin (1924). Vital Points in the Methodist Episcopal Church. E. A. Yeakel. p. 121. Throughout all the ecclesiastical changes under James VI, Knox' Book of Common Order and the Second Book of Discipline had held their place as containing the authorative declaration of the polity and ritual of the Church.
^Ward, Sir Adolphus William (1907). Cambridge Modern History. Macmillan. p. 494.
^Sigler, R. Matthew (4 July 2018). Methodist Worship: Mediating the Wesleyan Liturgical Heritage. Taylor & Francis.
ISBN978-0-429-95992-9. Since 1784, American Methodists have followed a Book of Discipline under various titles in maters of church law and doctrine.