Catholicism
The largest Christian tradition worldwide, in communion with the Pope in Rome, centred on the sacraments and an unbroken two-thousand-year continuity.
Denominations explained
Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal — what actually separates them? Each guide answers the same six questions, and points you to churches near you.
Baptist churches
A Protestant tradition marked by believer's baptism by full immersion, and by every congregation governing itself.
Pentecostal churches
A Protestant movement centred on the present work of the Holy Spirit — tongues, healing and prophecy are expected as normal Christian experience.
Anglican churches
Born of the English Reformation: liturgy close to Catholic practice, doctrine broadly Protestant, and unusually wide internal diversity.
Lutheran churches
The first Reformation tradition, built on justification by faith alone, while keeping much of the older liturgy.
Orthodox Christianity
The Eastern Christian tradition, known for icons, ancient liturgy and a spirituality centred on union with God.
Methodist churches
A revival tradition from the Wesley brothers, holding personal holiness and social action together.
Presbyterian churches
The main Reformed tradition: governed by councils of elders, with strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God.
Evangelical churches
Not a single denomination but an outlook found across many: personal conversion, biblical authority and active evangelism.
Non-denominational churches
Churches belonging to no denomination — self-governing, self-named, and among the fastest-growing categories in recent decades.
How to read any denomination quickly
You do not need to memorise the names. Six questions place almost any tradition:
- Authority: Scripture alone, or Scripture with tradition?
- Salvation: chosen by God, or freely accepted or refused?
- Baptism: are infants baptised? Pouring or full immersion?
- Communion: truly the body of Christ, or a memorial?
- Who decides: bishops, elders, or the whole congregation?
- Spiritual gifts: do tongues and healing continue today?