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15 of the Major Church Denominations in Australia
We take a look at some of the Christian church denominations in Australia and consider what makes them unique in how they operate and their areas of focus.
Christian Denominations in Australia
There are many different Christian denominations in Australia. Some are large, and well-known in the wider community (like the Anglican or Catholic Churches). Some are smaller and less well-known outside the Church itself (like the Church of the Nazarene, or the Brethren Church). Some church denominations in Australia have a significant presence in many parts of Australia, while others are concentrated more locally. Some have many local Church congregations, while others have only a few. Some Christian church denominations run large, active community service activities (like schools, aged care, hospitals, disability services, etc.) while others are focused primarily on the life of the local faith community. And some local churches describe themselves as “non-denominational” – they’re independent and while identifying with the whole Christian church, aren’t a part of a particular group or denomination at all.
Each denomination is part of the wider, global ‘body of Christ’. Christians in all different denominations seek to love and serve God, growing and living as disciples of Jesus Christ. Each denomination, while sharing and identifying with the whole Christian church, operates slightly differently, has different areas of focus, and while sharing a common core beliefs of Christianity, can even believe slightly different things.
Before we take a look at some of the different Christian denominations in Australia and what makes them unique, let’s first consider the three major global branches of the Christian church as these are the foundations for the different denominations.
Laurieton-Bonny Hills Uniting Church, NSW
Major Branches of the Church
Globally, there are three major branches of the Christian Church: the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. Each has a distinctive history and they have separated from one another over differing beliefs or practices, often over extended periods.
Orthodox Churches
History
- Divided from Western churches around 1050 over theological and cultural differences
- Often named for nationality or cultural identity
Polity
- Bishops appoint male priests to lead local churches
- Teams of Bishops lead the whole church
- Deacons help the church meet practical needs
- No ordination of women
Generally demand celibacy for ordained leaders
Distinctives
- A highly liturgical or traditional style of worship
- Orthodox Bible similar to Roman Catholic Bible but with some additions
In Australia
- Multiple branches including Greek, Syrian, Russian, Coptic, Romanian, Ukrainian and so on. Most commonly found in major population centres
Roman Catholic Church
History
- Continued after Orthodox (1050) and Protestant (1500’s) divisions
- Based in Vatican City, and claims an unbroken line of papal succession since Peter
Polity
- Led by the Pope, part of the worldwide Catholic Church
- Regional authority with Bishops who appoint priests
- No ordination of women
- Catholic or religious orders (nuns, monks) for particular purposes
- Generally demand celibacy for ordained leaders
Distinctives
- A highly liturgical or traditional style of worship.
- Praying to Mary and the Saints
- Roman Catholic Bible is similar to the Protestant but with some additions
- 7 special sacraments including distinctive views of Holy Communion
In Australia
- Largest single Christian denomination in Australia, some 20% of the population identifying as Catholic
- Congregations, schools and community service agencies in communities across the country
Protestant Churches
History
- Separated from the Catholic Church in the 1500s over theological differences, Papacy, and practices in a period known as the Reformation.
- Further separation has continued along theological, cultural and practical lines
Polity
- Different denominations have very different polity and organisation
- Some are led by Archbishops or Bishops, some by elected councils, and some emphasise the independence of the local church
- Different practices on the ordination of women
- Usually do not insist on the celibacy of ordained leaders
Distinctives
- A high degree of diversity in the style of worship, from traditional to contemporary
- Various views on the number and identity of sacraments
- Distinguish from Catholic Church with emphasis on scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone as being identifying marks
In Australia
- Many protestant denominations active in Australia
- Protestant churches operate local church congregations, schools, and community service agencies across the country
- Sometimes divided into “mainline” denominations such as Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Uniting, and “evangelical” denominations such as Baptist, Australian Christian Churches, Church of Christ and others
- Includes the branch of churches known as Pentecostal Churches with a stronger emphasis on the presence and work of the Holy Spirit
Major Christian Denominations in Australia
As well as those differences between the major global branches of Christianity, there are distinct denominations (or groups) operating within Australia.
One (somewhat simplistic) way to think of a denomination is like a brand. Different car manufacturers all produce cars, utes, people movers and SUVs, but each takes on a slightly different flavour depending on the philosophy of the manufacturer.
Some of the major church denominations in Australia are listed below, however this list in not conclusive and there are also some non-denominational churches which have not been included here.
Description
- Part of the global family of the Church of England
- Extensive network of congregations across Australia, ranging from conservative to progressive in theology, and traditional to contemporary in worship style. Organised into 23 Dioceses across Australia, led by a Diocesan Bishop supported by a team of clergy and lay people.
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- A wide diversity in theology and doctrine from conservative to progressive.
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches, extensive school and community service networks across all of Australia
Description
- Acts Global Churches is a second-generation name for the Apostolic Church Australia.
- Grew out of a revival movement in Wales in the early twentieth century
- Adopt what the church describes as a biblical pattern of leadership and government designed to equip all God’s people for service and ministry.
- Active in Australia since the 1920s
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices, tending toward contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Predominantly in major cities in south and east of Australia
Description
- The largest Australian movement of Pentecostal Churches in voluntary cooperation.
- Individual local churches are self-governing but committed to working together
- Grew out of The Assemblies of God in Australia (est 1937) adopting a new name in 2007. Currently over 1000 churches
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant and Pentecostal theology and beliefs
- Generally contemporary worship
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches connected to the network, located in communities across Australia
- Local churches operating a range of community service initiatives
Description
- Over 1000 autonomous local Baptist Churches cooperating in state-based Unions and serving every part of Australia
- Confession of Jesus Christ as Lord is the foundation of the movement, with shared Biblical beliefs and practices for congregational life, Christian living, and outreach.
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diversity of worship practice, tending toward contemporary
- Local churches operate with autonomy in terms of leadership, style, worship and ministry
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches and extensive community service networks across all of Australia
Description
- Part of the global Roman Catholic Church
- Organised in Australia into 33 dioceses, each led by a bishop
- Extensive networks of religious orders alongside local churches, schools and community service agencies
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional Roman Catholic in theology and doctrine
- Generally traditional Roman Catholic in worship practice
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches, extensive school and community service networks across all of Australia
Description
- A movement arising from the protestant reformation in the 16th century.
- Christian Reformed Churches Australia continues to strive to support churches that ground their faith and life completely in God’s word.
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Churches in the reformed tradition share several key values. These are Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone, and the overarching commitment that all of life should be directed to God’s glory alone.
Locations/Extent
- Approximately 50 congregations, predominantly in capital cities
Description
- A movement of affiliated local churches founded on the teachings and values of Jesus Christ.
- Built on several shared principles, including the saying from Saint Augustine, used by John Wesley and other Christian leaders: “In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love”
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Widespread networks of local churches, and community service networks across all of Australia – but strongest in Queensland and Victoria
Description
- Emerged from the Wesleyan Holiness tradition in the 18th Century Methodist revival in the UK, together with early 19th C Holiness movement in US
- An evangelical Christian denomination, its name comes from the biblical description of Jesus Christ, who had been raised in the village of Nazareth (and was regarded consequently as “a Nazarene”)”
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Approximately 40 local churches, across different parts of Australia
Description
- One of the largest Protestant denominiations in the world, with over 70 million members
- Widespread presence across Australia including local Churches, schools and community agencies
- Local congregations cooperate in a national network, with shared governance, vision and mission, interpreted and expressed locally
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches, extensive school and community service networks across all of Australia
Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist and Chinese Methodist
Description
- Relatively small denominations related to the global Methodist and Wesleyan Methodist movements. Roots date back to John Wesley, a key figure in the 18th C revivals in the UK
- At heart, Wesleyan Churches continue to pursue the message of the Holiness movement: the message of perfect love, which is to love God with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our strength and our neighbour as our self. (Mark 12:30-31 NIV)
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Dozens of local churches located throughout Australia
- Smaller number of Chinese Methodist Church congregations located in larger population areas
- A small number of “Free Methodist” congregations
Orthodox (Greek, Serbian, Coptic, Russian, Syrian, Romanian etc.)
Description
- Churches belonging to the eastern orthodox traditions, usually connected with migrant and ethnic communities in major population centres
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional Orthodox in theology and doctrine
- Generally traditional Orthodox in worship practice
Locations/Extent
- Dozens of Orthodox Churches located in mainly in major population centres throughout Australia
Description
- Formed in Australia in 1901 from a number of Presbyterian congregations throughout the country. Approx ⅔ of congregations merged with Congregational and Methodist denominations in 1977 to form the Uniting Church
- Holds strongly to the Bible as its rule of faith and life, seeks to bring glory to God, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are lost, both here in Australia and elsewhere
- Firmly committed to the Reformed faith as the most consistent presentation and outworking of Biblical Christianity
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Dozens of local churches, extensive school and community service networks across all of Australia
Description
- A worldwide Christian church whose faith nurtures the conviction that us that hope, purpose and fulfilment can be everyone’s story
- Local churches offer a community of faith, and are the basis on which the Salvos extensive community services are built
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Dozens of local churches, extensive school and community service networks across all of Australia
Description
- Part of the global Adventist movement, believe that God loves the world and He wants us to do the same
- Committed to sharing God’s love, helping people get to know God, grow spiritually and serve others in practical ways
- Accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Generally traditional protestant theology and beliefs
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches, along with school and community service networks across all of Australia
Description
- Foundation describing in defining theological statement “The Basis of Union”
- Formed in 1977 as the union of Congregational, Methodist and approx ⅔ of Presbyterian congregations in Australia
- Committed to following Jesus, working for justice, growing as disciples and serving communities across Australia and beyond
- Progressive in theological terms
Theology, Worship, Distinctives
- Wide diversity in theology and doctrine from conservative to progressive (tending toward the progressive)
- Diverse worship practices from traditional to contemporary
- Firm commitment to the ordination of women
- Significant commitment to covenant relationship with Australia’s First Peoples
- Open to diversity of sexuality with multiple ‘affirming’
Locations/Extent
- Hundreds of local churches, extensive school and community service networks across all of Australia
Scott Guyatt is a writer, speaker, trainer, and facilitator who has served the church in Australia for more than two decades. Scott’s experience includes helping the church explore mission, discipleship and leadership practices in local communities across the country.
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