Evangelical – A person with a high regard for the bible, a focus on Jesus’ crucifixion and its saving effects, a belief that humans need to be converted, and a belief that faith should influence one’s public life (historian David Bebbinton.)

 

Pentecostal – One who emphasizes a direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit which includes speaking in tongues and divine healing.

 

Prosperity Gospel – A teaching that faith expressed through positive thoughts, positive declarations, and donations to religious causes draws health, wealth, and happiness.

 

Sect – People who hold to different religious beliefs from those of a large group to which they belong.

 

Catholic – The church that emphasizes scripture and tradition including the sacraments such as communion which is the actual body and blood of Jesus, devotion to Mary and the saints, the Nicene Creed, and a believe that it is the only true church.

 

Fundamentalism – An emphasis on the belief that every word of the bible is literally true and infallible.

 

Main Line church – Groups of church that are not explicitly evangelical of fundamentalist and contain a diversity of theological perspectives.

 

Orthodox churches – Churches in the catholic tradition that believe that the faith and the church are inseparable, characterized by an elaborate liturgy with a focus on the Nicene Creed, the sacraments, and icons as mystical images of Christ.

 

Charismatic – A movement within established or mainstream churches with an emphasis on baptism with the Holy Spirit and the use of spiritual gifts. (See Pentecostal.)

 

Christian Mysticism – A tradition of mystical practices and mystical belief emphasizing the consciousness and direct transformative experience of God.

 

Spiritual Direction – The practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with God or to learn and grow in personal spirituality.

 

Contemplative – One who attempts to listen to God in silent prayer.