Types of Christian Church Denominations
With over 1200 churches in Melbourne, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to find a church.
Every church is different in its approach (and even its beliefs), so how do you find the best church for you?
Here we’ve listed the 10 most popular denominations of churches in Ringwood to help you on your hunt for a place to worship and grow in your faith.
1) Pentecostal churches
What is a Pentecostal church?
A Pentecostal church is known for its emphasis on a relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal churches are not all under the same denomination or umbrella, so there is a wide variation in the types and styles of worship within the term ‘Pentecostal’.
Pentecostal churches tend to be modern, enthusiastic churches, often known for their contemporary worship music and services. C3 Powerhouse Melbourne East is a Pentecostal congregation.
About: C3 Powerhouse Melbourne East is a vibrant church in Ringwood, with programs for children, youth, young adults and adults. They meet on Sundays at 10am, and have a warm, welcoming team out in the car park ready to greet and help you find your way around. Their vision is to see lives transformed and are passionate about people finding a relationship with God, and a church community to call family.
2) Baptist churches
What is a Baptist church?
The fundamental basis of a Baptist church is its belief in Baptism later in life once someone has chosen to follow Jesus. While many other Christian churches practice this, this was historically the founding where the Baptist church began.
Every Baptist church is autonomous, meaning that they vary in areas like vision, worship style and services. Key hallmarks of a Baptist church include congregational worship, Bible teaching and a focus on Christian living and outreach.
3) Methodist churches
What is a Methodist church?
The Methodist church began in the 18th-Century, founded by John Wesley who was seeking to reform the Church of England. Methodist churches believe strongly in a personal relationship with God through simplicity of worship, with services involving liturgical and spontaneous patterns, often using the Book of Common Prayer.
4) Anglican churches
What is an Anglican church?
The Anglican church is one of the third largest Christian churches that practice communion, after the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. The two most important beliefs they hold are the trinity of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), and the deity of Jesus Christ as both man and God. With a rich history, Anglican churches often have large, traditional church buildings, and follow liturgical services with Holy Communion.
5) Lutheran churches
What is a Lutheran church?
The Lutheran church started in the 16th Century through the theology of Martin Luther. They are very similar to traditional Catholic churches, but the key difference in their beliefs is that Lutherans view Christ as the head of the church, while Catholics insist on good works being required for salvation.
A Lutheran service is very conservative and uses alters, specially dressed clergy and follows a liturgical structure.
6) Presbyterian churches
What is a Presbyterian church?
Presbyterian churches broke off from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1600’s. They follow what is called a ‘reformed theology’, and are often quite conservative in their worship style, with corporate communion and congregational worship and prayer.
7) Uniting Churches
What is a Uniting Church?
The Uniting Church began in the 1970s as a union between the Methodist Church of Australasia, a large portion of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and a number of other traditional churches. The worship style is therefore quite similar to the conservative nature of Methodist and Presbyterian churches. A hallmark of this Church is its commitment to social justice and working in the community.
8) Church Of Christ
What is the Church of Christ?
The Church of Christ is a movement of independent churches, so each church will vary in their application of their faith and how they worship. They practice congregational worship, prayer and preach messages directly from the Bible.
9) Salvation Army Churches
What is a Salvation Army church?
The Salvation Army was derived historically from the Methodist church and is now a large, worldwide church. They are known for their focus on bringing salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry, supporting people’s physical needs with practical help. They are renowned for their charity op-shops, homeless shelters and disaster relief campaigns.
10) Catholic Church
What is a Catholic church?
The Catholic church was previously known as the Roman Catholic Church, and the original, historical Christian church. They follow an extremely traditional service style, with liturgy and the Eucharist, which is also called Mass. Through the leadership of the priest, they recite prayers and readings from the Bible and receive communion together.
How to find the right church in Ringwood for you?
Every church is different and will provide a different worship experience, so sometimes the best way to find the right church is to start visiting churches that have a warm welcome for new people.
If you are nervous about visiting a new church, you can reach out and connect with them beforehand, either by calling their church office or finding them on social media. Online, you can see more about what they are like, and what they do, and can ask any questions you have.
A hallmark of all Christian churches is that they should be welcoming of new visitors and open to the community, so if you are considering going to church – don’t hesitate to take the step, at C3 Powerhouse, we invite you to join us at our Ringwood campus.
