The word "church" does not refer to the building that people go to on Sunday mornings. Technically, the word that we derive "church" from does not even refer to the people attending. In its original Greek form, ekklesia, the word meant "a gathering." Further, breaking the word down to its components will give us "called together out of." It is used in the New Testament as referring to God's people, and it means the people called out of the kingdom of the world - and into the kingdom of God. Anyone who has placed their faith in Christ is part of the universal church, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13).

When used of a specific location, or group of believers the "church" refers to that group in that place. This is the local church. When we speak of going "to church" we are going "to gather ourselves." And we gather because we are "called out" together. Entering the church building is not "going to church" unless you are a believer.

Why are there so many churches?

The answer depends on what is meant by "church." There is only one universal ("catholic") church, and it is made up of every believer on earth (NOTE: "catholic" does not mean "Roman Catholic", the word means "universal"). So there are not many churches, there is only one. However, if it is being used to refer to "local" churches then the answer is rather obvious - there are many different people. These different people express their faith differently, and most feel more comfortable worshipping with like-minded people. Further, all Christian denominations believe the same basic, foundational truths of Christianity. Some may emphasize one teaching over another, certain sacraments more than another, or differ in their methods of government. That does not make them enemies, or place them outside orthodoxy. To better understand where all the denominations came from I offer the following "Family Tree" of Christian churches:

What about Sects, Denominations and Cults?

There are, of course, many steps in between the major splits and other groups springing from each major branch. These are not different religions because each is centered on one or more ultimate beliefs about life. Some may be considered sects: groups that accept all of the essential doctrines of the Christianity, but divide over major dogmas (like Roman Catholics and Protestants). Within these groups are denominations: groups that also accept all of the essential doctrines of Christianity, but simply disagree on secondary dogmas within traditional boundaries (like Presbyterians and Pentecostals). So long as a group does not deny any essential doctrine of Christianity then they are still Christian (if not, they are either another religion or a cult). Note, however, that what has always defined the true Christian Church is faith in the true Christ.

To view the doctrinal statements of some of the major denominations and other popular groups, click below. These are by no means exhaustive:

• Assemblies of God
• The Amish
• Baptists (Southern)
• Baptists (Other)
• Calvary Chapel
• Eastern Orthodox
• Episcopalian
• Lutheran Church (St. Paul's - with LINK to E.L.C.A.)
• Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)
• Mennonite
• Methodist
• Pentecostal
• Presbyterian
• Quakers
• Roman Catholic
• Seventh Day Adventists