Evolution of Christian Denominations

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

I'm doing some research for two things simultaneously right now. One is that I'm giving the sermon on Sunday. The other is for my book. I discovered that a lot of people in my church don't know the difference between different denominations and really don't understand what Presbyterians believe. (It doesn't help that we do not have a Presbyterian pastor.) So, I thought a little basic "This is a Presbyterian" as my sermon.

The other reason I'm researching this is that I think I can use it in my novel. I use a made-up Christian denomination which is Protestant and occasionally mention another which I never name, but is clearly Catholic. Anyway, I wanted to get some idea what my made-up denomination believes. So far, its beliefs are what is convenient to the story.

So, here is a handy chart of how the denominations evolved. It does not get into the other breaks. For example, it stops at Presbyterian. It does not break it down into PCUSA, PCA, Evangelical Presbyterian, Orthodox Presbyterian, or any of the others. I was pretty thrilled that this chart includes Eastern Christians. Note: it does not include Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and other such groups.

I may add more to this thread as I find it (for those who are interested).

Source: http://truthforsaints.com/Christian_Denominations/denomination_history/denomination_history.html

 

[mei lan]

Interesting - Church of England to Methodist to Salvation Army to International Foursquare to Calvary Chapel...Calvary Chapel is the real deal.

 

[mei lan]

Speaking of Methodists, John and Charles Wesley were the real deals also.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

I don't like the way this is laid out, but here is a diagram of the various Presbyterian versions.

 

[LisaC]

Will you talk about the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians? I believe that is the group that was created when several Presbyterian churches decided to no longer affiliate with PCUSA.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

Will you talk about the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians? I believe that is the group that was created when several Presbyterian churches decided to no longer affiliate with PCUSA.

This is a topic for a future time. I think I need to start very basic: what is a Presbyterian and why is a Presbyterian different from (or the same as) other churches in the area.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

Here is another interesting family tree although it is clearly biased:

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

And here is a "What denomination am I?" chart:

 

[Madea]

Interesting

 

[mei lan]

Mars Hill Presbyterian in Acworth is now an Evangelical Presbyterian Church. First Presbyterian Church in Rome is also one. That's probably closest to what I am.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

I'm back on task, and found a really useful chart. It covers every local denomination except for Seventh Day Adventists and Assembly of God. There is also an independent church, but I don't know an intelligent way to cover that one.

 

[stradial]

Here it is in a simple form.

Catholic - they are Catholic
Lutheran - got tired of being Catholic
Baptist - don't like drinking and do like being able to hire and fire their preachers, as well as splitting up every 20 yrs or so
Methodists - Baptist that don't like water
Presbyterian - they knew it was gonna happen

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

Another reference. A great movie about the Church of England and how it came about is A Man for All Seasons. It's a powerful movie about Sir Thomas More and his refusal to surrender on Catholic doctrine on divorce.

Here is a trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbZfh-5QsAw



And for those who don't know the history, this is how it all turned out (spoiler alert):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DpkNX2GxRw

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

I'm having a great time: two of my loves, data and God. This map interested me. I expected Protestantism to be predominant in most of the US. Instead, Catholicism and Pentecostalism.

Now, look at the US all by itself and you see some Protestantism. However, with only 761 people spread out over 1215 square miles in the county where my church is located, I was sure I would see Presbyterians get some love. Nope. The county also contains a Lutheran Church (which is how the county reads), a Catholic church, and an independent church. Admittedly, due to the size of the dots, we may also be covered by the grey. I was also surprised by how much the Mormons have spread out of Utah.

 

[mei lan]

I thought Pentecostals were Protestants?

 

[mei lan]

Another reference. A great movie about the Church of England and how it came about is A Man for All Seasons. It's a powerful movie about Sir Thomas More and his refusal to surrender on Catholic doctrine on divorce.

Here is a trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbZfh-5QsAw



And for those who don't know the history, this is how it all turned out (spoiler alert):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DpkNX2GxRw

I have never seen that movie...I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

I thought Pentecostals were Protestants?

They are. I was just surprised not to see Protestants other than Pentecostals.

 

[MacDaddy]

Pretty cool charts!

The first Presbyterian looks like an electronic, or computer program, flow chart.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

One more good website today. This website gives an overview of basic Christian denominations. But, what really makes it interesting is that it gives a thumbnail sketch of Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu denominations. Ever wonder what the Shiites and Sunnis are fighting over? You'll get some basics here.

http://macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/drabik10website/tools/religion-flow-chart/

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

One more. This is a thumbnail sketch of beliefs about baptism, polity, conservative/liberal, whether women can preach or lead, and contact information.

http://www.gordonconwell.edu/mentored-ministry/documents/DENOMINATIONALCHART2011-2012.pdf