"One of more surprising facts about Shortwood is that it was for many years the largest Baptist congregation outside of London. Given the region’s rural, lower middle class character, it is natural to wonder how did this come about. In Albion Urdank’s socioeconomic study of Shortwood Baptist, he looks to explain this expansion by the forces at work in the politics, economics, and sectarian religion of that place and time. No divine cause and effect is taken into account. Now we know from Scripture that ultimately the reason Shortwood grew was through the blessing of the risen Christ, pouring out his Spirit in the preaching of the Word. People from a variety of backgrounds experienced the washing of regeneration, were baptized, and joined the church. Then by the on-going work of the Spirit they lived out their faith in love toward each other and outsiders."