Different UK Churches

There are a number of different church denominations within the UK and all have different believes and customs on how to worship and live as a Christian. Because of this, ther servives and rules with regards to baptism and christening may vary.

Below is a brief description of some of the more popular churches in no poarticular order.

Anglican/Church of England Churches

The Church of England is the established church in England and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It traces its origins to the earliest days of Christianity in England, and since that time has become an integral part of national life.

Today, the Church of England is a broad church, offering a wide spectrum of different styles of worship. Through its parish churches, the Church of England offers ministry and support not just to its congregations but to every single community where it seeks to bear witness to the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

United Reformed/ Presbyterian Churches

Formed in 1972 by the union of the Congregational Church in England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England. Theologically, the United Reformed Church is a broad church. Its membership embraces congregations of evangelical, charismatic and liberal understandings of the Christian faith. Though one of the smaller of Britain´s `mainstream´ denominations, the United Reformed Church stands in the historic Reformed tradition, whose member denominations make up the largest single strand of Protestantism with more than 70 million members world-wide.

It holds to the Trinitarian faith expressed in the historic Christian creeds and finds its supreme authority for faith and conduct in the Word of God in the Bible, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Roman Catholic

A Christian church dating back to the Apostles of Jesus Christ in the 1st century AD, characterised by a highly developed doctrinal and organisational structure. The church hierarchy, consisting of the offices of bishop, priest and deacon, is dominated by the Pope - the church's supreme jurisdictional power whose teachings on faith and morals are deemed infallible. Unlike Protestants, Catholics believe in revelation through miracles including transubstantiation (the literal transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at Communion), in addition to the scriptures. Besides baptism and the Eucharist, practising Catholics maintain sacraments of penance, marriage, holy orders, confirmation and anointing of the sick. Other, non-liturgical practices include devotion to the saints, in particular the Virgin Mary.



Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland was founded in 1560 along Calvinist principles, and grew out of the Reformation led by John Knox. In 1690 it developed a Presbyterian form of church government - a collective that includes both clergy and non-clerical elders. It is the established (state) church in Scotland, but the Queen is not the head of the Church - unlike in Anglicanism. The Church has no set prayer-book or order of service; communion is generally celebrated only occasionally. Scripture readings, singing and the sermon are key elements of worship. Festivals, even Easter, are given less prominence than in many other Christian denominations. The Church opposes gambling and advocates temperance . It permits the remarriage of divorced members, and since 1968 has included female ministers and elders.

Baptist Churches

Baptists form the fifth largest Christian church in the world with about 40 million members worldwide. It traces it origins to the 16th century when a Church of England minister, John Smyth, performed a radical and scandalous act of baptising himself and the congregation.

Those baptised by the Baptist are fully immersed in water and the Baptist Church does not allow infant baptism. This is because they believe that baptism is for believers only - those who can personally declare Jesus as Lord. Baptists believe that the Bible shows us God's way for living. Baptists are congregational: each church is self-governing and self-supporting.


Methodist Church

The Methodist Church is the fourth largest Christian Church in Britain.
Methodists stand within the Protestant tradition of the worldwide Christian Church and are traditionally known as non-conformist. Methodism has its roots in eighteenth century Anglicanism. Its founder, John Wesley, was a priest of the Church of England, who challenged the Church of his day to reach out with the gospel to the working classes in Britain´s industrial heartlands.

Methodist churches vary in their style of worship during services. The emphasis is often on Bible reading and preaching, although hymn singing is a significant aspect of Methodist services. (John Wesley´s brother, Charles, was a prolific hymn-writer.) Although alcohol is not allowed in Methodist Church buildings, most Methodists consider responsible drinking to be a matter of personal morality.