Article by Scott Roberts
If you have searched for churches online, you have probably come across terms like "Evangelical," "Baptist," "Pentecostal," "Reformed," "liturgical," "charismatic," "non-denominational," and many others. For people unfamiliar with church history or Christian terminology, these words can sometimes feel confusing or overwhelming.
Some of these terms describe theological beliefs. Others describe worship style, church structure, spiritual emphases, or historical traditions. While labels can sometimes be helpful, they should never completely replace carefully examining what a church actually teaches and believes.
What Does "Evangelical" Mean?
Historically, the word "Evangelical" comes from the word evangel, meaning "good news" or "Gospel."" Evangelical Christians have traditionally emphasized several core beliefs:
- The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
- Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
- People must personally repent and trust in Christ.
- Jesus Christ truly rose bodily from the dead.
- Christians are called to share the Gospel with others.
Historically, Evangelical Christianity strongly emphasized conversion, biblical authority, evangelism, discipleship, and the centrality of the cross of Christ.
In modern culture, however, the word “Evangelical” has sometimes become politically or culturally loaded. Because of this, some churches still strongly hold Evangelical beliefs but may not publicly use the term very often anymore.
What is a Baptist Church?
Baptist churches generally emphasize the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith, congregational church governance, and believer's baptism rather than infant baptism. Baptists believe baptism should follow a person's conscious profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Baptist churches can vary in style and theology. Some are more traditional and liturgical, while others are contemporary and modern in presentation.
What is a Pentecostal Church?
Pentecostal churches emphasize the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit, including spiritual gifts such as tongues, prophecy, healing, and expressive worship. Pentecostal churches often place a strong emphasis on prayer, revival, passionate worship, evangelism, and spiritual experience.
Some Pentecostal churches are very emotionally expressive in worship, while others are more reserved.
What Does "Reformed" Mean?
Reformed theology traces much of its historical roots to the Protestant Reformation and teachers such as John Calvin. Reformed churches strongly emphasize the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace, and careful biblical teaching.
Reformed churches are often deeply focused on doctrine, expository preaching, theology, discipleship, and the historic teachings of Christianity.
What Does "Liturgical" Mean?
Liturgical churches follow a more structured and formal order of worship. Services may include formal prayers, Scripture readings, creeds, responsive readings, communion, robes, church calendars, and historic patterns of worship.
Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic, and Orthodox churches are often more liturgical in style than many modern Evangelical churches.
What Does "Charismatic" Mean?
Charismatic churches emphasize the ongoing work and gifts of the Holy Spirit, similar to Pentecostal churches. However, charismatic beliefs can exist across many denominations rather than only within Pentecostalism itself.
Some Baptist, non-denominational, Anglican, and other churches may also identify as charismatic, or exhibit traits of a charasmatic church.
What is an Anglican Church?
Anglican churches trace their roots to the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion. Anglicanism historically attempted to preserve elements of both Protestant Reformation theology and older liturgical church traditions.
Anglican churches are often known for structured worship services, Scripture readings, historic creeds, communion, church calendars, and liturgical traditions. Some Anglican churches are strongly Evangelical and conservative theologically, while others are more progressive or theologically liberal.
Because Anglican churches can vary significantly, it is important to examine the specific beliefs and teaching of an individual church rather than assuming every Anglican church is identical.
What is a Presbyterian Church?
Presbyterian churches are rooted in the Protestant Reformation and are historically associated with Reformed theology and leaders such as John Calvin and John Knox. Presbyterian churches strongly emphasize the authority of Scripture, careful biblical teaching, and the sovereignty of God.
The name "Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word for "elder," since Presbyterian churches are typically governed by groups of elders rather than a single bishop or independent congregational structure.
Some Presbyterian churches are highly traditional in worship style, while others are more contemporary. Like many denominations, theological positions can vary significantly between Presbyterian groups and individual churches.
What is the Roman Catholic Church?
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest historic Christian tradition in the world and traces its institutional history back many centuries. Roman Catholicism places strong emphasis on church tradition, sacraments, apostolic succession, church authority, and the leadership of the Pope. Roman Catholic worship is highly liturgical and sacramental, often centered around the Mass, communion, prayer traditions, church calendars, and historic forms of worship.
Protestants and Evangelicals differ significantly from Roman Catholicism on several important theological issues, including the authority of Scripture, justification by faith alone, the role of church tradition, prayers involving Mary and the saints, and the nature of salvation itself.
While Roman Catholics identify as Christian, these theological differences have been deeply debated throughout church history and remain important areas of disagreement between Catholics and many Protestant and Evangelical churches today.
What is an Orthodox Church?
Eastern Orthodox churches trace their history to the early centuries of Christianity and are especially prominent in regions such as Eastern Europe, Greece, Russia, and the Middle East. Orthodox Christianity strongly emphasizes historic continuity, liturgy, sacraments, ancient church tradition, and the writings of early church leaders.
Orthodox worship services are often highly formal, symbolic, and visually rich, including icons, chanting, incense, robes, and ancient liturgical practices.
Like Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity differs from Protestant and Evangelical Christianity on several important theological issues, including church authority, tradition, justification, and the role of sacraments.
Orthodox churches are often deeply rooted in historical continuity and ancient worship practices, and many Orthodox believers strongly value preserving historic Christian tradition and liturgical life.
What is a Non-Denominational Church?
Non-denominational churches are independent churches that do not formally belong to a larger historic denomination. Many emphasize practical Bible teaching, contemporary worship, evangelism, and local church autonomy.
Some non-denominational churches are strongly Evangelical. Others may lean more Pentecostal, Baptist-like, seeker-sensitive, or charismatic. Because non-denominational churches vary widely, it is especially important to review their beliefs carefully.
What Does "Mainline" Mean?
The term "mainline" generally refers to older historic Protestant denominations that became especially influential in North America during the 1800s and 1900s. Examples often include denominations such as the United Church, Anglican Church, Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and Methodist traditions.
Historically, many mainline churches once strongly affirmed core biblical doctrines and played major roles in education, missions, hospitals, charity work, and public life. However, over time, many mainline denominations became increasingly theologically liberal, often questioning or reinterpreting biblical authority, miracles, sexual ethics, the exclusivity of Christ, and other historic Christian doctrines.
Today, some churches still use the term "mainline" mainly as a historical or denominational category, while others use it to describe churches that are generally more progressive theologically and culturally.
It is important to understand that not every individual church within a broader denomination is identical. Some churches within historically mainline traditions may still hold strongly to biblical authority and historic Christian doctrine, while others may not.
Because many historically mainline denominations have experienced significant theological liberalism over time, Durham Region Churches does not necessarily include every church traditionally categorized as "mainline" Protestant. The directory primarily focuses on churches that broadly affirm historic biblical Christianity and core Christian doctrines. You can read more about this on our Editorial Standards page and in our FAQs.
What is the Difference Between Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant?
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches all claim historical connection to Christianity, but they differ significantly in doctrine, authority, worship practices, and church structure.
Protestants generally emphasize salvation by grace through faith alone and the authority of Scripture alone as the final authority.
Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches place much greater emphasis on church tradition, formal liturical style of services, historical authority structures, sacraments, and apostolic continuity.
Labels Can Help, But Scripture Matters Most
Church labels can sometimes help explain a church's background or general theology, but labels alone do not tell the full story. Two churches using the same label may still differ significantly in doctrine, worship style, leadership, and biblical faithfulness.
Ultimately, Christians should evaluate churches through the lens of Scripture itself. The clearest questions are often the most important:
- Is the Gospel clearly taught?
- Is the Bible treated as authoritative?
- Is Jesus Christ central?
- Is the church encouraging spiritual growth and discipleship?
- Does the leadership appear biblically grounded and humble?
If you are currently searching for a church, you may also find our guide on What to Look for in a Church helpful.