WORLD CHURCH HISTORY

I. WORLD DENOMINATIONS:

There is one major line of demarcation within the Christian church: Either a Christian is Catholic

or Protestant or within the Protestant division of Christianity, there are primarily five major

divisions or families of Denominations:

• 1. Orthodox - Eastern Byzantine empire - primarily represented by Greek and Russian

Orthodox churches

• 2. Unity of the Brethren - began by secret small study groups formed by John Hus - Half

of which left to join the Moravians - both groups are still in existence today.

• 3. Lutheran - started by Martin Luther and although some Lutheran pastors have left to

join or start other movements, there has been no significant denominations that trace

their roots to Lutherans. This is to the Lutherans credit.

• 4. Anglican - Most denominations trace their roots to this branch: Baptists, Methodists,

Pentecostals, etc.

• 5. Reformed - A large number of denominations consider the Reformed church as their

historical foundation: Presbyterians, Amish, Evangelical Free, and CM and A

There are seven major families of denominations which comprise the Biblical Historical Christian

faith: Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Four Protestant Families.

A. Oriental Orthodox - Not to be confused with the Eastern Orthodox denominations - the Oriental

Orthodox churches broke off in the earliest of schisms in Church history. Some were Nestorians,

others were "monophysites" (a complex understanding of Christology unfairly declared heretical).

This family still has a representation of denominations dating back to the third century - Coptic

Christians in Egypt (heavily persecuted by Muslims), Church of India (established by the Apostle

Thomas), Armenian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (possibly dating as far back as

the Biblical encounter between the Apostle Philip and the influential Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8.

B. Roman Catholic - This group emerged distinctive at the point of the Great Schism in 1054, but

had been forming for hundreds of years via the dogma of "Papal Primacy" originally introduced by

Leo, then the head of the Church at Rome, who fought to establish Rome as the "primary see" and

its Bishop as the "primal Papacy" (which of course at the time, was none other than himself!) He

would emerge from this contested ecumenical council as "Pope Leo", the first to be referred to by

that title with the meaning of "Primal Papal Office". This office would be further solidified in the

west by the combination of church and state with the Pope appointing Kings and emperors and

Kings and emperors influencing who would be "Pope". The office of "Pope" would begin to be

authoritatively enforced under Pope Gregory the Great (c.AD 600) and the iron-fisted reign of the

popes would start to wane with the introduction of the Waldensians (earliest reformers) and the

office would become a laughing stock in the Christian world with the "Great Papal Schism" of the

14th century where the Roman Catholic church had THREE Popes at once - none of which wanting

to give up their authority!

C. Eastern Orthodox - Eastern Byzantine empire - began forming alongside the "Roman Church"

with the division of the Roman Empire into east and west. The Eastern church - primarily Greek and

North African, spoke a different language, enjoyed a different culture, and eventually held to a

different governance ecclesiology over time. The emphasis of the primacy of see of Rome and its

Bishop as possessing chief papal authority (Pope) the Eastern Orthodox Church had already begun to

operate independently of Rome. The final spark occurred with the addition of the filioque (from the

Son) to the Nicene Creed which led to sharp criticism of the Roman Church with Patriarch Michael

Cerularius accusing Pope Leo IX of overstepping his authority. The Pope was incensed and sent

Cardinal Humbert to deliver a Papal Bull excommunicating Cerularius. Cerularius in turn,

excommunicated Cardinal Humbert, AND Pope Leo IX who sent him. Both East and West churches

emerged separate and distinct and have not rejoined since. This has come to be known as the "Great

Schism" of 1054 AD. However it should be called the Great Schism of the 3rd - 11th centuries!

D. Protestant (Four Family 'sub' groups) - A term used to describe those Christians who sought to

"reform" the Roman Catholic Church. Contrary to popular misnomer, the word did not arise as a

result of "protesting" the Pope or the Roman Catholic Church. Rather, the etymology of "Protestant"

is tied to a group of German princes, civic centers, and authorities all of whom voiced their dissent

from the Diet of Speyer which was decidedly against Luther reforms. It has since come to be known

as a term for "anti papist" groups and although it primarily referred to German reformers (Lutherans)

and the term "Reformed Churches" referred to Swiss and French reformers, the term protestant has

today come to represent all denominations besides the Roman Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, and

Eastern Orthodox denominations.

1. Pre-Reformers - These are the groups of believers which broke from Roman Catholic

oppression prior to Luther's German Reforms

a. Waldensians - Founded by Peter Waldo, perhaps the earliest of all true reformers. Waldo decried

the lavish lifestyle of monks and priests amidst the squalor of the common people. He petitioned

for the Scriptures to be translated from Latin (educated tongue) to French - the language of the

common people. He also believed in preaching in the common language as well. The Roman

Catholic Church for some strange reason believed that all masses should only be "said" in Latin

language which most common people could not understand. Waldo also believed in personal

evangelism. His efforts would earn him infamous hatred and notoriety that would dog his

followers, the Waldensians, for centuries BEYOND the great reformation! The Waldensians are

perhaps the most persecuted Christian denomination in Church history, mostly due to their

challenge of the Roman Catholic Pope's authority.

b. Moravians or Unity of the Brethren - began by secret small study groups formed by John Hus,

the Czech pre-reformer - originally called "Hussites", they closely mirrored the reform teachings

of John Wycliffe who died prior to Hus' martyrdom at the hands of the Roman Catholic faith.

Half of the "Hussites" or "Unity of the Brethren" fled the persecution of Czechoslovakia to

join the Moravians - both groups are still in existence today.

2. Lutheran - started by Martin Luther and although some Lutheran pastors have left to join or

start other movements, Lutherans have tended to produce other varieties of Lutherans but there

have been no other significant denominations that broke from the Lutheran tradition and

subsequently trace their roots to Luther. This can be considered a credit to Lutheran unity.

3. Anglican - Began as a state issue and not a doctrinal issue, King Henry VIII "seceded" from

Roman Papal authority, declaring himself as "Head of Church and State". The Church of England

would endure hardship at the hands of the Roman Catholic Mary Stuart or "Bloody Mary" but

eventually, reformers like Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and compromiser

Elizabeth I would bring about distinction for this Christian family. Most denominations trace

their roots to this branch: Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc.

4. Reformed - A large number of denominations consider the Reformed church as their historical

foundation: Presbyterians, Amish, Evangelical Free, and Christian and Missionary Alliance.

The Original Christian Church 30 A.D.

This is the root from which all of the denominations,

listed below, had emerged. The earliest Christian church

was established by Jesus Christ and richly developed by

His disciples and especially the Apostle Paul's missionary

journeys. It began as a Jewish sect and its members were

referred to as "Followers of The Way". Which was based

primarily on Jesus' own words in John 14:6 "I AM the way

the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by

Me”. In the book of Acts, the Bible reports that these

"Followers" were called "Christians" for the first time in Antioch. It was a derisive term which

meant "little Christs". The name given in derision was a perfect fit for what true Christianity

represented: being a smaller version i.e. representative or imitator of Christ, so the name was a hit

among Christians and it stuck. As with all sects that grow in size, worldwide presence, and widely

differing and independent doctrine from the "Mother" faith, Christianity ceased to be considered a

Jewish sect (mostly by the declarations of the Jews to the Roman authorities) and the Christian faith

became known as its own world religion. Similararly divisions over theological and liturgical

practices would see this young sect emerge as a world religion in its own right. Similar paths from

"sect" to "world religion" took place among the Buddhists, Jainists, and Sikhs.

Contrary to popular belief, Christians hold that the "true"

church is not a building, nor does it necessarily pertain to a specific group of attendees, but is

comprised of those who have trusted in Jesus of the Bible for the forgiveness of their sins and

subsequently look to Him as the author and giver of life and life eternal.

To get a more well-rounded definition of church and religion here we have a quick contrast

between a Christian Biblical versus the secular understanding:

A. Definitional Compare and Contrast of Church and Religion

1. Biblical – Matthew 16:18-19 – “this” rock – Peter’s testimony

a. “this” rock (not on Peter the man)

b. Gates of Hell will not prevail

c. Keys to the kingdom - elements to gain ‘entry’

d. Binding and loosing - speaks of doctrine not demons.

B. Essentials vs Non-essentials - From Heresy to Apostasy

1. Essentials - Affects Justification, Sanctification & Glorification

a. God’s Triunity: Trinity

b. Theanthropos – Deity/Humanity of Jesus

c. Person of the Holy Spirit

d. Christ’s Virgin Birth

e. Human Depravity: Nature of Man

f. Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection

g. Salvation: Grace alone, faith alone in Christ alone

h. Christ’s Sinlessness

i. Christ’s Atonement

j. Christ’s 2nd coming; final judgement

2. Non-Essentials - Affects Sanctification and Glorification

a. Papal Authority

b. Transubstatiation

c. Eternal Security of the Believer

d. Water Baptism – methods, etc

e. Eschatological elements - Rapture, Millenialism

f. Gifts of the Spirit

g. Soteriology - doctrine of salvation - Calvinism (predestination) vs. Arminianism (man's choice) vs.

Molinism (best possible world)

C. Proprerties Of The Early Church:

1. Decentralized

2. Loosely organized

3. Participant driven

D. Scriptural Records Of The Early Christian Church

1. The Christian assembly usually met in private homes for worship and

instruction(Acts 2:46; 16:40; 18:7; Philem. 1:2)

2. In commemoration of the resurrection, the congregation assembled on the "Lord's Day," the first

day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2)

3. New Testament suggests that Christian worship incorporated singing of hymns and psalms (Eph.

5:19), prayer (1 Cor. 11:4-5), vocal thanksgiving (Eph. 5:20; Heb. 13:15), and instruction (1 Cor.

14:26; Col. 3:16).

E. Historical Records Of The Early Christian Church

1. Justin Martyr (c.151 AD) ANF: Vol. I, First Apology of Justin, Chapter 67

a. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place

(Renders the claims by Seventh Day Adventists that "Saturday" is the proper day of worship, a bit

untenable).

b. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits

c. When the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these

good things.

d. Then we all rise together and pray.

e. When our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like

manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying

Amen.

f. There is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and

to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.

g. They who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited

with the president, who succors the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any

other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and

in a word takes care of all who are in need.

h. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on

which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ

our Savior on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of

Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared

to His apostles and disciples.

D. Development of Centralization

1. Constantine and the Edict of Milan - Declared ALL religions legal to practice • Contrary to

common misnomer - this did NOT declare Christianity to be the official "state" religion of Rome.

That would not happen until the Emperor Theodosius' decree several years later.

2. 7 ecumenical councils and notable heresies - All gave clarity - none solved problems.

a. Nicaea – called by Constantine – 325 – 318 Bishops

condemned Arianism - Christ-a created being and therefore subordinate

Consubstantiality of Christ with the Father (Deity of Jesus)

Nicene Creed – codified Christian orthodoxy

official observance of Easter on Sunday

b. Constantinople – called by Theodosius I – 381 – 186 Bishops

Condemned Apollonarius who claimed that Jesus had “divine” and not “human” spirit. –

removing Christ’s humanity.

Consubstantiality of the Holy Spirit with Father, Son “proceeds from the Father”; Not subordinate

upheld the “rulings” of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed

Constantinople - 2nd See behind Rome

Christ is human as well as divine

c. Ephesus – called by Theodosius II (son)- 431 – over 200 Bishops

Mary called – Theotokos (Mother of God) to affirm Jesus Deity • Has been misused to venerate

Mary to level of sub-deity

Nestorius, bishop of Constantinople condemned by Cyril of Alexandria • Nestorius denied Jesus’

divine nature was truly unified with his humanity, Mary gave birth to humanity of Jesus only; no

theotokos! • Nestorian followers joined the Assyrian Church of the East which held the same

views and still exists today – near Baghdad.

Jesus 2 natures in 1 person - “blended” in perfect unity of one person upheld as orthodox –

theanthropos

d. Chalcedon – Emperor Marcion & Leo, Bishop of Rome 451 AD – 600 Bishops

i. Condemned Monophysitism of Eutyches – Christ had one ‘fused’ nature, previously condemned

for teaching Jesus had ‘one’ nature

ii. 28th Canon declared Constantinople as an equal See to Rome.

iii. Reversed a decision which proclaimed Constantinople on an equal

level of authority as Rome, ecclesiastically. – Leo declared his own See and his successors there

as the primary See and being in direct Petrine line of papal primacy. The term “Pope” possibly

first used for Leo.

iv. Further defined Christ as 1 person in 2 natures

v. Codified canon law for discipline and organizational methods

e. Constantinople II - Eastern Emperor Justinian I - 553 AD

i. Condemned - Theodore of Mopsuestia - Nestorian teaching

ii. Monothelitism entertained - Jesus two natures and one divine will; Further condemned

iii. Monophysitism - 1 nature, divine, not two.

f. Constantinople III - Called by Constantine IV - 680 AD - over 200 Bishops

i. Called in response to rise in Islam

ii. Monothelitism now condemned by "Pope" Leo II - would diminish Christ's humanity (how can

He be tempted as we are if his will is divine? violates Scripture)

iii. Diothelitism officially affirmed-2 natures 2 wills perfect unity

g. Nicaea II - 787 AD (Media - Paul Icon; 12th century Icon)

i. Iconoclast Controversy- (icon - image; clast - destroy) Use of Christian "art" or images

statuettes, the cross, etc had been used as teaching tools to a largely illiterate people for 700 years

prior. But such artwork was never venerated or revered.

• Pictures of Jesus "unlawful" by Eusebius 400 years earlier.

• Some began "kissing", revering, or bowing down to these icons.

• The western church claimed they were just giving reverence to what/whom the icons stood for.

Pagans saw this as an identical worship practice as their own and struggled to convert.

• In the East - Muslims accused Christians of idolatry due to icons

• Emperor Leo III and Eastern Bishops looked to destroy icons and in 730 ordered all images

removed from Christian churches.

• John, Bishop of Damascus, stated that God is in the icons as much as Christ is in the Lord’s

Supper. -This led to his removal as Bishop by Emperor Leo III

• This controversy would continue for another 300 years and was largely an "Eastern" church

issue as the majority of Eastern Churches supported the use of icons - Popes Gregory I and II

opposed the Byzantine Emperor & issued anathemas against them

ii. 4 stages of Organization– Phillip Schaff vol. 2 - organization and discipline of the early church

a. The apostolic organization of the first century

b. The old Catholic episcopal system

c. Metropolitan Church System

d. Patriarchal Church System

• Here the Greek Church stopped, and is governed to this day by a hierarchical oligarchy of

patriarchs equal in rank and jurisdiction

a. The distinction of clergy and laity

b. The sacerdotal view of the ministry becomes prominent and fixed

c. Subordinate church offices are multiplied

d. The episcopate arises

e. The beginnings of the Roman primacy appear

f. The exclusive unity of the Catholic Church develops itself in opposition to heretics and

schismatics.

Coptic Christians (Egyptian Oriental Orthodox) 451 A.D.

Perhaps the most amazing, strong, and devout followers of

Christ on the earth. Just as the Waldensians are the most persecuted of all protestant denominations,

the Coptic Christians of Egypt are the most persecuted of ALL Christian denominations, period.

Founded by John-Mark (author of the "Gospel of Mark") in the first century A.D., this church

flourished under the authority of the Eastern Church (later to become the Eastern Orthodox church

in 1054). At the council of Chalcedon, when the Western "Roman" church began to over reach its

authority. This little group of believers was wrongly accused of monophysitism (the Christology that

claims that Jesus has one combined nature of God and man). Nothing could be further from the truth

as their own creed of faith clearly states that they hold to one Divine nature and one Human nature

in perfect unity without mix which is essentially the orthodox position for all of historic biblical

Christianity.

They were persecuted by the Western Church (early Roman Catholicism), abandoned by the Eastern

Church, and eventually persecuted by the Muslims with heavy taxation, beatings, and martyrdom.

Were it not for a letter to Mohammed to "spare the Copts as they are your 'kin;" The Coptic

Christians would have possibly been driven out or worse, wiped out. But they survived and still exist

today and are constantly in the news for all of the atrocities that the Muslim Brotherhood inflict upon

them. They come under heavy persecution and have had survive almost 1500 years of constant

attack.

This church is the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy that an

"altar would be built in the midst of Egypt" and a "pillar placed" - The Coptic Christians are both an

altar to the Lord and have had to be a pillar to His glory for 15 centuries!

Eastern Orthodox Church - 1054 A.D.

The Orthodox Church is not a Protestant Church at all. It began as simple a

geo-political region of the existing worldwide church (latin term "catholic"

not to be confused with "Roman Catholic"). The Orthodox Church became

its own distinct entity as a result of the following events which occurred over

the course of about 700+ years:

A. Early Schisms – Nestorian, Non-Chalcedonian

1. Nestorian Christology

2. Non-Chalcedonians – Egypt, Syria, Armenia, Mesopotamia

a. Christ unified in His nature and subsequent person.

b. Ecthesis – Monothelitist compromise for Christianity

i. Sergius – Patriarch of Constantinople

ii. Severinus, John IV – Popes condemning Ecthesis

iii. Heraclius – Eastern Emperor promoting Ecthesis

B. Empire Division – separate authorities of state and of church

1. Diocletian – 280 AD divided empire into East and West

C. Cultural Division – c.f. when the Gospel was taken to the “Greeks”

1. Languages – Latin v Greek

2. Customs – Rome = legal mindset; Greece = philosophical mindset

3. Challenges – Muslims capture Mediterranean; Barbarians capture Italy, Europe

D. Council of Chalcedon

1. Constantinople declared equal to Rome – highly opposed – reversed

2. Leo – fought for the primacy of Roman papacy – term “Pope” came into use as

designator of papal primacy.

E. Iconoclastic Controversy – icon = image; clast = destroy

1. Eastern Emp. Leo III – 730 AD declared veneration of icons illegal, destroying

them and attacking Bishops and Arch Bishops who supported icons

2. West – Pope Gregory III – Synod – condemned iconoclasts and sent an envoy to

excommunicate them. They were arrested by Byzantine authorities

3. Irene – mother of East. Emp. Constantine VI asked Pope Hadrian I to convene a

council in 787 to address the issue – (7th ecumenical council) where the practice of iconoclasm was

officially condemned.

4. Orthodox churches everywhere celebrate iconoclastic defeat 1st Sunday of Lent

F. Papal Primacy vs Power of the State - 860 – 870 AD

1. Ignatius – Patriarch of Constantinople – Confronted Caesar Barda, the uncle of

Eastern Emperor Michael III and was removed from the patriarchy by him.

2. Photius – relative of Michael was appointed to the post and this appointment

was opposed by Pope Nicholas I. Officially deposed at 8th ecumenical council and this was

accepted even by the Eastern Orthodox

3. Pope Nicholas I deposed Photius and reinstated Ignatius. Photius then moved to

have the Pope excommunicated based on the grounds of the filioque, papal primacy, and the

Bulgarian jurisdiction.

4. Basil the Macedonian, the new Byzantine emperor deposed Photius yet again

in an effort to curry alliance with the Latin pope and Western Emperor

5. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne, a Frankish King, as Emperor in 800 AD –

considered an “intruder” by the East, he was not accepted by Byzantine and the appointment was

considered an insult to them

G. Filioque - Latin for “and the Son” – originally to defend consubstantiality of Jesus w/ Father

1. Tertullian – 216 AD The Spirit proceeds from the Father THROUGH the Son as

“fruit is the third from the root of a tree” Against Praxeas, 4:1

2. Taught by St. Augustine of Hippo in 408: “if the Son has of the Father whatever He

has, then certainly He has of the Father, that the Holy Spirit proceeds also from Him.” - On the

Trinity, XV: 26, 47

3. Spanish Church council of Toledo 587 added filioque to the creed first

4. Charlemagne petitioned Pope Leo III to add filioque and was soundly refused.

5. Added to Nicene Creed by Pope Benedict VIII 1024 AD but did not appear in

official liturgy for several years

II. The Great Schism

A. Pope Leo IX – Pope of Catholic Church – fought against Normans in 1052 taken captive

1. Suppressed Greek liturgy in his domain

2. Sent legate Cardinal Humbert to give evidence from Constantine’s “donatio” that Rome held

primal papacy. It was refused by Celularius

3. Cardinal Humbert laid Papal Bull of Excommunication on altar of Hagia Sophia

B. Michael Cerularius – Archbishop of Constantinople

1. Suppressed Latin liturgy in his domain

2. Refused Popes envoy demanding his recognition of the supremacy of Rome

3. Excommunicated Humbert from the Eastern Church (Leo IX was already dead)

III. Final Nail(s) in the Coffin

A. Massacre of the Latins – 1182 Constantinople orthodox populace killed or sold the

Latin population into slavery to the Turks

1. Latin widow of Eastern Emperor Manuel I, ruled as regent and was hated

2. Andronikos Komnenos “liberated” Constantinople and the celebration turned to

violence against the Latins – murders of young, old, clergy commenced.

B. 4th Great Crusade – 1202-1204 1. Pope Innocent III – wanted to free Jerusalem from Saladin’s

rule

2. Began as a “commercial” venture to repay dept to Venetians by killing Muslims

3. Innocent III forbade violence by the Crusaders against their Christian brothers

4. Desecrated Hagia Sophia – something even the Muslims would not do.

IV. Orthodox Expansion – 863 Cyril and Methodius evangelize the Slavs

A. Moravian - Cyrillic alphabet invented to create written Slavic language (still used today)

B. Bulgarian – 864 – Khan Boris adopts Orthodox faith and the Bulgarian nation follows

C. Russian – 988 – Prince Volodymyr (Vladimir) of Kievan Rus accepts Orthodox faith –

• 1794 Sent missionaries to Alaska, established first Orthodox Church in N America

* 125 million Russian Orthodox today

D. Armenian Orthodox – Armenia adopted Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD

1. Claims apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus as its founders (not St. Gregory)

2. St Gregory The Illuminator evangelized Armenia in 301 AD – 1st patriarch

3. Persecutions in Armenia 110, 230, & 287 are reported by Tertullian & Eusebius

E. Greek Orthodox – name “Greek” coined circa 10th century under nationalism vs Islam

• continues to be “primary” see of Orthodox faith – 18 million today

F. Serbian Orthodox – 870 AD – possibly by missionaries sent by Cyril and Methodius

• 11.5 million Serbian Orthodox today

Roman Catholic Church - 1054 A.D.

(Great Schism 1054 AD) The word “Catholic”

simply means “worldwide” and indeed the first

organized group of Christian churches were

worldwide. During the early years of Christianity,

there weren’t denominations and therefore no

need to refer to a church by a particular tag:

Lutheran, Catholic, etc. The Church was unified

and each congregation was generally denoted by

its geographic location. i.e. the church at Ephesus,

the church at Antioch, etc. Each region was led by

a Bishop. Over the course of nearly 600 years, a

small crack would slowly divide this single unified

church into two branches: The Roman Catholic branch and the Orthodox branch. Both branches

would claim to be the "true church" and would accuse the other of apostasy even up to the

twentieth century. Today, there are active ecumenical efforts to arrive at a peaceful, harmonious co-

relationship within the Body of Christ.

Writings of Ignatius and Iraneus (Against Heresies) would begin to extol the Apostle Peter as the

first Bishop of Rome and the preeminence of the Roman See over all other regions. The term

“Pope” which was derived from the Greek word “Papa” or “Pappas” was not used until the late

2nd and early 3rd centuries to denote the premier Bishop or “Father” over all Bishops. The idea of

an emerging, strong, and centrally governed church was taken even further by Augustine, a Bishop

of Hippo. Augustine believed a strong Church government was necessary for survival and

ultimately defeating heresy.

Unfortunately, this introduced abuse by the hierarchy of the governing church against those that

would question the unbiblical doctrines introduced by various church leaders. i.e. immaculate

conception and assumption of Mary, prayer to the saints as intermediaries, etc. John Hus, and

others would be labeled “heretics” and would be martyred for their boldness. To further assert

authority over the masses the doctrine of Papal Infallibility would be added to this list of errors.

Papal infallibility was introduced primarily (and surprisingly) by theologians like Theodore Abu-

Qurrah, Thomas Aquinas, and John Peter Olivi, and not by the Popes themselves, as many assert

today. During the Vatican I council in 1870, the dogma of the infallibility of the pope was officially

codified and is still preached and practiced today.

Waldensian Church - 1170 A.D.

Founded by Peter Waldo in Southern France and Northern Italy.

He was a contemporary of Francis of Assisi. Peter Waldo sought to put

the Scriptures into the common language of the people, preach to

people in a language they understand, and reform the obscenely

wealthy monasteries who drew money from poor and stockpiled it

(quite the opposite of the vision of Anthony - the first monk). This group

group of believers sought permission to establish an "order" of monks

but were rejected by the Pope Alexander III.

The Pope refused Waldo's request to establish an order and forbade

him to preach to people unless given permission by the local Bishop.

This, everyone knew, would never happen so effectively, the Pope

banned Waldo and his followers from preaching altogether. They

continued to share the true gospel of forgiveness of sins but then mixed it with good works in similar

fashion to the Roman Catholics at the time. The Waldensians also managed to translate at least part

of the Scriptures into French.

Eventually the Waldensians would reject the veneration of saints

(praying to dead Christians), the necessity of sacraments (an unscriptural practice thrown out during

the Reformation), they also refuted the unbiblical doctrines of purgatory (paying off sin debt after

death), and transubstantiation (the idea that the bread and wine at mass LITERALLY becomes flesh

and blood of Christ).

These reforms infuriated the hierarchy of the Roman Catholics and

Waldo and his followers were excommunicated by Pope Lucius III in 1184 and subsequently were

HEAVILY persecuted for the next 700 years! The Waldensians came out of hiding to be part of the

reformation and many of them joined Genevan Reformed movements of the time but this great little

pre-reformer group still exists today mostly in the same region of the world that they began -

southern France and Northern Italy. Along with the Anabaptists, this group has had to endure

tremendous hardship at the hands of false Christians claiming to be "of Christ" but whose works

showed they were/are not. The Waldensians did not gain full civil rights in Italy until 1870!

Unity of The Brethren Moravian Church 1457 A.D.

(John Hus 1410-15) The Unity of the Brethren actually pre-dates the

Lutheran movement in that it can trace its roots back to John Hus’

teachings prior to his execution in 1415 (Hus began a small secret

gathering of believers prior to this time). Hus was one of the early

15th century dissenters of Roman Catholic authority and as such, was

burned at the stake for his objections to the authority of the Pope.

Despite Hus’ martyrdom, the small group continued to practice apart

from Catholicism and enjoyed some growth long after Hus’ death. The

group officially formed as the Unity of the Brethren in 1457. The

Unity of the Brethren churches in the Czech lands actually acted as a

safe haven for the Anabaptists. Under intense persecution from the

Czech monarchy themselves, many of the UOB movement fled the country and eventually joined

the “Moravian” movement. The Unity of the Brethren and Moravian Churches have congregations

throughout the world today and both trace their roots to John Hus

Lutheran Church - 1517

Martin Luther 1517 A.D.) Martin Luther was a staunch

Catholic Monk that became fed up with the Catholic

practice of indulgences (donating to the Church in

order to relieve or remove a soul from purgatory).

Luther posted his 95 thesis on the Castle Door at

Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. Denouncing this and

other practices whereby the authority of the Church and

the Pope were seen to tread on the authority of God

Almighty and of the Believer.

Today, the liturgy would be considered “high

church” or “orthodox” in practice, however, in America there is a movement among many Lutheran

churches to provide a contemporary worship - with guitars, drums, and contemporary worship

music. Ultimately, the main differences between this and the Catholic church is the authority of

Scripture superseding the authority of the Pope and Catholic Church (both of which hold no

authority in the Lutheran Denomination), the absence of “Icons” (religious statues - often given a sort

of “mediator” status whereby they can receive honor and prayers on behalf of the Saint they (the

statues) represent.), Lutheran Ministers can marry, Salvation to the Lutheran is by Grace through

Faith as opposed to Sacramental observation and adherence to Church authority.

Reformed Church - 1522

(Switzerland 1522, Ulrich Zwingli) Broke from the

Catholic Church as a result of a sausage eating

event that was scheduled during a “holy fast”

decreed by the Catholic Church. It was from this

arguement that man is to obey “Divine Law” over

“Man’s Law” that the concept of Sola Scriptura

(Scripture Alone) was advanced. Zwingli, a

Catholic Priest, was a contemporary of Martin Luther and had a sharp division with Luther on the

meaning behind the Lord’s Supper.

Zwingli contended that when Jesus declared

“This is my Body, take from it and eat.” He was speaking symbolically of the bread and that the

Lord’s supper does a memorial as opposed to the Catholic (and to some extent Lutheran) understand

that the bread is transformed literally into Jesus body and the wine transformed into Jesus blood

(transubstantiation).

One of the most famous Reformers of all

time is a man named John Calvin from Geneva, France whose idea of double pre destination has

spurred theological debate regarding God’s role in the salvation of man, and man’s role in his own

salvation. From the Reformed Church came denominations known today as Presbyterian, Church of

Scotland, and Evangelical Free.

Anabaptists - Hutterites, Amish, and Mennonites - 1525 A.D.

(Founded in Switzerland by Georg Blaurock, Conrad

Grebel, and Felix Manz 1525) This movement began with

the birth of a baby to Conrad Grebel.

Even though, in Zurich there was reformation everywhere,

still Blaurock, Grebel, and Manz could not understand

how a baby could choose to be a member of a church

when all it could do was cry, eat, and dirty its diapers. This

line of thinking was considered rebellious in the eyes of

the newly reformed church and these three preachers were

ordered to stop such “heretical” teaching or leave Zurich.

Blaurock asked to be baptized in the apostolic manner and all others were baptized the same. They

were called the “Anabaptists” which means “re-baptizers” by their detractors. Indeed the preachers

did leave Zurich and met for the first time in a church free from government influence. The

Mennonites, Hutterites, and the Amish are all direct descendants of this group. The Anabaptist

belief emphasized: Sola Scriptura, Seperation of Church and State, Baptism of the Believer (not the

auto-infant sprinkintile), Freedom of Conscience, and Holiness of Life. It is this last tenant that gets a

little legalistic in that they flatly rejected Luther’s Salvation by Faith Alone in Christ alone and felt

that it did not emphasize the believer’s responsibility to live a holy life.

Church of England or Anglican Church – 1534

(Henry VIII 1534 A.D.) The Christian church

existed in England long before the Christian Church

throughout civilization became known as the

“Roman Catholic Church”. The patriarchal authors

and apologists Origen and Tertullian write of a

Christian contingency in the far isles of Breton.

Bishops from these small churches managed to

attend the councils of Arles and Rimini in 314 and

359 respectively. However, with the invasion of the pagan Germanic tribes - Angles, Saxons, and

Jutes, much of this small Christian establishment was disbursed or lost altogether until a mission

was sent from the Catholic church in 597. The Germanic Breton, soon to be called “England” or

“Land of the Angles” would be part of the Catholic Empire until the English Reformation of the

16thcentury.

The churches of the Anglican Communion have their historical beginning when King Henry VIII (r.

1509-1547) wished to obtain a divorce from Anne Boleyn that the pope would not grant. Seizing

upon the spirit of emancipation sparked by the boldness of Hus and Luther, the King of England

would make an historic proclamation. Through the Act of Supremacy of 1534, the king made

himself the "supreme head" of the Church of England in place of the Pope.

When Henry’s daughter, Mary Tudor, ascended the throne, she brought the English country back

into the Roman Catholic fold. By this time there were many in England that opposed the idea of

going back to papal authority and when they raised their voice in protest, many of them lost their

lives. This internal martyrdom earned Queen Mary the title of “Bloody Mary”.

In 1558, Mary grew ill and eventually died. Henry’s other daughter (under Anne Boleyn) Elizabeth

succeeded her and restored the Church of England as the official church for England, never to

return to Catholicism.

The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a Medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246

meaning the “English Church”. The liturgy of the Anglican Church closely resembles that of

Catholicism in that it is considered ‘high’ church or a church of orthodoxy.

Today, there is a move within the Anglican Church to

modernize worship and interaction resulting in a greater appeal to a younger generation in the UK.

Church of Scotland – 1560

(Founded 1560 in Scotland by a pupil of John Calvin named

John Knox) John Knox was a Catholic Priest that embraced the

teachingsof his friend and teacher, the Reformist John Calvin.

Constantly engaging the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots, in

debate, Knox was finally brought to trial whereby the Scottish

nobles acquitted him and ultimately deposed the Catholic

Queen. Thus setting up Presbyterianism in Scotland. Truly, the

Church of Scotland is a branch from the Catholic line that

joined with a branch from the Reformed Church line in a single man named John Knox. The Church

of Scotland is simply the Reformed or Presbyterian Church in Scotland.

Baptist Church - 1609 A.D.

(Founded by John Smyth in 1609) Started as a Puritan “Seperatist”

movement from the Church of England or Anglican Church in Lincolnshire

and then moved to Holland. With his colleague, Thomas Helwys chose to

be “Baptised” as adults into Christ.

Smyth then moved back to England and joined the Waterlander Mennonites

and was thereafter identified with the Radical Reformation movement. His

colleague Helwys was disillusioned with Smyth’s choice not to break with the past and Helwys

moved back to England and formed the first Baptist gathering on English soil in London in 1612. The

earliest Baptists can trace their roots to the teachings of John Wycliffe and were referred to as

General Baptists. They were staunchly Arminian in theology - making it a core belief that Christ died

for ALL and not just the Elect. However, approximately 30 years after Helwys return to England, a

branch of his Baptist congregations emerged with Calvinistic theology (Christ died only for the elect)

under the leadership of Richard Blunt, who went to Holland to confer with a group that stressed

baptism by total immersion. He returned to England and baptized himself and 53 others in like

manner. It is from this branch of Baptists that many of the American Baptists owe their Calvinistic

beginning.

Perhaps the most famous of Baptist preachers is John Bunyan (1628-1688) who was arrested on a

number of occasions in England for “preaching without a license”. Bunyan is responsible for writing

the second best-selling book in history called “Pilgrims Progress” - an allegory about the journey of

discipleship for the everyday Christian. Bunyan believed in water Baptism as a consenting Christian

but had a sharp disagreement with many in the Baptist movement in England over this same issue.

He refused to “make an idol” of Baptism and fully accepted any who were

pedobaptists (believed and practiced the baptism of infants) i.e. Presbyterians,

and other Calvinists of the day. This was sharply contested by two Baptist

leaders named Kiffin and Paul who contended that the Lord’s Supper should be

refused to any who practice the baptism of infants. Bunyan was not formally

educated, but like the disciples, he knew the Bible front to back better than any

of his time. Bunyan died in London in 1688 of a severe cold but Pilgrim’s

Progress remains a widely read primer on Christian discipleship to this day

Quakers - 1647 A.D.

Quakers (or Friends, as they refer to themselves) are members

of a family of religious movements collectively known as the

Religious Society of Friends. The central unifying doctrine of

these movements is the priesthood of all believers, a doctrine

derived from a verse in the New Testament, 1 Peter 2:9. Most

Friends view themselves as members of a Christian

denomination. They include those with evangelical, holiness,

liberal, and traditional conservative Quaker understandings of

Christianity. Unlike many other groups that emerged within

Christianity, the Religious Society of Friends has actively tried to avoid creeds and hierarchical

structures. In 2007 there were approximately 359,000 adult members of Quaker meetings in the

world. (Leicester, England - Founded by George Fox 1647) This movement, first called the Society

of Friends, broke from the “Puritan” movement within the Church of England and coincided with

the “Dissenters” movement of England. The term “Quaker” was a derisive term by the detractors of

the FRIENDS movement because some would “Quake” while preaching under the power of God.

They met with tremendous persecution by the Puritans and the Church of England which

eventually forced a great number of them to immigrate to the New World in 1656. Primarily they

settled in Pennsylvania, wherein Sir William Penn declared the colony to be a “safe haven” for

Quakers.

Brethren - 1709 A.D.

(Alexander Mack 1709) From the Anabaptists and Pietists in Schwarzenau,

Germany, in 1709 came a miller named Alexander Mack who, to express

outwardly, a new faith inwardly, along with 7 others asked to be baptized as

an adult (despite Anabaptist influence, they had only been baptized as

infants). This new group called themselves “Brethren”. This group is

distinctly different from the Unity of the Brethren/Moravian church which

was started under Hus and most closely resembles the now-defunct

Anabaptist denomination. Like most of the Reformed church offspring, the

Brethren are strongly evangelical with a solid adherence to Sola Scriptura.

Methodist Church 1738 A.D.

(Founded in London, England by John, and Charles Wesley

1738) Began as movement from within the Church of

England. John Wesley is quoted as saying, “The Church of

England has never had a more faithful son than I!”

However, they would apply a more Arminianist outlook on

the Anglican Churches’ 39 articles of Religion. Although the

brothers only traveled to America once, as missionaries in

1736, they quickly returned home, dejected and down about their experience. Then in 1738 they

both would have a “religious experience” whereby they were awakened and began to preach a

Christian lifestyle within the church, based on the “Methods” used by their grandmother. Thus

Methodism was born. The most prolific of speakers for this movement, was a pupil of the Wesley

brothers named George Whitefield. Whitefield was a thespian in his early years but came to preach

against the theater. It is Whitefield’s preaching in America that is responsible for the growth of the

largest Methodist population in the world. Whitefield drew large crowds wherever he preached and

was responsible for much of the growth of Methodism in Scotland as well.

Episcopalean Church – 1776 A.D.

The Episcopal Church (TEC), also called the Episcopal Church in the

United States of America (ECUSA), is the United States-based member

church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is divided into nine

provinces and has dioceses in the U.S., Taiwan, Micronesia, the

Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as the Convocation of

Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Navajoland Area Mission. The

Anglican Church had many congregations in the American colonies by

the 18th century, however, as tensions grew between the colonists and

mother England, Church of England pressure was exerted on the

American Anglican leaders to declare loyalty to England or be cut off. The

American Anglican pastorates chose the latter and formed the American

version of the Church of England known as Episcopalianism. Today, Anglicanism in America is

simply referred to as “Episcopalian”. If a member of the Anglican Church in England were to visit an

Episcopal church in American today, they would find the belief system and liturgy to be virtually the

same in most respects. Perhaps the accents would be a bit different.

Presbyterian Church

(Based on teachings of John Calvin) A denomination that arose from

the Reformed Church in Switzerland started by Zwingli and promoted

by John Calvin, whereby the method of church governance was by the

elders (presbyters) of the congregation. John Knox took the ideas of his

teacher John Calvin and brought Presbyterianism to Scotland. It was

embraced as the official Church of the State. The Presbyterians also

came to America in the 17th and 18th centuries with the Presbyterian

Synod of Philadelphia forming in 1716. and were influential in the

anti-slavery movement long before America was a nation. The only

active preacher during the Revolutionary war to sign the Declaration of Independence was a

Presbyterian named John Witherspoon. Probably the most dynamic leaders of Presbyterianism in

America were Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield who’s preaching is credited with sparking

“The Great Awakening”.

Perhaps the most famous of recent Presbyterian preachers

was the late Dr. D. James Kennedy who was famous for his daily radio broadcast, apologetics for

Christianity, and his desire to see Christians involved in making a difference politically.

Church of Christ

Ultimately, this movement was birthed as part

of the “Restoration Movement” in the late 18th

and early 19th centuries. Founded by a

Methodist preacher named James O’Kelly in

1793. O’Kelly sought to escape the control of

the Methodist church and broke away to form

a new group called the Republican Methodist

Church which, as it moved from Virginia, south

and west, the name was changed to the

“Christian Church”. O’Kelly in the southern

states was joined by a group of Baptist preachers, Abner Jones and Elias Smith, in New England who

shared his zeal to return to a “first century church” and they taught followers to scorn all of the

denominations or “creeds” formed by man and embrace the Bible, specifically the New Testament,

as the sole authority in life.

They believed in baptism for the believer and not

as infants, as did O’Kelly. Another group of early charismatic leaders/founders for the Church of

Christ were the Presbyterian ministers Barton Stone and the Scottish immigrant father-son team

Thomas and Alexander Campbell. With Methodist, Baptist, and now Presbyterian influence,

ultimately this group merged in Kentucky in the 1830s and to this day, rejects denominationalism

i.e. the “creeds of man” in favor of the Bible alone to pursue a more pure form of New Testament

Christianity. This group became the denomination known as the Church of Christ. One of the

unique characteristics of this denomination is the absence of a clear cut hierarchal structure among

its many churches. They seem to each exist to themselves and answer to no “main office” however;

they tend to share a common bond of doctrine, practice, and liturgy across the thousands of

churches around the world. A Church of Christ website (Not sure if it is THE Church of Christ

website) gives an explanation for this characteristic with the following statement:

We are undenominational and have no central

headquarters or president. The head of the church is none other than Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians

1:22-23). Each congregation of the churches of Christ is autonomous, and it is the Word of God that

unites us into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and his holy

Apostles, and not the teachings of man. We are Christians only!

United Church of Christ

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian

denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition, in historical

continuation of the General Council of Congregational Christian churches

founded under the influence of New England Puritanism." The

Evangelical and Reformed Church and the General Council of the

Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC.

These two denominations, which were themselves the result of earlier

unions, had their roots in Congregational, Christian, Evangelical, and

Reformed denominations. The UCC's 5,116 congregations claim 979,239

members, primarily in the United States. Those groups that did not merge

with the Stone, O’Kelly, and Campbell groups merged with the

Congregational Church, Evangelical, and Reformed church and then eventually emerged as the

denomination known as the United Church of Christ (UCC) in 1957. The UCC recounts their history

as follows:

The United Church of Christ came into being in 1957 with the union of two Protestant

denominations: the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches.

Each of these was, in turn, the result of a union of two earlier traditions. The Congregational

Churches were organized when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation (1620) and the Puritans of the

Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629) acknowledged their essential unity in the Cambridge Platform of

1648.

The Reformed Church in the United States traced its beginnings to congregations of German settlers

in Pennsylvania founded from 1725 on. Later, its ranks were swelled by Reformed immigrants from

Switzerland, Hungary and other countries.

The Christian Churches sprang up in the late 1700s and early 1800s in reaction to the theological

and organizational rigidity of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches of the time.

The Evangelical Synod of North America traced its beginnings to an association of German

Evangelical pastors in Missouri. This association, founded in 1841, reflected the 1817 union of

Lutheran and Reformed churches in Germany.

The UCC is considered by many to be the most liberal of all Christian denominations today. The

most famous of UCC current events is the Reverand Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of

Christ in Southside Chicago. He repeatedly preached tirades against the evils of all white people,

and the evils of the United States in particular. Wright considered the attacks of 9/11 to be some sort

of righteous punishment on an evil nation, “The chickens have come home to roost” is a direct

quote from a sermon given only 5 days after the horrific loss of life. His fanatical racist preaching of

this UCC minister would have gone largely unnoticed were he not the pastor for 20 years to a man

named Barrack Hussein Obama who would eventually be elected the 44th President of the United

States. Barrack Obama distanced himself from the preacher and left the Chicago church only after

the racist doctrine of his church was exposed by the mainstream media.

International Church of Christ

The Church of Christ is not to be confused with the

“International Church of Christ” (ICC or ICOC) which, as of

1993, is the new name for the “Boston Church of Christ”

disciple’s movement. The Boston Church of Christ was

founded by Kip Mckean of the Crossroads Church of Christ

movement in 1967, itself an offshoot of the mainline

Church of Christ. Unlike the mainline Churches of Christ

who do not have a “headquarters” per se, The ICC has a

main HQ location in Los Angeles called the Los Angeles

International Church of Christ. The ICC Disciples church takes the anti-denominationalism of the

early Church of Christ a step further, actually referring to the denominations as “sin”. There is a very

rigid and strict observance of McKean’s discipleship programs which borders on hyper-control and

legalism. The ICC believes in Baptism by immersion for salvation, a tenant of faith that has been

rejected by mainline Churches of Christ. However, aside from these somewhat unorthodox beliefs

and practices, the ICC adheres to the essentials of the Christian faith that would call for its inclusion

in the pale of orthodoxy.The ICC is considered by many in orthodox Christianity (including some

mainline Church of Christ leaders) to be a cult, others like the website CARM.org, simply consider it

to be orthodox in doctrine but problematic in its control over its believers and its belief to be the one

true restored church (cultic in behavior). I tend to agree with carm.org regarding the International

Church of Christ.

Holiness Churches

Primarily founded by Phoebe Palmer - born a Methodist, began to

earnestly seek God for direction in her life after losing her husband at a

young age. She felt directed to live a life of "holiness" as the Scriptures

instructed. She was a very early pioneer for women in ministry even as

teachers and leaders. She also built on John Wesley's teaching of

"Christian Perfectionism" whereby she began to proclaim that

sanctification (the process by which a Christian becomes more holy and

therefore, more like Christ) is possible to occur in a believer's life in an

instant as an event which would become known as a "second work of

grace" by faith in similar fashion to the salvation event. This was in stark

contrast to orthodox Christian belief regarding sanctification which states

that this necessary "process" of becoming holy in living like Christ is a

lifelong endeavor and not a single event.

The Holiness movement embraced the “camp meeting” style preaching of Charles G. Finney in

1867 (a major influence on Phoebe Palmer), this was a Methodist “revival” to return to the Wesleyan

sanctification process of “holiness” or “love”. It was comprised mostly of groups of believers that

rallied around holy living, scorning the pleasures of the world that might render a believer as

“unholy”: smoking, drinking, theater, etc. The Holiness churches soon became an entity unto

themselves, moving beyond the “Methodist Movement” by which they had previously been defined.

They were (and still are) Arminianist in theology, rejecting the predestination position of Calvinists

altogether and were great proponents of abolition, anti-slavery, and equal rights for women issues.

The Holiness Movement further spread overseas as Robert and Hannah Whitall Smith (Hannah

being the greater minister of the two) took Phoebe Palmer's teachings and written works to the UK

(and later DL Moody and Phoebe Palmer herself would visit as well) the UK version of this

movement is known as the "Keswick Holiness Movement" and is still a force for Christianity today

through a yearly Keswick convention.

The Holiness Movement was the forerunner for the last great movement of the reformation: the

Pentecostal Movement. Many great denominations came from Holiness churches: Salvation Army,

Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist Church, Church of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance,

and Foursquare International. Contrary to popular myth Holiness Churches are still in operation

today and tend to be more traditional evangelical in doctrine and liturgy and are not necessarily

“Pentecostal” in practice. c.f. Pentecostal-Holiness churches.

Seventh Day Adventists

Birthed by the teachings of a Deist turned Baptist preacher named

William Miller who began in 1831 to declare that the second coming of

Christ (The Advent) would occur sometime between 1843 and 1844. He

was soon joined by many congregants of the “Christian Connection”

(Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian groups that were the early

forerunners of the Church of Christ) and when, after the false prediction

of the “advent” bombed, William Miller faded into obscurity and his

followers, called “Millerites” shrank to only a few followers. In 1844, a

woman named Rachel Oakes Preston introduced the idea of the

Saturday Sabbath observance or the “Seventh Day”. This was quickly

accepted by the small group that included James and Ellen White. An

alliance was formed with other disillusioned “Millerite” groups in the region and in 1860 this sparse

group settled on the name “Seventh-day Adventist”. In 1863, the movement became an official

organization.

Salvation Army

Founded in London by a Methodist street preacher named

William Booth in 1865.

Booth was dissatisfied with what he felt was an all too

traditional approach to evangelism and he set out to form a

group of evangelical street preachers with a focus to bring the

poor, thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards to a saving

knowledge of Jesus Christ. He preached hope and salvation

with intent to connect them with a church where they could be

discipled. A printer called his growing group a “volunteer army”. When Booth saw this in print, he

crossed out “volunteer” and replaced it with “salvation”. This group is theologically akin to the

Arminianist Methodist movement of the day. It has grown to a worldwide membership and has

become most well known for charitable work.

Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA)

Discovered by AB Simpson in 1887 (conflicting reports). Simpson

became a Presbyterian minister in 1873 and after several years in

Louisville and New York, he left the Presbyterian Denomination and

began preaching what he called the “Fourfold Gospel” which is the

codification of Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.

This Fourfold Gospel was adopted by the Assemblies of God and then

was used as a cornerstone to the founding of the Foursquare Gospel

Pentecostal movement a couple decades later. Simpson had a

significant influence on the Pentecostal movement but after Simpson’s

death in 1919, the movement dissociated itself largely from

Pentecostalism and the doctrine of speaking in tongues as proof of the

baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Christian and Missionary Alliance movement would not “officially”

become a denomination until 1974, but as with most major movements, by virtue of the

membership and number of worldwide churches, they would have been considered a denomination

long before they considered themselves one. CMA has a strong emphasis on Global evangelism that

dates all the way back to Simpson’s outreach to the African Congo in the late 19th century.

Whereas they are no longer considered “Pentecostal” they are considered a

solid evangelical denomination adhering to the essentials of the Christian

faith with an emphasis on living it out daily. Perhaps the most well known

CMA preacher was A.W. Tozer who was both an author and Christian

theologian. His books “Knowledge of the Holy” and “The Pursuit of God”

are still incredibly influential and even instrumental in Christian discipleship

across most denominations.

Church of the Nazarene

Birthed from the Holiness Movement as a merger of 7 Holiness and/or Pentecostal denominations in

1907-08: the Central Evangelical Holiness Association (New England), the Association of Pentecostal

Churches of America (Middle Atlantic States), New Testament Church of Christ (South), Independent

Holiness Church (Southwest), the Church of the Nazarene (West Coast), the Pentecostal Church of

Scotland, and the Pentecostal Mission (Southeast).

It was founded primarily by a Methodist minister named Phineas F. Bresee, who pastored a

“Nazarene” church in 1895 and Pentecostal Missions leader Hirum F. Reynolds. The theology of this

Nazarene offshoot from The Holiness Movement greatly resembled, and still resembles, Wesleyan

Methodist theology in that it is Arminian in regards to man’s free will and salvation and that

Sanctification is a separate event from justification. The Church of the Nazarene position on

sanctification is a bit peculiar compared to many Christian denominations in that sanctification is

believed it to be, although separate, a one-time event and not necessarily a process.

The Pentecostal influence still remains with the liturgy of this denomination in the form of anointing

with oil, laying on of hands for healing, and other practices of the gifts, However, the gift of tongues

is not necessarily practiced in the vast majority of Nazarene churches. In fact, they are most often

said to resemble a Methodist liturgy more than anything else.

One of the most famous members of the Church of the Nazarene is a radio minister named Dr

Charles Dobson. He conducts a conservative Christian radio program called “Focus on The Family”,

and is regarded as a sound leader of the church on the whole regarding matters of the family and

possesses inter-denominational influence and respect within the Christian Community.

Church of God

There could be a denominational family tree just for the

Church of God alone that would nearly rival the size of the

entire Christian Denominations tree. There is a Church of

God founded in Tennessee, A splinter Church of God

(Jerusalem Acres) a splinter from that splinter called the

Church of God for All Nations. There is a branch called

Church of God prophecy and a splinter from that group

called Church of God with Signs Following. There is a related denomination called the Church of

God in Christ or COGIC and an unrelated Church of God that is non-pentecostal and headquartered

in Anderson, IN. I will keep the differentiations brief of the major 3: Church of God (Cleveland, TN),

Church of God in Christ, and the Indiana-based Church of God.

Church of God - Indiana Based

Founded in Anderson, IN in 1881 by Daniel S.

Warner and others who sought to do away with

denominational hierarchies and formal creeds. In

government, this Church of God is primarily

congregational and Wesleyan-influenced in

doctrine. It is an Armenian denomination with a

devotion to the idea of holiness and sanctification of

Methodism. Whereas the Church of God (Indiana)

shares the same name as a few other Church of God denominations it is unrelated to, and does not

share the Pentecostal practices of, either the Holiness birthed Church of God (Cleveland, TN), or the

Pentecostal Church of God in Christ.

Church of God - Cleveland, TN

Church of God is a name used by numerous, mostly unrelated

Christian denominational bodies, most of which descend from

Pentecostal, Holiness, 7th Day Baptist and Adventist traditions. The

largest denomination with this name is the Pentecostal Church of

God (Cleveland, Tennessee) with over seven million members in

over 170 countries. This Church of God denomination was founded

in 1886 (oldest American Pentecostal denomination) in a small

meeting house on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. As

with other denominational beginnings, a small group opted to begin

their own movement rather than reform the churches of which they

were a part. They were birthed from the Holiness movement of the

late 19th century this small group has grown to a worldwide

membership of 6 million today.

Church of God in Christ - (COGIC)

Founded by a Baptist Preacher in Jackson,

Mississippi, named Charles Harrison Mason in

1896. CH Mason, along with his closest

companions, began to preach a dogmatic form

of sanctification as an “event” and not a

“process” as the historical Biblical Christian

denominations had taught. In 1897, due to this

sanctification teaching, Mason was shut off from

the Baptist church and then organized his small

groups in the Church of God. In that same year,

Mason, basing his decision on I Thessalonians

2:14 in the Bible would officially change the name of his movement to Church of God in Christ to

differentiate it from other churches at the time calling themselves Church of God. Outside of the

sanctification error, this denomination holds to Biblically-based belief structure. Today, this is a

staunchly Pentecostal denomination that teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit will be

evidenced by speaking in tongues.ll COGIC reports 5.2 million adherents, near doubling in the 25

years.

Although the central focus of COGIC was sanctification by the one-time outpouring of the Holy

Spirit, Mason and COGIC were not Pentecostal or charismatic in practice whatsoever. This would

happen 10 years later when at a meeting in Los Angeles led by WJ Seymour in 1907; CH Mason

would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues on a regular basis.

Mason’s new-found Pentecostalism did not bode well with his fellow COGIC leaders and there was

an attempt to shut him out of the movement altogether. Mason called a meeting of all his leaders

who believed in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the re-organized Pentecostal Denomination

called Church Of God In Christ was born.

Assemblies of God

Pentecostal - A major outgrowth of the Holiness churches started

with the Pentecostal teaching of Charles Parham as a result of an

“outpouring of The Holy Spirit” whereby congregants began

spontaneously speaking in tongues in 1901 at a church in Topeka,

KS. From Charles Parham came a student by the name of William J

Seymour who founded the Azusa Street Revival, another

Pentecostal outpouring in 1906 at an old Faith Mission in Los

Angeles, CA. Again, the congregation began speaking in tongues (a

gift of the Holy Spirit to believers) spontaneously, resulting in a

widespread revival of sorts.

A gathering of church delegates from independent churches, Association of Christian Assemblies,

Church of God in Christ and in Unity with the Apostolic Faith Movement, met in Hot Springs,

Arkansas in 1914 to bring about greater organization and accountability to this new Pentecostal

movement. Immediately, this young AG movement found itself confronted with the decision of

whether or not to accept the heresy known as “modalism” (God is not Triune but One revealed as a

different Person or ‘mode’ over time - OT times - Father, Early ministry of Jesus - He is no longer

“Father” but “Son” to us all, at Pentecost - God is no longer known as son but is now to be related to

as “Holy Spirit”). This “Oneness” theology is embraced even to this day by the Oneness Pentecostal

cult.

Fortunately, the Assemblies of God in their infancy were

wise enough to reject this error and affirm the sound,

Biblical doctrine of a Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit - One God in three persons. Today, the Assemblies

of God claim to have 2.8 million adherents across

12,300+ churches. There wasn’t a clear cut “founder” as

this was a delegation of several churches. The first

Chairman/ General Superintendent elected by the first AG

council was a man named Eudorus N. Bell.

Foursquare Church - (International Church of Foursquare Gospel)

Officially founded in 1927 by Aimee Semple McPherson - Aimee

Semple McPherson was raised by parents actively involved in the

Salvation Army denomination. McPherson claimed to have been

born again as the result of the preaching of her first husband

Robert Semple. Little is known about Mr. Semple except that he

was a Pentecostal preacher that died in 1910, leaving Aimee a

widow. It is safe to say that at the time of her conversion (1907-

1908), the prominent Pentecostal movement at the time was

through Charles Parham, a Holiness Pentecostal preacher in

Topeka, KS, whose methodology of preaching was in the manner

of "tent revivals", the same manner of preaching adopted by

Robert Semple and, eventually, his wife and ministry partner, Aimee Semple. Although Aimee was

raised in the Salvation Army church, it was clearly the Robert Semple's discipleship and influence

via the Holiness Pentecostal movement that shaped the early years of Aimee's Christian life and

eventually the Foursquare Movement she would found.

Robert Semple died shortly after his marriage to Aimee, while on a short term mission to China.

Aimee Semple McPherson returned to the U.S., remarried, and continued to travel and preach in

tent revivals. She divorced her second husband, Harold McPherson, and in 1918, she settled in Los

Angeles, again went on the revival tent preaching circuit for 5 years and returned to Los Angeles to

build Angelus Temple. She then founded a radio station and established herself as the first woman to

regularly preach the Gospel via mass communication. She also established L.I.F.E. Bible College to

disciple Christians for a life of Ministry. LIFE Bible College is still the primary college of the

Foursquare Denomination to this day.

The Foursquare Denomination is

Pentecostal/Charismatic without the necessary

dogma of other Pentecostal denominations like

Assemblies of God, Church of God, etc. The

Foursquare Gospel was not founded by Aimee

Semple McPherson; she was just the founder

of this denomination that calls itself by the

foursquare concept. The “Foursquare” Gospel

is a derivative of AB Simpson’s “Fourfold Gospel” with the four pillars being:

1. Jesus Christ the Saviour

2. Jesus Christ Baptizer in The Holy Spirit (‘Sanctifier’ in the “Fourfold” of Christian

Missionary Alliance-a doctrine that often times resembled a one-time event like the

Pentecostal “Baptism of the Holy Spirit)

3. Jesus Christ the Healer

4. 4. Jesus Christ the Soon Coming King

Many Pentecostal denominations had already adopted and preached this Foursquare derivative of

Simpson’s “Fourfold” gospel, including the Assemblies of God, by the time that the Foursquare

Movement had been made official in 1927. In the early days, this denomination was wrongly

accused of being a “cult” due, partly, to its flamboyant founder, but mostly because of the

charismatic theology and practice. It is, however, quite orthodox and Biblically centred with the

majority of its congregations being charismatic in practice.

Today, there are a purported 30,000 Foursquare Churches with

approximately 7 million members. This group carries a strong

missions emphasis and a decidedly de-emphasis of uniform liturgy.

The denomination is officially Pentecostal/Charismatic but the de-

emphasis of set liturgy could mean that many Foursquare Churches

are, like Calvary Chapel, Pentecostal in theology only but not in

practice. This can be freeing for some congregations to worship in

the manner they are accustomed to (i.e. non-charismatic, etc) but can

be challenging for members of other Foursquare churches who are

looking to worship in a charismatic church (tongues, prophecy, etc)

but have no idea what to expect when entering a particular Foursquare church.

Evangelical Free Church (EV Free)

(Swedish/Danish Evangelical Free earliest preacher of note: Fred Edquist in 1882, American EFCA

founded by merger in 1950) Began with a 1950 merger between the Evangelical Free Church of

America (Swedish) and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association. The Swedish

group had its formal beginnings in Boone, Iowa, at a conference held in October of 1884. Although,

there is historical evidence that a Swedish preacher named Fred Edquist began preaching in

McKeesport, PA 2 years earlier and named his church the first Swedish Evangelical Free Church.

Also in 1884, two Norwegian-Danish groups began to worship and fellowship together in Boston,

Massachusetts and Tacoma, Washington. Ultimately, the Evangelical Free Church can trace its roots

back to the Church of Sweden which is the state-recognized Reformed Church of Sweden. In the

18th and 19th centuries, strict religious regulation inhibited the free practice of religion by many and

many of those that did not adhere to the Church of Sweden liturgy, immigrated to America and

began to set up churches “free” of government control, as in the case of Fred Edquist.

As a result of the EVFCA’s direct lineage to the Reformed Church, they are decidedly “Calvinist” in

their theology and adhere to Sola Scriptura, Salvation by Faith alone through Grace in Christ Alone.

Calvary Chapel Churches

Founded by Chuck Smith in 1965 in the midst of

the “Jesus Movement” among the hippie culture of

Costa Mesa, California. Chuck Smith and a small

group of about 25 broke from the International

Foursquare Gospel Denomination and began a

ministry to hippies, surfers, and drug addicts. This

small movement spread like wildfire and now the

denomination has grown to over 1000 churches

and counting. In government, this group is primarily

a pastor-led congregation but often times a Calvary Chapel church will be more of an Episcopal or

Presbyterian elder-led style of government. Whereas Calvary Chapel does not consider themselves to

be a “denomination” i.e. they claim to be non-denominational, they accept the idea of other

denominations but reject the over emphasis of denominational doctrine and practice.

They are a balanced blend of Calvinism and Arminianism theology (if such a thing could be

possible) whereby they believe in a dual role of God’s sovereign choice of an individual for

salvation, coupled with that individual’s free will acceptance of God’s offer. They fancy themselves

directly in between fundamentalism (Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc) and Pentecostalism

(Assembly of God, Church of God, Foursquare etc). They adhere to sola scriptura and the inerrancy

of the Bible while adhering to the fundamentals of the Christian faith: Trinity, Deity of Jesus,

Salvation by Grace, etc just as fundamental evangelicals do. The difference is that Calvary Chapel

believes in the perpetuity of the spiritual gifts (i.e. tongues, prophecy, word of knowledge etc) as a

theological position, but they do not believe in practicing the gifts in their church services. It is this

position that caused a friendly “split” by John Wimber and others who broke off from Calvary

Chapel to form the Vineyard Pentecostal denomination (formerly a ‘movement’).

Willow Creek (Seeker Sensitive) Movement

WCA- seeker sensitive (Bill Hybels 1975) Researching

the history of Willow Creek turned into the most

difficult pursuit of information yet. Part of the problem

is, the history of the Willow Creek Movement has been

largely doctored on church historical sites and/or

removed entirely from the Willow Creek website. In

fact, of all the active denominations that I have

researched for this site, Willow Creek is the only

movement/denomination with absolutely no self-

reported historical information. That is alarming to say

the least.

This “movement” does not consider itself a denomination, however, its late-20th century philosophy

and theology termed “seeker sensitive” has permeated many Evangelical, Pentecostal, and mainline

Christian denominations today. It was founded in 1975 by a man named Bill Hybels who was a

youth pastor at South Park Church, a non-denominational evangelical church in Park Ridge, IL.

According to the South Park Church website, it began in the 1940s as a non-denominational church.

However, historical archives of the Chicago Tribune report that there was a Congregational South

Park Church in existence as early as 1890. It is safe to say that Bill Hybel’s church began in the early

20th century as a non-denominational offshoot from a Congregationalist and Friends background

and still maintains an evangelical liturgy to this day.

In 1975, Hybels and a friend joined together to form a church that would reach out to the

“irreligious” by making their church as “irreligious” as they could. Crosses were removed, talk of the

atoning blood of Christ, the fallen sinful nature of man and his subsequent need for repentance were

also removed and were replaced with pop culture reference and entertainment and state-of-the-art

media presentation. They also shortened sermons to 20-30 minutes and praise and worship was

reduced to performing bands for 10-15 minutes, all to accommodate that “irreligious” soul with an

attention span problem. Biblical terms like “altar” and “sanctuary” are replaced with entertainment

cultural terms like “stage” and “auditorium”. The liturgy resembles more of a entertainment variety

show than a Christian gathering of corporate worship. The common term used for this approach in

reaching the irreligious or “seeker” is called a seeker sensitive approach. However, this approach

has taken on certain negative connotations in recent years and the term for this approach has been

changed internally to “culturally relevant church”

This irreligious approach worked in drawing in the numbers and

church attendance grew. Today, according to an article on

sermoncentral.com listing the top 100 largest churches, the

largest church in America is a Pentecostal seeker sensitive

church called Lakewood Church at 43,500 visitors per week.

Lakewood is followed at a distant second by a Baptist seeker sensitive church called Second Baptist

Church with 23,500+ attendees and third by a church called North point Community Church,

founded by Andy Stanley, the son of Charles Stanley, a prominent mainstream Southern Baptist

Pastor. Willow Creek, founded by Bill Hybels comes in at number four with a weekly attendance of

22,500 but in 2008, according to an article on Willow Creek Shifting Focus, Christianity Today

reports that Willow Creek has, through the same straw polls that founded its irreligious approach,

recognized the deficiency of the seeker sensitive doctrine in bringing about real fulfilling

discipleship and “closeness to Christ” and has begun to move away from the irreligious appeal to

offering Bible and theology courses during its mid-week services.

Cultural Relevance = Spiritual Irrelevance

Vineyard Churches

Pentecostal (Gullickson 1974, Wimber 1982)

Founded by Kenn Gullickson in 1974 as a group of

small churches and bible study groups affiliated

with Calvary Chapel. These groups existed in

practical anonymity until 1982, when a charismatic

seminary professor, Calvary Chapel Pastor, and

former professional musician named John Wimber,

came to experience the gifts of the Spirit (prophecy,

speaking in tongues, word of knowledge, etc) in

reality and not just doctrinally. This brought about a new emphasis from Wimber on the day to day

use of the gifts in the Christian life which was unacceptable to Chuck Smith, the leader of Calvary

Chapel. In Chuck Smith's words, the disagreement was an amicable one and the two "agreed to

disagree" and, in 1982, Wimber removed himself and his Yorba Linda congregation from the

Calvary Chapel fold. What began as a few small groups under Gullickson quickly became a

nationwide movement and denomination under Wimber.

The denomination has since experienced mixed responses from the rest of Christianity mainly as a

result of its affiliation with controversial movements and figures such the Kansas City Prophets and

the embarrassing "Laughter in The Spirit" fad of the early '90s. Both of which claimed to be the

"great revivals" but in truth, fizzled out with little to no impact whatsoever on their communities,

thus negating any possible comparison to true Christian revivals like the first or second "Great

Awakenings", or the Azusa Street revival in Los

Angeles in the early 20th century. Because of

Vineyard's association with these events, many came

to mistrust what was formerly a very trustworthy

movement. This caused a number of Vineyard

churches to openly declare their disassociation with

the "Laughter" craze and the Toronto Airport Vineyard

in particular. Shortly after this, in 1997, John Wimber

passed away and left behind a legacy of successful

Christian churches and a denomination that for the

most part, is consistently and properly balanced between Evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. He

also left behind a collection of Spirit-inspired worship music that has blessed the worship lives of

many Christians: Catholic and Protestant alike.

Today the Vineyard denomination has over 1500 congregations worldwide and over 550 in the US

alone.

Para-Church Organizations

Listed below, are a few of the more widely known Christian

organizations that work among the different denominations

(interdenominational) but are not denominations themselves.

Because they have grown to such a large size of volunteer workers

and ministries that are reaching millions of people, they have been

referred to as “Para-church” or “church-like” organizations. In

reality, they are all more than "church like" but are simply part of

the Christian church on the whole. However, they do not profess to

belong to any particular denomination, but often times belong to

churches of various denominations within their communities.

YWAM (Youth With A Mission)

Started by Loren Cunningham in 1960 as a Christian mission’s organization for youth. Cunningham

had a vision in 1956 while in the Bahamas, where he saw “waves crashing on the shores of the

continents, completely covering them up...” The waves in the vision became young people

preaching to the lost outside bars, on the streets, etc.

Cunningham then shared his vision with his denomination (Assemblies of God) and they kindly

offered to “pray about Loren’s vision”. They returned to him a short time later to claim that Loren’s

vision “was not from God”. Cunningham disagreed with their findings and pursued the vision,

knowing that it was from God. He began to establish small inter-denominational bases that

mobilized young Christians for short term missions. The YWAM movement flourished and by the

year 2000, there were 11,000 staff missionaries in/from over 130 countries.

Whereas YWAM is inter-denominational, it is widely regarded from within and from outside the

movement as Pentecostal. This can be attributed to its Assembly of God roots. There are no

“YWAM” churches as the volunteer staff at the various bases, seek out appropriate home churches in

their communities of which to be a part.

As a post script: the Assemblies of God, seeing the success of the YWAM movement, attempted their

own version of a “youth driven missions and service movement” called “Masters Commission”. With

this, its safe to say the Assemblies of God have “reconsidered” their response to Cunningham’s

vision from God although they have never publicly admitted it.

Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC)

Founded by Bill Bright in 1951 on the campus

of UCLA as an evangelical outreach to students

on college campuses across America. Bright was

a recently born again Presbyterian and the

evangelical views of Campus Crusade for Christ

still reflect Reformist theology.

“CCC” is a sound Christian organization

adhering to the primary fundamentals of the

Christian faith. The organization came under

criticism from atheist groups and others after

many cults imitated the approach taken by Campus Crusade.

Bill Bright was a driving force behind CCC and in 1956; he penned the Four Spiritual Laws which

provided an easy condensed codification of the Biblical view of Christian salvation.

There are hundreds of thousands of tracts and brochures that are distributed throughout the world

that reference the “Four Laws”.

Bright also commissioned the JESUS film in 1979 which documented the life of Jesus according to

the Bible which was a departure from the movies about Jesus life that were told from a liberal

perspective. The JESUS documentary has, according to billbright.ccci.org, been viewed by over 5

billion people in 234 different countries. According to this same source, Campus Crusade for Christ,

as of July, 2003, serves in 191 countries with a staff of 26,000 full time employees and 225000

volunteers.

World Vision

World Vision International is an Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid, development, and

advocacy organisation.

Since Robert Pierce founded World Vision in 1950, it has

grown into one of the largest relief and development

organizations in the world with a total revenue including

grants, product and foreign donations of $2.79 billion

(2011).

The original organisation, World Vision Inc., was founded by Pierce in 1950 to provide

humanitarian aid. It initially operated in the United States, and soon expanded to other countries; in

1966, it operated under the name of "World Vision International". World Vision International was

founded in 1977 as an organization, by Walter Stanley Mooney ham the president of World Vision,

as the result of a restructuring process that had begun in the early 1970s. World Vision International

was founded as an organisation took over most international functions which were previously

fulfilled by World Vision Inc.; it was headquartered in Monrovia, California, in the same building as

World Vision Inc., which was reorganized as World Vision United States for operations in that

country. Mooney ham became also president of World Vision International until 1982 when he

resigned after criticism within the International Board, where the accusations ranged from a

dictatorial leadership style to an ethnocentric American communication style.

***It is worth noting that missing are the groups: Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints

and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostal, United Pentecostal Church, The Unitarian

Church, and a few others. These belief systems veer from the essential, historic Christian belief in the

Trinity and are mostly (if not entirely) based on the private interpretations of a charismatic leader or

leaders, whereby the gods revealed by these “prophets” and “teachers” are wholly and completely

different from the God of Christianity (despite having the same or similar names for their gods). It is

for this reason that Christianity on the whole does not consider these groups e.g. LDS church or the

Jehovah’s Witnesses to be part of the Biblical and historic orthodoxy of the Christian church.

...................................................................................................................................................

II. Christian Denominations In India:

Christianity is India's third-largest religion

according to the census of 2001, with

approximately 24 million followers,

constituting 2.3 per cent of India's

population. The works of scholars and

Eastern Christian writings state that

Christianity was introduced to India by

Thomas the Apostle, who visited Muziris in

Kerala in AD 52 to spread the gospel

amongst Kerala's Jewish settlements.

Although the origins of Christianity in India

remain unclear, there is a general scholarly

consensus that Christianity was established

in India by the 6th century AD, including some communities who used Syriac liturgically, and it is

a possibility that the religion's existence there extends to as far back as the 1st century. Christianity

was as such established in India even before some nations of Europe had been Christianised.

Christians are found all across India and in all walks of life, with major populations in parts of

South India, the Konkan Coast, and North - East. Indian Christians have contributed significantly to

and are well represented in various spheres of national life. They include former and current chief

ministers, governors and chief election commissioners. Indian Christians have the lowest sex ratio

figures among the various religious communities in India. Christians are considered to be one of

the most progressive communities in India.

Most Christians in India are Catholics of the Latin Church. The state of Kerala is home to the Saint

Thomas Christian community, an ancient body of Christians (Syriac Christianity) who are now

divided into several different churches and traditions. There are two Eastern Catholic Saint Thomas

Christian churches: the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

There are also several Oriental Orthodox and independent churches in the Saint Thomas Christian

community, including the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the Malankara Jacobite Syrian

Church and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. Since the 19th century Protestant churches

have also been present; major denominations include the Church of South India (CSI), the Church

of North India (CNI), the Presbyterian Church of India, Baptists, Lutherans, Traditional Anglicans

and other evangelical groups. Roman Catholicism was first introduced to India by Portuguese,

Italian and Irish Jesuits, whereas Protestantism was later spread to India by the efforts of British and

American missionaries. The Christian Church runs thousands of educational institutions and

hospitals contributing significantly to the development of the nation.

List of Denominations:

Advent Christian Conference

Amazing Grace Ministries

Anglican Church of India

Apatani Christian Fellowship

Apostolic Christian Assembly

Apostolic Church of Pentecost

Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle

Apostolic Pentecostal Church

Apostolic Trinity Ministries

Asia Evangelistic Fellowship

Assam Baptist Convention

Assemblies of Christ Church

Assemblies of God

Assemblies of Jesus Christ

Assembly Hall Churches

Association of Vineyard Churches

Assyrian Church of the East

Baptist Christian Association

Baptist Church of Mizoram

Baptist Union of North India

Believers' Churches in India

Bengal Baptist Fellowship

Bengal-Orissa-Bihar Baptist Convention

Bethel Pentecostal Church

Bharatiya Jukta Christa Prachar Mandali

Bible Brethren Fellowship

Bible Christian Mission

Bible Pattern Church

Bible Presbyterian Church

Bihar Mennonite Mandli

Blessing Youth Mission

Brethren in Christ Church in India

Cachar Hill Tribes Synod

Carmel Gospel Missions

Catholic Church

A. Roman Catholic Church (Latin rite)

B. Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

C. Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

Chaldean Syrian Church

Christ Groups

Christadelphians

Christian Fellowship Centre

Church of God (Anderson)

Church of God (Full Gospel) in India

Church of God of Prophecy

Church of God (Seventh Day)

Church of North India

Church of South India

Church of the Apostolic Faith

Church of the Nazarene

Churches of Christ

Churches of Christ in Western India

Churches of Christ (Instrumental)

Churches of Christ (Non-Instrumental)

Council of Baptist Churches in Northern India

Deliverance City Church

Diocese of Cosmopolis

Disciples of Christ

Dohnavur Fellowship

Elephant faith soul winners

Elim Church

El Shaddai

Eternal Light Ministries

Eternal Life International Ministries

Evangelical Alliance of Churches

Evangelical Church of Maraland

Evangelical Congregational Church

Evangelical Free Church of India

Evangelical Missionary Society in Mayurbhanj

Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim

Fellowship of Evangelical Friends

Fellowship of Gospel Churches

Fellowship of Indigenous Gospel Churches

Filadelfia Fellowship

Free Methodist Church of India

Friends Missionary Prayer Band

Garo Baptist Convention

Gospel Association of India

Gospel Echoing Missionary Society

Gospel Outreach Ministries

Gypsy Evangelical Movement

Greek Orthodox Church

Hebron Missionary Fellowship

Himalaya Evangelical Mission

Himalayan Free Church

Hindustani Covenant Church

Higland churches of India

House of Prayer Fellowship

Independent Assemblies of God, International

Independent Churches of India

India Association of General Baptists

India for Christ Ministries

India United Evangelical Mission

India Evangelistic Mission

Indian Brethren

Indian National Church

Indian National Full Gospel Churches Federation of India

Indian Pentecostal Church of God

International Christian Fellowship

International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

Jesus Name Pentecostal Church

Karbi-Anglong Baptist Convention

Karnataka Baptist Convention

Kashmir Evangelical Fellowship

Kuki Christian Church

Local Churches of India

London Mission Church

Lord Jesus Christ Tabernacle

Madras Pentecostal Assembly Mission

Manipur Baptist Convention

Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church

Mara Independent Evangelical Church

Maranatha Full Gospel Churches

Mennonite Church in India

Methodist Church in India

Metropolitan Church Association

Mission Society of Mar Gregorios of India

Moravian Church

Nagaland Baptist Church Council

Christian Revival Church

National Missionary Society of India

Native Missionary Movement

Navajeeva Ashram

New Life Churches

New Life Fellowship Association

New Life Outreach

New Testament Church of India

North Bank Baptist Christian Association

North India Tribal Mission

Open Bible Church of God

Orissa Missionary Movement

Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodoxy)

A. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

B. Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church

C. Malabar Independent Syrian Church

Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church

Pentecostal Holiness Church

Presbyterian Church of India

Prince of Peace Church

Rabha Baptist Church Union

Reaching Indians Ministries

Rajasthan Bible Institute

Reformed Episcopal Church

Reformed Presbyterian Church of India

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North East India

St Thomas Evangelical Church of India

Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches

Separate Baptists in Christ

Seventh Day Baptist Church

Seventh-day Adventist Church

South India Reformed Churches

Tamil Baptist Churches

Tamil Christian Fellowship

Telugu Baptist Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Salvation Army

The Pentecostal Mission

Tribal Gospel Mission

Tripura Baptist Christian Union

Undenominational Church of the Lord in India

United Basel Mission Church

United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India

United Missionary Church of India

United Pentecostal Church in India

United Church of North India (UCNI)

Wesleyan Church of India

Zeme Baptist Church Council

Lambsaved Ministries

III. CHURCHES IN INDIA: (Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Reformed etc.)

United

Church of North India

Church of South India

Baptist

Arunachal Baptist Church Council

Assam Baptist Convention

Baptist Church of Mizoram

Baptist Union of North India

Bengal Orissa Bihar Baptist Convention

Bodo Baptist Convention

Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars

Council of Baptist Churches in North-East India

Council of Baptist Churches in Northern India

Garo Baptist Convention

Karbi-Anglong Baptist Convention

Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church (LIKBK)

Manipur Baptist Convention

Nagaland Baptist Church Council

North Bank Baptist Christian Association

Orissa Baptist Evangelistic Crusade

Rabha Baptist Church Union

Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches

Tripura Baptist Christian Union

Latin

Catholic Church (excluding Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara)

Brahmavar Orthodox Church (jurisdiction of Indian Orthodox Church)

Lutheran

Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church

Arcot Lutheran Church

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh

Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan States

Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam

India Evangelical Lutheran Church

Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church

Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church

South Andhra Lutheran Church

Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church

United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India

Pentecostal

Assemblies of God

The Pentecostal Mission

Indian Pentecostal Church of God

Born again (Christianity)

Nondenominational Christianity

Seventh-day Adventist

Pentecostal Maranatha Gospel Church

Presbyterian/Reformed

Presbyterian Church of India

Reformed Presbyterian Church of India

Reformed Presbyterian Church in North East India

Presbyterian Free Church of Central India

Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim

Congregational Church in India

United Church of Northern India - Presbyterian Synod

South India Reformed Churches

Free Presbyterian Church, Kalimpong

Evangelical Church of Maraland

Covenant Reformed Assemblies

In the midst of all these churches, what is the situation for the

church? Even though the pressures are increasing, the church is growing more rapidly than ever

before, despite what the census statistics indicate. And not only are churches multiplying, but so are

indigenous Indian mission agencies, sometimes with only three or four workers, but often with

dozens or even hundreds. Over 20,000 indigenous missionaries are serving in India, about half of

them in cross - cultural work.

a. History

Tradition traces the beginning of Christianity in India to the arrival of the apostle Thomas in 52 AD.

But there is little doubt that Syrian Christians had become established in Kerala by the fourth

century. Roman Catholic work began in Goa in the sixteenth century, and Protestant missions

began in the eighteenth century. Indian Christians recently celebrated the bicentennial of William

Carey’s arrival in 1793. Yet despite this long tradition, the percentage of Christians recorded in the

2001 census was still less than 3%. Of these Christians, 39% were Protestants, 27.6% were

Independent, 29.2% were Catholics, and 3.8% were Orthodox.

b. Streams in the church

Indian leaders commonly refer to two primary streams in the Protestant church: the mainline

churches (including the Church of North India, the Church of South India, the United Evangelical

Lutheran Churches, and the Methodist Church of India) and the evangelical/charismatic churches.

We could define “evangelicals” as those who hold to the full authority of the Scriptures, who believe

in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and who emphasize the need to share the

gospel with those who have not yet heard or believed. We could define “charismatics” as those

who believe in the full operation of the New Testament ministries and gifts in the church today,

though there are varying degrees of emphasis on speaking in tongues, or on a separate experience of

baptism of the Holy Spirit.

These categories are of limited usefulness, however, because many of the mainline churches have

significant numbers of those who are evangelical in theology, while in some regions traditionally

“evangelical” churches like the Baptists have been strongly influenced by non-evangelical theology.

Lines between charismatic and non-charismatic are increasingly indistinct, especially in newer fields.

There is also growing fellowship and cooperation between charismatic Catholics and evangelical

Protestants in places like Mumbai and West Bengal. In fact, Bible-believing Catholics and

Protestants often find much more in common with one another than either find with the non-

evangelical wings of their own groups.

Many of the mainline churches have been sadly weakened by limited vision, political struggles, the

drain of expensive institutions inherited from the missionaries, endless lawsuits involving church

property, and theological pluralism. Although there is evidence of evangelical awakening in many

parts of the mainline churches, the great bulk of evangelism, mission’s initiatives, and church-

planting efforts are coming from the evangelical and especially the charismatic streams. Both OM

India and SAIACS (South Asian Institute for Advanced Christian Studies) say that 60% of their recruits

or students come from charismatic churches.

c. Distribution of the Church

The Christians in India are distributed very unevenly by region and by caste. Seventy percent live in

the South, and 25% in the Northeast. Only 5% of India’s Christians live in the entire North of India,

and half of them (2.5%) are from the non-Aryan Northeast. Furthermore, more than half of the

Christians have Scheduled Caste background, and another quarter are from tribal origin. The Syrian

Christians of Kerala, the Goans of Goa and the Anglo-Indians together comprise 12%. Only about

25% of the Christian come from the Backward Castes, Other Backward Castes, and Forward Castes,

even though these groups make up 60% of the Indian population.

d. Growth of the church and mission agencies

Whatever the official government statistics may say, it is evident that definite growth has been

occurring in the last decade. In some regions, the church has been exploding. For example, in

1992, in all of Madhya Pradesh (a state in central India with population of over 66 million) there

were only 500 churches. By 1998 there were over 2,000. And just two years later, the number of

churches was more than 3,000! In Punjab, the home of the Sikhs in northwest India, one pastor saw

his group more than double from 19 churches in 1997 to 40 churches in 1998. The church in

Punjab as a whole nearly tripled from 1991 through 1998.

Even though the censuses of 2001 shows only 2.3% Christians, most Indian Christian leaders think

the percentage of Christians is actually closer to four percent, or perhaps even more, if you include

all the secret believers. But all that there are 45 million Christians in India, in addition to 10 agree

that in many regions of the country, and in a number of people groups, the churches are growing at

an unprecedented rate.

And not only are churches multiplying, but so are indigenous Indian mission agencies, sometimes

with only three or four workers, but often with dozens or even hundreds. In 1998 the India Missions

Association was estimating that there were about 300 indigenous mission agencies in India. But

since then new groups have continued to spring up. The 2001 edition of Operation World reports

440 agencies. Many of these churches and missions have no ties with any Western denominations

or agencies.

e. Ministry in a context of persecution

Much of the growth of the church has been coming through cell groups (networked together as part

of larger worshiping congregations) and house churches (in which the cell performs all the functions

of a church). The cell and house church models have drawn increasing attention, not only because

of their rapid multiplication, but also because of their suitability for apprentice-style leadership

development, their ease of cross-cultural adaptation, and their ability to survive and even thrive

during times of persecution.

The combinations of local agitation as well as government-level harassment and media attacks

fomented by Hindu fundamentalists have prompted Indian Christians to rethink their strategies of

evangelism. In many places public meetings and street preaching have become nearly impossible,

though in some areas well-publicized evangelism and healing services can still be conducted

without interruption. However, in general there is a growing emphasis on friendship evangelism,

home meetings, and practical service (e.g. health, literacy, AIDS prevention, environmental

initiatives) that plainly benefit the entire community (non-Christians as well as Christians) and that

win a hearing for the Christians. The two most common criticisms leveled against the Christians by

Hindu fundamentalists are that (1) they are outsiders, not true patriots, mere agents of the West, kept

alive by foreign money; and (2) all their “good works” are simply dishonest ploys to “convert” (i.e. to

rip away from their community and their culture) the ignorant.

In many areas, the growing persecution of the church has fueled the zeal of the young believers. As

one prominent Baptist leader in Orissa expressed it:

Persecution is an emerging grace. Because we have been terrorized, wisdom comes to us. The big

fish may take us, but they cannot digest us. Million crypto-Christians or secret believers. Not only

have believers multiplied, but so have denominations.

There are 1,327 denominations in India. They will throw us [like Jonah] out on the beach where

God may best use us. The churches are growing like anything. There is no stopping it.

f. New partnerships and collaboration

The last decade has brought a noticeable increase in the desire of Christian leaders, especially

younger leaders, to network with one another and to partner together, e.g. to focus on a particular

people group, region, or city. The recent pressures on the church from Hindu fundamentalists have

accelerated these movements toward collaboration. The time is ripe to encourage broad-based,

cooperative leadership development initiatives. Another encouraging trend is the increasing

awareness and involvement of the overseas Indian community in mission work, church-planting and

leadership development in India. For several decades the Indian community in North America and

the U.K. seemed to be concerned primarily with making a better life for themselves. But now there

is a noticeably accelerated and coordinated movement among overseas Indians to contribute to the

multiplication and strengthening of the church in India.

The India Leadership Study itself has sparked a very exciting new cooperative development: the

formation of the India Leadership Development Commission [describe in more detail]. Last January

in Delhi I presented a summary of the India Leadership Study to a group of about 40 top-level

national leaders. The response to the study was very positive and enthusiastic. The leaders decided

to translate and publish the India Leadership Study, with their responses, in 10 different Indian

languages, and to organize regional conference to discuss the implications of the findings. They also

established an ongoing India Leadership Development Commission to coordinate research and

action regarding the need for leadership development in India. They are working in a new

partnership with Pat Macmillan and Team Resources to develop contextually appropriate resources

for organizational development as well.

IV. United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India(UELCI):

Church Family : Lutheran churches

Based in : India

Present in :

Membership : 1,500,000

Pastors : 1,291

Congregations : 3,000

Member Of :

CCA

NCCI

LWF

Associate Member Of :

WCC Member Since : 1948

Website : http://www.uelci.org/

Nearly three out of ten of Asia's Lutherans live in

India, where Protestant missions began work in 1706. India's Lutheran churches, established by

German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and American mission societies and boards, extend from the

far north/north east to the southern tip along the eastern part of India. In 1853 the first Evangelical

Lutheran synod was held at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. In 1905 a Lutheran general conference was

held in Kodaikanal with representatives from five missions. In 1926 the constitution of the

Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India was presented. The common liturgy was

approved in 1935. In 1947, a convention at Ranchi proposed the formation of a United Lutheran

Church in India. Lutheranism found new meaning by changing the constitution of the FELCI so that

it became the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India in 1975. In 1998 the name was

changed to United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India.

The following eleven churches belong to UELCI:

Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church

Arcot Lutheran Church

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh

Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Himalayan States

Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church

Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church

India Evangelical Lutheran Church

Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church

Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church

South Andhra Lutheran Church

Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church.

V. The Lutheran Churches of India:

India is home to the oldest Lutheran body outside Europe and North

America. One-third of all Asian Lutherans live in India. Thanks to the

commitment, labor, and investment of Europeans and North Americans,

Lutheran churches have put down deep roots all over India and thrive

today as a vibrant Christian communion. This survey is an attempt to

paint a big picture of Lutheranism in India today, building on the story of

Lutheran missions to India in the winter 2009 print edition of Lutheran

Forum.

Lutheranism is spread out all over India, encompassing several ethnic

and linguistic groups, the oldest being the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran

Church. Today Indian Lutheranism is organized into eleven autonomous

church bodies under the banner of the United Evangelical Church in India. We will begin our quick

overview of this communion with the southernmost part of India.

Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC)

On January 14, 1919, the Tamil Lutheran congregations that

had been tended by Swedish and German missionaries with

the assistance of Indian pastors formed the Tamil Evangelical

Lutheran Church. Churches of the TELC are the oldest

Lutheran congregations in India, founded by Danish Halle

Mission in Tranquebar, a Danish colony since 1706.

Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, Benjamin Schultze, Philip

Fabricius, and Christian Frederick Schwartz were instrumental

in providing a strong foundation for the Lutheran churches

among the Tamils in the eighteenth century. The first Indian

minister to be ordained was Aaron way back in 1730. The

Leipzig Evanglical Lutheran Mission LELM] continued the

mission work of the Tranquebar mission when the Danish

East India Company sold its property to the British East India

Company in 1845. Karl Graul (1814–1864), LELM’s first

director and a famous exponent of the concept of

Volkskirche, visited India during from 1849 to 1853,

strengthening the local churches. Graul opposed the

tendency among the churches connected with Anglo

missions not to tolerate caste system in the church, for he saw caste as a social system that gave a

sense of dignity and belonging. This attitude toward caste led C. E. Ochs to sever his connection

with LELM and start Danish Missionary Society, resulting in the emergence of Arcot Lutheran Church

among the Tamil speaking people. The main contribution of LELM was the formulation of a

constitution for an independent Tamil Lutheran church in the second half of the nineteenth century.

In 1881 it also introduced the Gemeinde Ordnung. Another important contribution of LELM to the

Lutheran ecumenism was its gift of property at Kilpauk, Chennai, for the United Lutheran

Theological College in Madras. Swedish Lutherans also had contributed toward the emergence of

Lutheranism among the Tamils. They began to assist LELM starting in 1848. In 1901 the newly

formed Church of Sweden mission assumed responsibility for a share of the enlarged field,

establishing it as a separate Swedish diocese. During World Wars I and II, when LELM personnel

were removed from their work for prolonged periods, Swedish Lutherans kept things going. The

joint enterprises of the Danish Halle mission, the LELM, and the Swedish mission led to the

formation of the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1919.

The developments in worldwide ecumenism and the First World War that orphaned the missionary

work of the Germans mission gave the impetus for the union. The next year, the Swedish mission

director Brundin came to the TELC’s area along with Bishop Danell of Shara in Sweden. Their arrival

brought a change in attitude toward episcopacy among Indian Lutherans. Those who considered

episcopacy to be non-essential factor and a non-Lutheran (Anglican) tradition made a strong decision

to adopt this church polity in their own church. Consequently in March 1921, the constitution of the

TELC was revised to include episcopal structure. This was unanimously adopted by the synod. On

March 7, 1921, the Swedish missionary E. Heuman was consecrated the first bishop of Tranquebar.

Thus, one of the legacies of Church of the Sweden mission was the episcopal form of polity.

However, it took until 1956 for an Indian to be elected as bishop. Dr. R. B. Manickam, consecrated

in 1956 was the first national Lutheran bishop in Asia. Bishop Manickam was a well-known

ecumenist and had served as secretary of the National Christian Council of India and then as the first

secretary of East Asia Christian Council of the then-International Missionary Council. He was the

bishop till his retirement in 1967.

After the formation of the TELC in 1919, it took a great deal of initiative to unite the other Lutherans

in India. They donated the property to start an all-India Lutheran seminary in 1928 worth 60,000

Rupees then. They also closed the Tranquebar seminary to facilitate the opening of the new

seminary. More than any other single person, TELC bishop Sandegren worked untiringly to bring this

project to fruition. Today, the Gurkul Lutheran Theological Seminary and Research Institute is a

premier theological school, training men and women for the Lutheran churches as well other

Christian communions. It also serves as a rallying point for Lutherans in India.

In the formation of the TELC, Tamil Christians played significant role right from the days of the

arrival of German missionaries in 1706. Despite their meager salary, they accepted it with gratitude

to the western missions for introducing them to Christ. Today the TELC has 1, 05,773 members in

about 110 pastorates and its headquarters are in Trichy.

The Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC)

The ALC, organized in 1913, is another Tamil-speaking

Lutheran church that had its origin in the work of

missionaries of the Danish Missionary Society (DMS) that

started working in 1863. Pastor C. C. Ochs, who had served

as a Leipzig missionary, disassociated himself from LELM

because of his disagreement on the LELM’s toleration of

caste. He began a new mission in Pattambakkam. Three

years later DMS took over the work of Ochs. Peter Andersen,

the first Danish missionary in India, founded a mission

station in Tirukoilur in 1869. From 1900 the DMS had

extensive missionary work in the Arcot region, including

hospitals, schools, and mission stations. Receiving by transfer

a station from the English Baptists in 1882, the Danish

Lutherans established centers in Madras, Bangalore, and

South Arcot. It is primarily located in North and South Arcot

districts, Salem and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu.

One of the outstanding characteristics of ALC is the zeal it had for larger ecumenism in India.

Though ALC actively participated in union talks with other Lutheran churches in India, they showed

more enthusiasm to join the Church of South India. Their commitment to wider ecumenism was

such that they even “hesitated to join the Lutheran union, fearing it would prevent a future wider

union with the CSI.”

Among the several missionaries DMS had, two names stand out: Lars Peter Larsen (1862–1940) and

Anne Marie Petersen (1909–1951). Lars was one of the early missionaries and became an

outstanding professor of Old Testament and the History of Religions at the United Theological

College, Bangalore. He also served as principal of the UTC for several years. He was one among

those who were interested in wider ecumenism and did a lot to promote it. Anne Marie Petersen

came in 1909 as a missionary in the so-called Loventhal Mission. She is well known for her positive

approach to Indian culture and customs. Anne Marie Petersen took strong engagement in girls’

education, putting great effort in starting a girl’s school based on the model of Mahatma Gandhi’s

ashram. The most remarkable feature connected with Anne Marie Petersen’s work was her long-

standing friendship with Mahatma Gandhi. She was greatly influenced by Gandhi’s educational

ideas, and she was from an early time a wholehearted supporter of his campaign for an independent

India, even to the extent that she was accused of giving priority to nationalism at the expense of

Christianity.

The ALC has around 30,000 members today in 40 parishes with nearly 50 ordained pastors and

many evangelists. It embraced episcopacy in 1981 and Bishop Durai Raj Peter was its first bishop.

The Indian Evangelical Lutheran Church

The IELC, the third of the Tamil-speaking Lutheran

churches, came into being in 1958. It owes its origin

to the missionary endeavors of the Lutheran Church-

Missouri Synod. The Missouri Evangelical Lutheran

India Mission (MELIM) was established in India

because of the doctrinal controversy that arose in

Leipzig Mission in 1876. Its early missionaries were

Germans from the Leipzig Mission. It started in the

far south around Nagercoil and gradually moved

north toward Madras. The untiring efforts of Rev.

Naether and Rev. Mohn from 1894 onwards resulted in the formation of the churches that spoke

Tamil, Malayalam, and Kanada. The subsequent missionaries who came in due course started

schools, orphanages, and hospitals. The efforts of Alice Brauer resulted in the establishment of three

hospitals. They were slow to cooperate with fellow Lutherans and others in South India. The IELC

today has a congregational strength of 80,000 spread over 400 parishes with its headquarters at

Nagercoil. The Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil offers theological education to its ministers.In polity

it combines congregational and synodical features and is the only Lutheran church in India not to

have episcopacy. In 1970 it became a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the only LCMS-

related church to do so.

The Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamil Nadu (LELCT)

The LELCT is fourth among the Tamil-

speaking churches and the smallest of the

Indian Lutheran bodies with fourteen

congregations, organized in December

1981. The work supported by Latvian

church began in 1924 when Anna Irbe

arrived in the Trichy district. Initially she

worked under the auspices of the TELC

before beginning work independently.

The work was hindered due to Second

World War, as funds from the West

ceased. In 1968 a Latvian pastor living in Australia at the request of the Canadian Latvians came to

India. He called Anna Irbe back into active service and support for the work came from Latvians

settled in different parts of the world: the US, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Germany, and other

places. The church was formed in 1981, bringing together two agencies, the Progressive Charity

Board and the Karuneipuri Foundation.

The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC)

The AELC is the second largest Lutheran church in India and the third

largest in Asia, with more than 5,000 congregations and about one million

members. It is a Telugu-speaking church located primarily in the state of

Andhra Pradesh. The AELC came into being in 1927 though its origins go

back to arrival of John Frederick Heyer (1793–1873) of the Pennsylvania

Ministerium in 1841 at Guntur. Heyer, fondly remembered as “Fr. Heyer,”

has the distinction of being the first American Lutheran missionary to India.

Soon another station was opened at Rajahmundry. It is not surprising that,

following the model of Lutheran churches in North America, a synodical

form of government was adapted on January 20, 1853, when the first

Lutheran synod in India was organized by Fr. Heyer, who was elected president. In 1854 when the

synod met for the second time, he recommended that steps be taken to contact other Lutheran

churches in India, with a view to forming a general synod in India.

The developments among the Lutherans in the USA cast their shadow on India. In 1867 when the

General Synod split and General Counsel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of North America was

formed, the Lutheran churches in Andhra Pradesh were divided. The General Synod took the

southern portion with headquarters at Guntur, and the General Council focused on northern part

with headquarters in Rajahmundry. Nevertheless, the churches still worked in closer cooperation

with each other. From 1879, the former Augustana Synod also worked in this region, and from

1895, the Lutheran missions working in Andhra Pradesh held joint conferences biennially. Starting

in 1905, a monthly called “The Gospel Writers” was published jointly. In 1908, they organized the

All India Lutheran Conferences at Guntur, which served as a representative body of all Lutheran

missions and churches in India. By 1918 when United Lutheran Church in America (ULCA) was

formed, the missions merged again into the Indian Mission of the ULCA in 1920. The continued

efforts of the former United Lutheran Church in America was instrumental in laying the strong

foundation of Lutheranism in Andhra Pradesh. After the merger, the Schleswig-Holstein Evangelical

Lutheran Missionary Society, also known as Breklum, headquartered in the Rajahmundry since

1845, also joined with it to form the AELC on April 19, 1927.

The remarkable feature of AELC today is its commitment to evangelism led by laity, especially

women known as “Bible women.” The membership has more than doubled in the last twenty years.

The AELC also once had eight hospitals, products of the work of pioneer missionary Dr. Anna S.

Kugler of Philadelphia. In recent years, many of the hospitals have been turned over to the

government or private agencies, but the AELC continues to operate two. The AELC has several

educational institutions, including a theological college. More than eighty percent of members are

from a rural dalit background.

The South Andhra Lutheran Church (SALC)

The SALC is the second

Telugu-speaking Lutheran

church, which came into

existence in 1947. However,

the origins of the church can

be dated back to the year

1865 when Rev. August

Mylius of Hermannsburg

Evangelical Lutheran Mission

(HELM) in Germanybegan his

evangelistic work in the southern part of Andhra. World War I forced German missionaries to leave

India in 1915. Five years later, American missionaries from the Ohio Lutheran Evangelical Mission

(OLEM) took charge of the abruptly-ended work of the German missionaries. Today the church

encompasses the southern part of Andhra (the Nellore, Cuddapah, and Chittor districts) and a few

parts of Tamil Nadu, with “diaspora” congregations in Chennai. The American connection led to the

synodical form of the government. Today the SALC has 33,863 members in 44 parishes. 95% of its

members are dalits and low on the economic scale.

Educational ministry was always of foremost importance to this church. One of its schools in

Tirupati, a Hindu pilgrim center and the home for the headquarters of SALC, was visited by a former

student during the celebration on its seventy-fifth year in 1955. It was none another than the

president of India himself, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975), a noted scholar and philosopher.

It was a true vindication for the educational undertaking of the church. The SALC has been a partner

in the Telugu Indigenous Curriculum Project, working with other Telugu-speaking churches as well

as the AELC. “This educational effort includes the use of festivals, songs, dramas, and traditional

Indian forms of communication.”

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church (GSELC)

The GSELC, formed in 1972, is one of the fastest growing Lutheran churches in India. Unlike the

others that were established by foreign missions, the GSELC was established by Rev. Dr. Paul Raj, an

Indian national. There are presently 41,786 members in forty-one pastorates situated mainly in the

forest areas of East and West Godhavari, the Warangal districts of Andhra Pradesh, and the southern

parts of the Baster district of Madhya Pradesh. The Church’s uniqueness lies in its translation of the

Bible into the Koya language, which hitherto was not even written down. The invention of a Koya

alphabet is seen as an important phase in the history of the tribe and is expected to provide a new

value system both in the economic and social sphere to the entire tribal community.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh (ELCMP)

The ELCMP is a Hindi-speaking Lutheran church that came into being in

1949 with the name Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central Province.

Its current name was adapted along with episcopacy in 1968. It is located

in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Orissa, and Maharashtra. Its

historical background can be traced back to 1877 when A. G. Danielson

from the Swedish Evangelical Mission started his pioneering work among

the Gonds who were early adherents to the Lutheran faith. Later high-caste

Hindu Uraons, Panka, Kewat, Pabhiyas, and Baris also joined the fold. The

ELCMP now has a total of 13,546 members in around 52 pastorates.

Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church (GELC)

The GELC is one of the largest and most

widespread Lutheran churches in India. Its

origins can be traced back to 1845 when the

Johannes Gossner Evangelical Missionary

Society in Germany sent four missionaries, Emil

Satz, August Brandt, Fredrick Basch, and

Theodore Yankey. These four missionaries, who

were chiefly farmers and artisans rather than

theologians, arrrived in Calcutta. In Calcutta they

came into contact with some street laborers of

aboriginal origin, known as “Kols.” They had

resolved to follow them to their native habitat in

Chota Nagpur. Arriving in Ranchi in 1845 they established a base there and supported themselves

by farming. After much initial frustration a few converts were made in 1850. Missionary work was

begun among Kols people who migrated to the province of Assam. Work was carried on among ten

language groups. By 1984 the church had 336,524 baptized members.

After a period of very slow growth, Lutheranism thrived among the Orans and Mundas tribes due to

a large-scale conversion to Lutheranism. Particularly after the Sepoy Mutiny (1857), the people

began to embrace Christianity in increasing numbers, so that by 1900 a community of 100,000 had

arisen. Christianity brought a “sense of liberation from many factors operative in those days,

including the exploitation and oppression they endured under the landlords and kings.” The fast

growth did not happen without difficulties. A conflict that broke out among the missionaries in the

1869 divided the mission in two. Some of them joined the Anglican Church, thus interrupting the

work. Further disturbance to the work came when the Belgian Roman Catholic Mission came to

Ranchi. A number of Lutheran adivasi (aboriginal) converts embraced Roman Catholicism because

of the extensive material benefits extended to them. Despite the losses to Lutheranism, the Gossner

church thrived.

During the crisis created by World War I, when all German missionaries were deported and no

other Lutheran missions came forward to take their place, the church was restructured and given to

local people, leading to the birth of first fully self-governing and property-owning church on July 10,

1919, the Gossner Evangelical Church. A central committee was set up to administer its affairs.

Pastors and other workers carried on in spite of financial privation. Despite Anglican offers to

assume financial responsibility, Indian Gossner leaders expressed their staunch desire to remain

confessionally Lutheran Christians learned to give what was available to them—rice. In many

Christian homes, a handful of rice is set aside each time a meal is cooked. The rice collected during

the week is brought to the altar. This sacrificial giving sustained the churches during those crucial

years. 32 German missionaries were able to return in 1925, but their service is to an autonomous

church. In 1928 the church framed its constitution and Rev. Hanukk Datto Lakra became its first

president.

The composition of different tribal and language people groups has caused strife and tension since

1935. At times the church was pushed almost to the point of division, especially in the 1950s. These

tensions and conflict, fortunately, affected mostly only the top-level leadership and a few

congregations. Life in most of the parishes went on quietly. This is both the strength and weakness of

the GELC.

The GELC has five dioceses headed by a bishop. Ranchi, Jharkand (formerly Bihar) is the

headquarters and a dean heads its congregation. The main concentration of this church is

Chotanagpur, Assam, the area surrounding Ranchi. At present it has around 500,000 congregational

members spread over 1687 pastorates in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,

Chattisgarh, Orissa, Assam, and Haryana, and the major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, etc. It has a

presence in the northeastern states as well. The women and youth in the church play a vital role in

conducting relief and awareness programs, especially during the Bhopal gas tragedy and the cyclone

in Orissa. The GELC continues to be a lay-driven church. Most of the parish work and evangelism is

carried out by catechists and women workers.

Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC)

The JELC, located mainly in the southeastern part of the state of Orissa, the

former Jeypore kingdom, in the district of Koraput, came into being due to

the missionary activity in these tribal areas that began with the pioneering

works of pastors Earnest Pohl and Herman Bothman since in 1882. It was

mainly due to the initiative taken by Rev. Christian Jensen, the pioneering

missionary of Breklum, Germany (the Schleswig-Holstein Evangelical

Lutheran Missionary Society, now known as Nordelbisches

Missionzentrum), from which many more missionaries were sent. The

mass movement from an outcaste group called Dambas in the beginning

of twentieth century led to the fast growth.

The JELC was organized into a church when the first synod met in 1928. The languages used are

Oriya, Kuvi, Gadaba, Bonda, Bhotra, Dedei, and Koya. The church suffered a reversal during the

two World Wars when missionaries from Germany were forced to leave. On both occasions

temporary help was extended by the United Lutheran Church in North America and after 1955 by

the LWF Commission on World Mission. 1954 was the year of the culmination of missionary

assistance and the beginning of Indian leadership. In 1966 episcopacy was adopted. At present the

JELC consists of 143,000 members spread over 96 parishes in 926 villages. Apart from the

establishment of a number of schools and training institutes for the tribal children, the JELC’s

sustaining work in the emancipation of the status of the aboriginals is commendable. Initiatives such

as Research and Development, Mapping of Resource, Identification of Training Need, Identification

of Model Parishes, Infrastructure Development, Constitution Amendment, Environmental Concerns,

and Dialogue with People of Other Faiths are presently undertaken by JELC.

The Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC)

The NELC is principally spread over four North

Eastern states in India: Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh,

Bengal, and Assam. The majority of its members

belong to the Santals, Boros, Bengalis, and Biharis

The beginnings of this church can be traced back

to the year 1867 when two missionaries, the

Norwegian Lars Olsen Skrefsrud (1840–1910) and

the Danish Hans Peter Boerresen (1825–1901)

started evangelizing the Santals. Both Skrefsrud and

Boerresen had been working with the German

Gossner Missionary Society. In 1867 they left Gossner society on their own and began to work

among the Santals. While Skrefsrud gave the mission its dynamic character and resolute sense of

purpose, Boerresen became great fundraiser for the mission. There was some support of work with

the Santals by American Lutherans for this mission. The World Mission Prayer League voted in 1891

to form the American Board of the Norwegian Santal Mission. In 1904 they sent missionaries to

work in that field. As early as 1900, the Santal Christians themselves organized a mission society to

help with expanding work.

The services of the Lutheran mission brought to the Santals several opportunities for the

advancement of their socioeconomic conditions. The government made about 25 square miles of

land for a leper colony. The mission leadership was able to convert the land for farming. The tea

estate owned by the mission is a unique economic project which furnishes employment and

income.

In the middle of the twentieth century the NELC witnessed and benefitted from the outstanding

service of Olav and Britt Waagbo Hodne, a Norwegian couple. The Norwegian Santal Mission sent

them to work in the newly independent India in 1948. The then-Ebenezer Evangelical Lutheran

Church commissioned them to be missionaries in Cooch Bihar, West Bengal, in today’s Bangladesh.

The population in this region swelled, though not very fertile, because of the refugees running away

from present-day Bangladesh. Hodne worked among these refugees first through the Bengal Service

and then with the LWF Department of World Service. After Bangladesh’s independence in 1971,

Hodne became director of the LWF Rangpur Dinajpur Rehabilitation Service in Bangladesh, assisting

the refugees to return to their former homes. The refugee services were later expanded to several

districts in Bangladesh as well as in India under the new name Lutheran World Service-India. Hodne

became its director and served in the states of Bihar and Orissa. Britt Waagbo Hodne, Olav’s wife,

founded a school for blind children in Cooch Bihar in 1965 and was its principal for a number of

years. Besides providing the NELC with advanced methods of work among blind children, putting to

work her degrees in both special education and Christian education, she wrote an instruction book

for confirmation, published in Santali and Bengali.

The NELC benefitted from a number of lesser luminaries hailing from abroad as well as locally. The

most prominent local leader was Rev. Munshi M. Tudu. He led the NELC for nearly three decades

(1958–1987). His wife Elbina was a delegate to the Vancouver Assembly of WCC (1983) and

elected to the WCC Central Committee. Before it received its current name in 1958, the NELC was

known by two other names: the Indian Home Mission to the Santals and later Ebenezer Lutheran

Church.

No other Lutheran church in India has such a diverse membership as the NELC. The Santals, living

west of the Ganges River in Bihar, northeast Assam, and the plains of northwest Bengal, form the

majority. No wonder that this mission was originally called “the India Home Mission to the Santals.”

The Boros living in Assam are the second linguistic group. They are of Mongolian descent. Bengalis

were the third major group. There also has converts from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds.

At the moment, the NELC has 85,000 members spread over 453 pastorates. Besides running a

number of colleges, schools, hospitals and dispensaries, it focuses on development programs such as

Agricultural Development, Irrigational Projects, and the Construction of Community Infrastructure

and Emergency Relief.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan States (ELCITHS)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan

States was created in November 2003. The Bodo

Evangelical Diocese, the Assam Evangelical Lutheran

Church, the Eastern Evangelical Lutheran Church,

and the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church,

Manipur, came together to constitute the ELCITHS. In

four dioceses it brings together five distinct ethnic

communities: the Bodos, the Assamese and the

Oriyas in the Himalayan States, the Zomis of North

East India, and the Manipuris. The amalgamation of

these churches with its rich experiences in its own ministerial fields has enriched the activities of

ELCITHS. It has a combined membership of around 30,000.

Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church

Good Samaritan Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian

denomination in India. It has about 40,000 members. Its

headquarters is in Bhadrachalam, Madhya Pradesh. It has been

founded in 1972. The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society

is the largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services in

America. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Society

operates more than 250 centres throughout the United States.

The Society’s founder, Reverend August “Dad” Hoeger,

incorporated the society in 1922. The first home was opened in

Arthur, North Dakota on March 1, 1923. Since then, the Society has grown to operate over 250

centres and employ more than 24,000 people.

VI. GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIONS:

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