Evangelical churches

Where it came from

Its roots lie in the 18th-century awakenings in Britain and America, with a clear self-identity forming in mid-20th-century North America. There is no central body — Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and independent churches all contain large evangelical constituencies.

What it holds

• Scripture is the highest authority and fully trustworthy
• Each person must be personally converted — born again
• Christ's death on the cross is the heart of salvation
• Every believer shares responsibility for evangelism
• Everything else — baptism, governance, spiritual gifts — follows the denomination the church belongs to

What a service is like

Extremely varied, from traditional choirs to contemporary bands. What they share is a central, Bible-based sermon, often with an invitation to respond.

How it relates to others

A cross-denominational outlook. Many churches are both Baptist and evangelical — the first describes governance and baptism, the second a theological stance.

Common questions