The global church

Christian Traditions Around the World

The one church of Jesus Christ is expressed through many great families of tradition: the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, the ancient Oriental Orthodox churches (Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Syriac), and the many Protestant traditions, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Evangelical, along with the African Independent Churches and countless local expressions. They differ in worship and in some beliefs, and those differences are real, yet all confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Many families, one confession

When people meet the church in another country, they often meet a tradition they have never seen: a Coptic liturgy in an ancient tongue, a silent Quaker meeting, a thunderous Pentecostal service, a solemn Orthodox vigil. These are not rival religions but members of one family, each carrying real treasures of worship and faithfulness. The differences among them are real and worth understanding honestly, and this page describes them without ranking any above another.

The traditions here

Here are the great families of the global church, described as fairly as a short page can. Each is vast and varied within itself. None is placed here above or below another.

The Catholic Church

The largest single communion, led by the Bishop of Rome, present on every continent and expressed through both the Latin rite and many Eastern Catholic churches.

Eastern Orthodoxy

The ancient churches of the Greek, Slavic, and other Eastern traditions, such as the Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, and Antiochian Orthodox, keeping the liturgy and the councils of the first millennium.

Oriental Orthodoxy

The oldest churches of the East, including the Coptic (Egypt), Ethiopian and Eritrean, Armenian Apostolic, and Syriac Orthodox, each with its own ancient language, calendar, and rite.

Anglican and Episcopal churches

A worldwide communion born in England and now strongest in Africa, holding together sacramental worship and the open Bible.

Lutheran churches

Rooted in the Reformation of Martin Luther, strong in Germany and Scandinavia and, today, very numerous in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and across Africa and Asia.

Reformed and Presbyterian churches

The tradition of Calvin and the Reformation, from the Church of Scotland to large churches in Korea, Africa, and the Americas.

Baptist churches

Congregations gathered around believer's baptism and the local church, widespread across the Americas, Africa, and beyond.

Methodist and Wesleyan churches

Born in the revival of John Wesley, marked by warm-hearted faith and works of mercy, and now global.

Pentecostal and Charismatic churches

The fastest-growing stream, emphasizing the Holy Spirit, prayer, and healing, immense across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Evangelical and nondenominational churches

A wide family centered on the Gospel, the Bible, and personal faith in Christ, crossing many denominations.

African Independent (Initiated) Churches

Thousands of churches founded and led by Africans, such as the Aladura and Zion and Kimbanguist churches, giving African expression to the faith in Christ.

Countless local expressions

House churches, village congregations, minority communities, and new movements, in every language under heaven, each a real part of the one Body.

This is not a ladder to be climbed but a family to be loved. The apostle prayed that all who follow Jesus would be one, as he and the Father are one, so that the world might believe.

Why the differences?

The traditions took shape over two thousand years, through the great councils of the early centuries, the split between East and West, the Reformation, and the worldwide movements of more recent times. Christians hold different convictions about worship, authority, and the sacraments, and it would be dishonest to pretend those differences do not matter. Yet the oldest creeds, confessed across almost all of them, hold the same Christ: crucified, risen, and Lord. That is the ground on which the family stands.

Find community

Reading about the church is good. Belonging to it is better. Here are honest doors into the living communities behind these words, and into a church near you.

Meet Jesus in your language

The Gospel has never belonged to one nation or one tongue. From the first day the Spirit came, people heard the wonderful works of God each in their own language, and that is still the heart of the church. Wherever you are, and whatever words you pray in, Jesus draws near.

More languages are opening over time. If your language is not here yet, the Gospel of John and an honest prayer in your own words are a good place to begin.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main Christian traditions?

The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, the Oriental Orthodox churches (Coptic, Ethiopian, Armenian, Syriac), and the Protestant traditions: Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Evangelical, along with African Independent and local churches.

Which Christian tradition is the true one?

This page does not rank the traditions or set one above another. They differ in worship and in some beliefs, and those differences are real, yet across almost all of them Christians confess the same Christ, crucified, risen, and Lord.

Why are there so many Christian traditions?

They took shape over two thousand years, through the early councils, the split between East and West, the Reformation, and worldwide movements since. Christians hold different convictions, yet the oldest creeds hold the same Jesus.