Christian DenominationsChristian Denominations

Lesson Objectives:Lesson Objectives:

•To find out why there are different churches within To find out why there are different churches within ChristianityChristianity•To think about how these different ‘denominations’ To think about how these different ‘denominations’ affect Christiansaffect Christians

Key Words:Key Words:

Denomination – Different branches of the Christian Denomination – Different branches of the Christian ChurchChurchMinister – Protestant ClergymanMinister – Protestant ClergymanPastor – Priest or Vicar in some Protestant churchesPastor – Priest or Vicar in some Protestant churches

Comunicación y Gerencia

Christian Christian DenominationsDenominations

When you see any Christian When you see any Christian churchs churchs

these days, take a close look at these days, take a close look at their their

names and you will find there are names and you will find there are

many different groups such as:many different groups such as:• Roman CatholicRoman Catholic• AnglicanAnglican• Methodist Methodist • BaptistBaptist• United ReformedUnited Reformed

Each of these groups is known as Each of these groups is known as a a

Denomination Denomination of Christianity. of Christianity.

Although some small churches Although some small churches don’t don’t

belong to a denomination, most belong to a denomination, most do.do.

Sarah Wants to Join a Church …

In this lesson you will find out the different denominations of Christianity.

Christian Christian DenominationsDenominations

Many of these denominations Many of these denominations have have

existed for centuries. Most began existed for centuries. Most began

because Christians were not because Christians were not

satisfied with the church or satisfied with the church or

denomination that they belonged denomination that they belonged to. to.

Over time they have developed Over time they have developed their their

own identities and patterns of own identities and patterns of

worship. worship.

Roman Catholics and Anglicans for Roman Catholics and Anglicans for

example will worship with candles example will worship with candles and and

in some cases statues, whereas in some cases statues, whereas

others prefer simpler forms of others prefer simpler forms of

worship centred around reading worship centred around reading and and

explaining the bible.explaining the bible.

Christian Christian DenominationsDenominations

Most denominations have Most denominations have priests, priests,

although they are sometimes although they are sometimes

called called pastorspastors or or ministers. ministers. In a In a

few Christian communities few Christian communities there there

are no priests, as a member of are no priests, as a member of

the congregation takes the the congregation takes the

service.service.

In some denominations church In some denominations church

services are long and noisy, services are long and noisy,

whereas in others there is a whereas in others there is a

great emphasis on silence, great emphasis on silence,

thought and reflection.thought and reflection.

Christian Christian DenominationsDenominations

Often people talk of the ‘ChristianOften people talk of the ‘Christian

Family’. If it is a family then it is Family’. If it is a family then it is

certainly a big one! There are certainly a big one! There are

thought to be more than twenty thought to be more than twenty

thousand different Christian thousand different Christian

denominations throughout the denominations throughout the world world

with about one thousand two with about one thousand two hundred hundred

million Christians worshiping million Christians worshiping

regularly. However, 9 out of every regularly. However, 9 out of every 10 10

Christians belong to just seven of Christians belong to just seven of

these denominations. The these denominations. The

denominations can be grouped denominations can be grouped into into

three main Christian ‘Families’:three main Christian ‘Families’:• The Roman Catholic ChurchThe Roman Catholic Church• The Orthadox ChurchThe Orthadox Church• The Protestant ChurchThe Protestant Church

Christian Christian DenominationsDenominations

The Roman Catholic and The Roman Catholic and

Eastern Orthodox Churches split Eastern Orthodox Churches split

from each other in the eleventh from each other in the eleventh

century (called the century (called the Great Great SchismSchism) )

and then other churches split from and then other churches split from

the Catholic Church to form the the Catholic Church to form the

protestant churches during the protestant churches during the

Reformation. Reformation. In the centuries In the centuries that that

followed the Protestant Church followed the Protestant Church

fragmented into smaller groups as fragmented into smaller groups as

the Church of England, Baptist the Church of England, Baptist

Church, Methodist Church, Church, Methodist Church, Salvation Salvation

Army and others came into Army and others came into

existence.existence.

Christian Christian DenominationsDenominations

Key Question:Key Question:

Why are there so many Why are there so many

denominations and how do denominations and how do

they differ from each they differ from each

Other?Other?