Baptist The largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. The Baptist movement began in the seventeenth century in the Netherlands and England. It emphasizes personal commitment to Christ expressed through baptism by full immersion. Church government is congregational. In recent years Baptist churches have been divided between liberal and fundamentalist factions. Worldwide membership is over 40 million, 90% of it in the U.S. and Britain.

Eastern Orthodox A group of churches descended from the church of the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire. Like the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox consider theirs to be the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church." The Catholic and Orthodox churches were in fact united until 1054, when a schism separated the two. One of the chief outstanding differences is that the Orthodox do not accept the primacy of the Pope. Orthodox worship, which centers on the Eucharist or Divine Liturgy, is more formal and ceremonial than the Catholic. Eastern Orthodoxy is headed by a synod of four Patriarchs of the ancient churches of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Constantinople. Organization is focused, however, on mostly national autocephalous (self-governing) churches headed by bishops. World membership is estimated at 200 million, of whom some 2 million are in North America. In the U.S., the largest body is the Orthodox Church in America.

Episcopalian The American branch of the worldwide Anglican communion. Anglicanism began in 1534 when, under the orders of King Henry VIII, the Church of England split off from the Catholic Church. Today Episcopalians are united with their Anglican kin worldwide by a liturgy embodied in one of the many versions of The Book of Common Prayer. Church government is episcopal, that is, governed by bishops. World membership of the Anglican communion is over 70 million.

Lutheranism The Protestant tradition founded by the great German Reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). Luther's teaching emphasized Scripture as the sole authority for Christians. He also taught that salvation is given by God through faith in Jesus Christ rather than as a result of any good works the believer may perform. Lutheranism is the dominant faith in much of Germany as well as in Scandinavia. Worldwide membership is over 75 million.

Methodism A form of Protestantism that arose from the teachings of the English preacher John Wesley (1703-91). Wesley taught that salvation comes as a result of a personal commitment to Jesus Christ rather than by ritual or good works. Methodists today form a number of denominations, the largest of which is the United Methodist Church, which is governed by bishops. (Some other Methodist denominations have congregational government.) In 1992, Methodism was the third-largest Christian denomination in the U.S. (after Roman Catholics and Baptists), with some 13.3 million members.

Mormonism Officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often abbreviated as LDS), Mormonism was founded in 1830 by the American prophet Joseph Smith. Smith claimed to have discovered a buried sacred text called The Book of Mormon near Palmyra, New York. Mormons regard The Book of Mormon, as well as two other sacred texts revealed by Smith, as having equal authority to that of the Bible. Like other Christian denominations, Mormons emphasize salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. But Mormons also have teachings and practices that distinguish them from most Christians. For example, believers may perform vicarious baptism for the dead, and marriages may be contracted "for eternity," that is, they are believed to be binding even after death. Polygamy was practiced in the nineteenth century but was repudiated in 1890. The main Mormon denomination is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Current membership is around 10 million, half in the U.S.

Pentecostalism A Protestant Christian movement that originated in the U.S. in the early twentieth century. It emphasizes "the gifts of the Spirit," notably the ability to "speak in tongues" — to talk in unknown languages. Pentecostal faiths include such denominations as the Church of God, the Assemblies of God, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and the United Pentecostal Church International. Pentecostal churches have a strong "end-times" emphasis, believing we are living in the last days before the Second Coming of Christ. World membership is estimated at 132 million, with a strong and growing presence in Latin America. U.S. membership is estimated at around 6.7 million.

Presbyterianism One of the main bodies of the Reformed tradition of Protestantism. The formative figure was the sixteenth-century French Reformer John Calvin, who emphasized the sovereignty of God and the salvation of a predestined elect. Presbyterians are governed by a system of ruling bodies called presbyteries or synods. U.S. membership in 1991 was 2.9 million.

Quaker Quakers, officially known as the Religious Society of Friends, originated in seventeenth-century England with the teachings of George Fox, who emphasized the "inner light" within each individual that takes precedence over creeds and doctrines. The name "Quaker" is thought to come from the fact that early participants trembled in religious ecstasy. Over the centuries Quakers have come to be known as strong advocates of humanitarianism, pacifism, and religious tolerance. Government of each local "meeting" is congregational. Many Friends meetings have no paid clergy. U.S. membership in 1999 was 92,000; world membership is 282,000.

United Church of Christ U.S. denomination formed by a merger of the Congregational Churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches in 1957. Today the United Church of Christ is one of the most liberal Protestant denominations. Individual conscience, an aversion to formal creeds, and congregational government are the chief hallmarks. Current U.S. membership is 1.4 million.