Christian Denominations
Listed below are links to some of the main Christian denominations in Britain. A denomination is the name given to a group of Christians who share similar beliefs to each other.
By clicking on any of them, you will be able to find out more about what each of them believes and how they live out their faith. They also provide contact details, if you wish to find out more.
The Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, is the Established
Church in England; in other words, it is the Church recognised in Law.
It is made up of communities of Christians in every corner of the land,
most of which can be found via the parish church buildings in cities,
towns and many villages. The Church of England traces its roots back to
the apostles (the earliest followers of Jesus), separating from the
Roman Catholic Church at the time of the Reformation (16th century).
The Anglican Communion is the worldwide body of Churches who share
similar beliefs and recognise the Archbishop of Canterbury as their spiritual leader. You might also like to visit the Modern Churchpeople's Union, which is an Anglican society that promotes liberal theology.
The Roman Catholic Church has its central administrative offices in the Vatican,
and recognises the Pope as the successor of St Peter, entrusted by
Christ to look after his people. It has over one billion members
throughout the world, who gather in their churches to celebrate the
Mass. They have a special devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and
believe that he is truly present in the bread and wine of Communion.
Catholic bishops administer dioceses in which unmarried (celibate)
priests work alongside nuns, brothers and lay people.
Methodism originated in the 18th century in England with John Wesley and his younger brother Charles, as a movement within the Church of England. It focused on Bible study, and a methodical approach to scriptures and Christian living. The Methodist Church in Britain does not have bishops, having instead a strong central
organization, the Connexion, which holds an annual Conference.
Formed in 1972 by the union of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches, the United Reformed Church (URC) comprises 150,000 adults and 100,000 children and young people in 1750 congregations spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales, served by some 1100 ministers, both women and men. Along with other
Reformed churches the URC holds to the Trinitarian faith (the belief in
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) expressed in the historic
Christian creeds (statements of belief) and finds its supreme authority
for faith and conduct in the Word of God in the Bible, under guidance
of the Holy Spirit. Theologically, the United Reformed Church is a
broad church. Its membership embraces congregations of evangelical,
charismatic and liberal understandings of the Christian faith.
Although primarily a Christian Church, the Salvation Army is one of the largest provider of social
care in the UK, after the government, from child care to elderly care,
from homelessness projects to addiction rehabilitation. Their ministry
is offered to all, regardless of race, creed, colour, age or sex.
Services are offered to those of any (or no) faith. Members of the Army
are inspired by their belief in a loving and caring God to show their
love for humanity and their practical response to human need.
Baptist
churches are found in almost every country in the world. As part of the
world-wide Christian church, Baptists form one of the largest families
of faith. For Baptists the concept of a family is important. The church
is not so much a particular place or building, but rather a family of
believers, committed to Christ, to one another and to the service of
God in the world. There is no hierarchy of bishops or
priests exercising authority over their members. Instead, each local
Baptist church appoints its own leaders - or ministers - to have
particular responsibility for preaching, teaching and pastoral care.
Working alongside these ministers are also deacons, who together with
the minister(s) form the leadership team of the local Baptist church.
The Baptist Union.
The two most widely known Orthodox traditions are the Greek and Russian Orthodox.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is a self-governing body of Christians
adhering to a pure and unbroken line from first days of the Apostles
and the disciples of Jesus. Essentially the Orthodox Church shares much
with the other Christian churches in the belief that God revealed
himself in Jesus Christ, and a belief in the incarnation of Christ, his
crucifixion and resurrection. The Orthodox Church differs substantially
in the way of life and worship.
Greek Orthodox http://www.nostos.com/church/