Christian Churches / Traditions in Scotland Today

The Pentecostal and "new" Churches

Pastor Colin Symes, Community Church Edinburgh

Background: Community Church Edinburgh is one of the New Churches which has sprung up over the last thirty years in the United Kingdom, in response to a desire to re-look at the New Testament model of church, with particular importance being given to the experiencing of God at a personal level as well as to a rational understanding of God.

History: The early Church was marked by tangible interaction between God in Trinity and mankind. Yet, as later disputes appeared over the exact nature of Christ with the rise of Platonism, the focus of Christian experience became a correct understanding of the nature of Christ, as opposed to a dynamic experience of God's personal activity. The Holy Spirit was seen either as a force linking the Church and God, or the relationship between Father and Son.

With the emergence of evangelicalism in the 18th century, in what is now the United States and in the UK, powerful, personal encounters with God were hallmarks of the awakenings which gave rise to Methodism and the Holiness churches. During the 19th century, further signs of a new activity of God among people were seen, notably in the Port Glasgow revival of 1832, and the ensuing Catholic Apostolic church.

At the beginning of the 20th century came the Pentecostal revival in the USA, Scandinavia and the UK. This movement, characterised by a dynamic encounter with God known as 'baptism in the Holy Spirit' , with speaking in unlearned languages and inspired words from God, was rejected by traditional churches, until in the mid 20th century, a 'charismatic renewal' broke out in those older churches, with Pentecostal characteristics, extending across the Christian spectrum, including Roman Catholic communities.

The New Churches were formed in the wake of this, out of a desire to reshape the church in the light of the charismatic nature of God's presence. Worship, church order, and patterns of meeting were renewed, breaking out of traditional forms into new interpretations of New Testament church order. They are unafraid to experiment with change, unfettered by church bureaucracy and can adapt to differing communities in which they grow up.

Current Situation: New Churches are typically led by a team of leaders (often called elders or pastors), men and women both taking part, although many New Churches see men still as the buck-stop. Usually they are cellular in structure, small groups playing a key role in the development of friendships and accountability in a shared life. Worship is contemporary, with modern instruments and new songs, though relevant hymns from previous generations, in updated format, are still in use. A distinctive of new church worship is the expression of spontaneous words from God the Holy Spirit, inspired utterances and extempore song , within Scriptural boundaries overseen by church leadership. Mutual care is encouraged, and much is made of the gifts of each member, as opposed to a professional clergy 'doing ministry.' Being evangelical, they see regeneration through faith in the crucified and risen Christ, by the action of the Holy Spirit, as necessary to salvation .

What Do We Believe?
The New Churches share the common orthodox, catholic Christian heritage, accepting traditional creeds and Scriptures as the guide-rail of our faith. We are Trinitarian, and ecumenical, open to worship and work with others not of our tradition who share faith in Christ. Being autonomous in government does not mean being independent in heart, and we see the need to relate both with other new and traditional churches. Where we would have a slightly different emphasis would be in our approach to the Trinity, seeing our access to God as being through personal interaction with Christ as Saviour, and with the Holy Spirit as the empowering, indwelling presence of the living God in us, who gives signs of His activity through gifts of the Holy Spirit, which we do not see as being for a limited period in the early church, but as being for the whole church for all of time until Christ returns. In this regard, we would understand the Trinity in the way that the early Church Father, Irenaeus, described Him, the Son and the Spirit being like the two hands of the Father, through whom we experience the fullness of God.

The New and charismatic churches are the fastest growing constituency of churches on the planet, and have become much more an accepted part of the world church scene, particularly in South America, Africa and communist mainland China. If you wish to experience something of the flavour of New Church worship and life, you are welcome along any Sunday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm at King's Hall, South Clerk Street, to Community Church Edinburgh's regular weekly meeting. (Website: www.cce.uk.net tel 466 8660)

Notes on The Orthodox Church

Notes on The Roman Catholic Church

Notes on The Scottish Episcopal Church

Notes on The Church of Scotland

Notes on The Free Church of Scotland

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