Explaining some terms
Churches are pretty unfamiliar ground for many people, so we've set out some of the key terms you may come across, together with tips on how to talk to and refer to members of the clergy!
C of E, Baptist, Methodist???
These are all Christian "denominations" or groupings. There are hundreds of them, but the main ones you will come across will be:
- the Roman Catholic Church
- Church of England (or Anglicans)
- Church of Scotland
- Methodist
- Baptist
- Free Church
- Pentecostal
There are also many so-called "new churches" , which often meet in school halls or public venues. These include churches linked to the New Frontiers movement and the Pioneer movement. (Names like "Kings Church", "River of Life Church", and others are common among these groups.
Then you have the black majority churches which are often large and growing. These include Kingsway International Christian Centre which is thought to be the UK's largest church.
Most of the above churches would agree on many aspects of faith and belief. They would generally not agree with some other groups who have Christian sounding titles, such as "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" (Mormons), Christadelphians, Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Science. "The Church of Scientology" has been made popular by its celebrity adherents, such as Tom Cruise, but it is controversial and not everyone thinks of it as a church at all.
If you are not sure whether a church is "legit", best to talk to your local vicar.
So, a bit of detail about the major ones:
The Roman Catholic Church. Led by the Pope in Rome. Leaders are known as priests, and often addressed as "Father". Over them are bishops. The country is divided into "Dioceses"
The Church of England. Led by The Archbishop of Canterbury. Local leaders called Vicars, or Rectors, or priests. The C of E is very broad in its practices and belief, and there are varying opinions over issues like homosexuality and the place of women in leadership. Also has Dioceses.
Baptists - defined by their practice of baptising believers rather than infants. A baptist church will often baptise believers by total immersion in water. Many baptist churches have a pool (baptistry) in the building for this purpose.
Methodists - think hymn writers like founder John Wesley, and a very active social conscience. The Methodist Revival in Wales had a huge impact and Methodist chapels are still commonplace there.
Evangelicals. Here's a tricky one. It's a confusing term. It's not a church. An evangelical, broadly, believes in the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus, and the value of social action. Many people in the C of E, Methodist, Baptist and other groups would call themselves evangelicals. The Evangelical Alliance is a national organisation which seeks to support and represent evangelicals.
An evangelist is a different thing! An evangelist is a person who goes about seeking to convert people to Christianity. In fact he/she engages in evangelism. Most Christian groups see evangelism as a vital part of their mission, but they will do it in a variety of ways.
 The Alpha Course
This course has proved hugely popular. The course was developed at Holy Trinity Church Brompton, London (HTB). It is now used all over the UK and the world, as a way to explain the Christian faith to people. Local churches put on the 10 week course often using DVD's produced by HTB and then having small discussion groups.
What's his name?
"The Reverend" is a courtesy title used by leaders in many churches., so "the Reverend John Smith". A later reference in the same article would say Mr Smith. ("The Reverend Smith" is an Americanism which sounds odd to Christians in the UK.)
Catholic priests are often referred to as "Father", as in "Father Ted Smith", and "Father Ted". (not "Father Smith")
In the same way, Bishops would be called "Bishop Tom, Bishop Ted", etc.
Baptism
This is the "rite of passage" into the church. Where a child is baptised (or Christened) a small amount of water is poured over the head. Many churches prefer to baptise believers rather than infants, and often have full immersion into a pool (for a moment!)
This article is in course of development and more will follow. | 
