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Newfrontiers (previously New Frontiers International) is a neo-charismatic church network of evangelical, charismatic churches founded by Terry Virgo. It forms part of the British New Church Movement, which began in the late 1950s and 1960s combining features of Pentecostalism with British evangelicalism.[1] Other streams of the British New Church Movement with which it shares some features include Together, Ministries Without Borders, and Life-Links. Groups like Pioneer, Ichthus Christian Fellowship, and Vineyard are more distantly related. Newfrontiers describes itself as "a group of apostolic leaders partnering together on global mission, joined by common values and beliefs, shared mission and genuine relationships".[2] Its theology is distinctively Reformed. Newfrontiers is committed to building churches according to "New Testament principles". One of the slogans of the movement has been "changing the expression of Christianity around the world", which is based on a prophecy given to the movement in 1990 by Paul Cain, a Latter Rain revivalist.[3]
In the early days of the movement a Bible week called "The Downs" was held at Plumpton Racecourse each year. This was replaced by "Stoneleigh Bible Week", which was held at the National Agricultural Centre showground. After the Stoneleigh Bible Week was stopped, a number of smaller more regional events were started, such as "North Camp" which was held in the North of England near Teesside. After running for 10 years "North Camp" was to cease after the 2013 event. Then after two years it started again under a new name, 'Devoted'. Newday is a camping event attended by young people between the ages of 12 and 19.[4]
In 2011, Terry Virgo handed over leadership to a score of leaders worldwide, each of whom is described as being "free to develop his own strategies, training programs, and gospel advance".[5]
Church practiceEdit
Every Newfrontiers church has its own unique approach to participatory worship, but most commonly, anyone wishing to contribute during corporate worship must first share it with the leader of the meeting. If it is considered to be potentially beneficial to the whole church body, any worship music being played will subside for a moment, and the individual can address the congregation. In other Newfrontiers churches the expectation is that members of the congregation will speak out if they feel they have received an idea, message, (mental) image or verse of Scripture, and no prior approval is required or expected.[citation needed]
In each local church leadership is expressed in a plurality of local (male) elders (though generally one of the elders takes a leading or senior role), often with multiple staff.[citation needed]
TheologyEdit
ComplementarianismEdit
All Newfrontiers churches hold to a complementarian position on gender similar to that promoted by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. This means that women are not elders or apostolic ministers. However, women are leaders – and in many churches actively preach, teach and are a part of decision making affecting local, regional and national church decisions. Women also hold positions in almost every other area in the church and are encouraged to do so.[6]
HomosexualityEdit
Newfrontiers do not believe that being gay is a sin, but that sexual acts of homosexuality are not okay. It strongly condemns homophobia. However, views differ from church to church. There have been claims that at least one Newfrontiers church has attempted to "cure" gay people, though these have been strongly disputed.[7]
Spiritual strongholdsEdit
A book by prominent Newfrontiers leader David Devenish on "spiritual warfare", praised by Terry Virgo as a text that "will help to fortify every believer intent on winning this battle", defines spiritual warfare as
The reality that the advance of the gospel and the building of the church involve us in attacking and experiencing counter-attack in relation to real cosmic forces of darkness under the control of Satan who is also described as the god of this world.[8]
ResponsesEdit
Nigel Wright believes that Newfrontiers and other British restorationists are claiming too much when they speak of "restoring the church".[9]
In 1986, sociologist and church historian Andrew Walker wrote of Newfrontiers that "churches are far more centralised and controlled than those of… mainline charismatic fellowships… The situation seems slightly analogous to Japanese business practices: they… export with great success, but import virtually nothing from anybody else".[10]
In April 2009, the Journal of Beliefs and Values published an article reporting on a 2007 study which "set out to examine the psychological type profile of Lead Elders within the Newfrontiers network of churches in the United Kingdom and to compare this profile with the established profile of clergymen in the Church of England". One of the conclusions:
There is a toughness about this style of leadership that is unlikely to be distracted by opposition. The disadvantage is that this style of leadership can leave some individuals hurt and marginalised for what is seen by the leadership as the overall benefit to the organisation.[11]
In February 2016, musician Joseph Coward wrote an article for Vice Magazine, in which he described a now disbanded Newfrontiers church. He claimed that it had "all the hallmarks of a cult".[12]
ReferencesEdit
^Walker, Andrew (1984), Martin, David; Mullen, Peter (eds.), Strange Gifts? A Guide to Charismatic Renewal, Oxford: Blackwell, p. 214
^"About Us". New frontiers together. from the original on 30 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
^Kay, William K (2007), Apostolic Networks in Britain: New Ways of Being Church, Milton Keynes: Paternoster, p. 260
^. New day generation. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
^The History of Newfrontiers, Terry Virgo, retrieved 13 August 2013
^Doward, Jamie; Flyn, Cal; Rogers, Richard (2 May 2010), "Rising Tory star Philippa Stroud ran prayer sessions to 'cure' gay people", The Observer, London, from the original on 14 September 2013, retrieved 6 September 2013
^Wright, Nigel (1986), The Radical Kingdom: Restoration in Theory and Practice, Kingsway: Eastbourne, pp. 118–9.
^Walker, Andrew (1986), Restoring the Kingdom: the Radical Christianity of the House Church Movement (2nd ed.), London: Hodder & Stoughton, pp. 317–8.
^Francis, Leslie J; Gubb, Sean; Robbins, Mandy (2009), "Psychological type profile of Lead Elders within the Newfrontiers network of churches in the United Kingdom" (PDF), Journal of Beliefs & Values, 30 (1): 61–9, doi:10.1080/13617670902784568, S2CID 44924301.
^Coward, Joseph (2 February 2016). "I Grew Up in a Religious Cult in Essex". Vice. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
Hosier, John (2005), Christ's Radiant Church, Oxford: Monarch Books, ISBN978-1-85424-700-1.
Virgo, Terry (2011), The Spirit-Filled Church: Finding Your Place in God's Purpose, ISBN978-0-857-21049-4.
Virgo, Terry (2001), No Well-Worn Paths, Eastbourne: Kingsway, ISBN978-0-85476-990-2.
Walker, Andrew (1998), Restoring the Kingdom: the Radical Christianity of the House Church Movement (4th ed.), Guildford: Eagle, ISBN978-0-340-41470-5.
newfrontiers, nasa, space, program, frontiers, program, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, pleas. For the NASA space program see New Frontiers program This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Newfrontiers news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Newfrontiers news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article appears to contain a large number of buzzwords There might be a discussion about this on the talk page Please help improve this article if you can December 2021 This article lacks ISBNs for the books listed in it Please make it easier to conduct research by listing ISBNs If the Cite book or Citation templates are in use you may add ISBNs automatically or discuss this issue on the talk page January 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Newfrontiers previously New Frontiers International is a neo charismatic church network of evangelical charismatic churches founded by Terry Virgo It forms part of the British New Church Movement which began in the late 1950s and 1960s combining features of Pentecostalism with British evangelicalism 1 Other streams of the British New Church Movement with which it shares some features include Together Ministries Without Borders and Life Links Groups like Pioneer Ichthus Christian Fellowship and Vineyard are more distantly related Newfrontiers describes itself as a group of apostolic leaders partnering together on global mission joined by common values and beliefs shared mission and genuine relationships 2 Its theology is distinctively Reformed Newfrontiers is committed to building churches according to New Testament principles One of the slogans of the movement has been changing the expression of Christianity around the world which is based on a prophecy given to the movement in 1990 by Paul Cain a Latter Rain revivalist 3 NewfrontiersFounded1979FounderTerry VirgoTypeReformed neo charismatic church networkLocationUnited KingdomArea servedWorldwideMembers800 churchesKey peopleTerry Virgo David DevenishWebsiteOfficial websiteRegistered Charity number 1060001 New Addington Community Church is a Newfrontiers congregation in suburban London Contents 1 History 2 Church practice 3 Theology 3 1 Complementarianism 3 2 Homosexuality 3 3 Spiritual strongholds 4 Responses 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksHistory Edit The logo for the Stoneleigh Bible WeeksIn the early days of the movement a Bible week called The Downs was held at Plumpton Racecourse each year This was replaced by Stoneleigh Bible Week which was held at the National Agricultural Centre showground After the Stoneleigh Bible Week was stopped a number of smaller more regional events were started such as North Camp which was held in the North of England near Teesside After running for 10 years North Camp was to cease after the 2013 event Then after two years it started again under a new name Devoted Newday is a camping event attended by young people between the ages of 12 and 19 4 In 2011 Terry Virgo handed over leadership to a score of leaders worldwide each of whom is described as being free to develop his own strategies training programs and gospel advance 5 Church practice EditEvery Newfrontiers church has its own unique approach to participatory worship but most commonly anyone wishing to contribute during corporate worship must first share it with the leader of the meeting If it is considered to be potentially beneficial to the whole church body any worship music being played will subside for a moment and the individual can address the congregation In other Newfrontiers churches the expectation is that members of the congregation will speak out if they feel they have received an idea message mental image or verse of Scripture and no prior approval is required or expected citation needed In each local church leadership is expressed in a plurality of local male elders though generally one of the elders takes a leading or senior role often with multiple staff citation needed Theology EditComplementarianism Edit All Newfrontiers churches hold to a complementarian position on gender similar to that promoted by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood This means that women are not elders or apostolic ministers However women are leaders and in many churches actively preach teach and are a part of decision making affecting local regional and national church decisions Women also hold positions in almost every other area in the church and are encouraged to do so 6 Homosexuality Edit Newfrontiers do not believe that being gay is a sin but that sexual acts of homosexuality are not okay It strongly condemns homophobia However views differ from church to church There have been claims that at least one Newfrontiers church has attempted to cure gay people though these have been strongly disputed 7 Spiritual strongholds Edit A book by prominent Newfrontiers leader David Devenish on spiritual warfare praised by Terry Virgo as a text that will help to fortify every believer intent on winning this battle defines spiritual warfare as The reality that the advance of the gospel and the building of the church involve us in attacking and experiencing counter attack in relation to real cosmic forces of darkness under the control of Satan who is also described as the god of this world 8 Responses EditNigel Wright believes that Newfrontiers and other British restorationists are claiming too much when they speak of restoring the church 9 In 1986 sociologist and church historian Andrew Walker wrote of Newfrontiers that churches are far more centralised and controlled than those of mainline charismatic fellowships The situation seems slightly analogous to Japanese business practices they export with great success but import virtually nothing from anybody else 10 In April 2009 the Journal of Beliefs and Values published an article reporting on a 2007 study which set out to examine the psychological type profile of Lead Elders within the Newfrontiers network of churches in the United Kingdom and to compare this profile with the established profile of clergymen in the Church of England One of the conclusions There is a toughness about this style of leadership that is unlikely to be distracted by opposition The disadvantage is that this style of leadership can leave some individuals hurt and marginalised for what is seen by the leadership as the overall benefit to the organisation 11 In February 2016 musician Joseph Coward wrote an article for Vice Magazine in which he described a now disbanded Newfrontiers church He claimed that it had all the hallmarks of a cult 12 References Edit Walker Andrew 1984 Martin David Mullen Peter eds Strange Gifts A Guide to Charismatic Renewal Oxford Blackwell p 214 About Us New frontiers together Archived from the original on 30 November 2018 Retrieved 30 November 2018 Kay William K 2007 Apostolic Networks in Britain New Ways of Being Church Milton Keynes Paternoster p 260 About us New day generation Archived from the original on 25 January 2013 Retrieved 12 February 2013 The History of Newfrontiers Terry Virgo retrieved 13 August 2013 Our seventeen values Together archived from the original on 19 May 2010 clarification needed Doward Jamie Flyn Cal Rogers Richard 2 May 2010 Rising Tory star Philippa Stroud ran prayer sessions to cure gay people The Observer London archived from the original on 14 September 2013 retrieved 6 September 2013 Devenish David 2013 Demolishing Strongholds rev ed Milton Keynes Authentic Publishing ISBN 978 1 860 24371 4 Wright Nigel 1986 The Radical Kingdom Restoration in Theory and Practice Kingsway Eastbourne pp 118 9 Walker Andrew 1986 Restoring the Kingdom the Radical Christianity of the House Church Movement 2nd ed London Hodder amp Stoughton pp 317 8 Francis Leslie J Gubb Sean Robbins Mandy 2009 Psychological type profile of Lead Elders within the Newfrontiers network of churches in the United Kingdom PDF Journal of Beliefs amp Values 30 1 61 9 doi 10 1080 13617670902784568 S2CID 44924301 Coward Joseph 2 February 2016 I Grew Up in a Religious Cult in Essex Vice Retrieved 1 August 2020 Further reading EditFleming John 2007 Bind Us Together To Be the Church That Jesus Really Wants Seaford Thankful ISBN 978 1 905084 15 9 Hosier John 2005 Christ s Radiant Church Oxford Monarch Books ISBN 978 1 85424 700 1 Virgo Terry 2011 The Spirit Filled Church Finding Your Place in God s Purpose ISBN 978 0 857 21049 4 Virgo Terry 2001 No Well Worn Paths Eastbourne Kingsway ISBN 978 0 85476 990 2 Walker Andrew 1998 Restoring the Kingdom the Radical Christianity of the House Church Movement 4th ed Guildford Eagle ISBN 978 0 340 41470 5 External links EditOfficial website Newfrontiers registered charity no 1060001 Charity Commission for England and Wales Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Newfrontiers amp oldid 1104393275 Stoneleigh Bible Week and more recent events, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
