Anglican practices and rituals are primarily found in the Book of Common Prayer, the prayer book of Anglicanism, which helps define Anglican beliefs and worship practices on every level. The book is almost as important as the Bible itself to Anglicans. The Book of Common Prayer, which defines the “common”
The Baptist denomination is the largest free church denomination in the world with 43 million members. It is one of the largest Protestant Free Church denominations. More than 75 percent of all Baptists – about 33 million – live in America. There are about 216,000 Baptists in Great Britain, 850,000
The Catholic Church, known as the Roman Catholic Church, has well over one billion members, about one-sixth of the world’s population. It’s the world’s largest Christian denomination. It’s also the largest organized body of any world religion. Catholics are led by the Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome,
Lutheranism is not a single entity. It is organized in autonomous regional or national churches. Globally, there are some 150 such Lutheran church bodies. Lutheranism is one of the largest Protestant denominations. It is also the oldest Protestant denomination. Lutheranism retains much of the tradition of the ancient and medieval
There are Methodist Churches in nearly every country in the world and global membership numbers about 70 million in 138 countries. The World Methodist Council (WMC), an association of churches in the Methodist tradition, comprises more than 40.5 million Methodists. There are at least 19 Wesleyan Methodist denominations in the
I leant over in the darkness and whispered to my friend, “Odysseus sure is Catholic in this, am I wrong?” I was promptly shushed. We were sitting in an old-timey cinema in St John’s, north Portland, watching Christopher Nolan’s take on The Odyssey. I am one of those over-educated types
The digital revolution has dismantled the gatekeepers of old, democratizing influence while leaving a credibility vacuum in its wake. Trust is no longer conferred institutionally but individually, and follower count is often conflated with authority. In this ever-shifting landscape, the Church faces an urgent challenge: how can we communicate our
Scot Maurine and I have been blessed to attend many temple dedications all over the world. There is nothing so joyful as seeing the Saints gather to see these beautiful Houses of the Lord dedicated and made available for the work of the dead and the living. No matter where
Scripture and Sanctification: Restored to Holiness and Love Suzanne Nicholson This article is the second in a four-week series on sanctification drawn from the webinar sponsored by the John Wesley Institute, exploring the biblical and Wesleyan vision of a life made holy by the power of God. When we think
In this episode, Jay Strother and Brian Ball continue their series through Ecclesiastes, Chasing the Wind, by turning to chapter 4:9–12. Solomon has spent much of the book labeling the world’s pursuits as hevel: futile, fleeting, like chasing wind. But he never calls relationship futile, and Jay and Brian explore
US churches healthier than expected despite ‘massive discipleship gap’ – new study American churches are receiving high marks from those who regularly enter their pews, despite new research showing that more than half of self-identifying Christians attend services less than once a month. The latest findings from the American Bible
Human impacts on the environment are a shared existential concern. Many of us feel helpless in the face of complex social-ecological issues; polar bears are going hungry, there are weird new bugs eating our cabbages, and it rains too much—or not enough. All of this can feel overwhelming, leaving us
Starting a new school year is very exciting for youngsters, but it can also be intimidating, frightening, and even lonely. I have compiled some great books that address learning, getting along with others, and dealing with feelings. The following books are all picture books and best for ages four through