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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]
| Founded | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Terry Virgo |
| Type | Reformed neo-charismatic church network |
| Location |
|
Area served | Worldwide |
Members | 800+ churches |
Key people | Terry Virgo, David Devenish |
| Website | Official website |
| Registered Charity number: 1060001 | |
History
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". He also handed general oversight of Newfrontiers to Dave Devenish.[5]
In 2020, Dave Devenish handed general oversight of Newfrontiers to Steven Tibbert.[6]
Beliefs
Fundamental Beliefs
Newfrontiers affirms the four ecumenical creeds (the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Definition, and the Athanasian Creed).[7] As protestants, Newfrontiers churches affirm the Heidelberg Catechism, but reject infant baptism.[7] As a contemporary evangelical network, Newfrontiers also affirms the Evangelical Alliance statement of faith and the Lausanne Covenant.[7]
Core Values
In 2024, Newfrontiers released a "Theological Statement", outlining key distinctives[8]. They are outlined below:
Word-based
Newfrontiers believes in the absolute truthfulness, sufficiency and final authority of Scripture. This value is expressed through the Bible having the central place in governing doctrine, practice, ethos and patterns of church life.
Grace-filled
Newfrontiers believes that the message of grace and the gospel is central to the Christian life and local church. Salvation is a work of God from start to finish.
Spirit-empowered
Newfrontiers believes in continuationism, that all spiritual gifts are available today. Newfrontiers believes being indwellt and being filled with the Holy Spirit are two distinct experiences.
Elders in each local church
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.
Ephesians 4 ministries
Newfrontiers believes that all Ephesians 4 ministeries operate today and congregants are encouraged to use their giftings in the churches. Elders are also encouraged to receive apostolic oversight.
Servantheartedness
Newfrontiers believes that Christian leadership should be godly, transparent and accessible.
Local church focused
Newfrontiers operates with a form of congregationalism and regard the local church as the centre of God's mission and purposes.
Mission ought to be expressed locally, globally and holistically
Local churches should be engaging with mission globally as well as reaching the poor and marginalised in society.
Contextual freedom in application
All the core values may be contextualised and adapted depending on the context of the local church.
Positions
Complementarianism
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.[9]
Homosexuality
Newfrontiers do not believe that being gay is a sin, but that sexual acts of homosexuality are not acceptable. 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.[10]
Spiritual strongholds
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.[11]
Structure
Since 2011, Newfrontiers has been split into spheres under their own apostolic leadership.[12]
These include
Responses
Nigel Wright believes that Newfrontiers and other British restorationists are claiming too much when they speak of "restoring the church".[22]
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".[23]
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.[24]
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".[25]
References
- ^ Walker, Andrew (1984), Martin, David; Mullen, Peter (eds.), Strange Gifts? A Guide to Charismatic Renewal, Oxford: Blackwell, p. 214, ISBN 0631133577, LCCN 84008861
- ^ "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, ISBN 9781556354809
- ^ "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
- ^ "Newfrontiers Story". Newfrontiers. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "About Newfrontiers". Newfrontiers. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ https://newfrontierstogether.org/docs/2024-09_Core_Values_of_Newfrontiers.pdf
- ^ "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
- ^ https://newfrontierstogether.org/newfrontiers-story/
- ^ https://www.advancemovement.com/
- ^ https://catalystnetwork.org/
- ^ https://christcentralchurches.org/
- ^ https://www.commission.global/
- ^ https://www.confluencechurches.org/
- ^ https://dnachurches.com/
- ^ https://newgroundchurches.org/
- ^ https://regionsbeyond.net/
- ^ https://www.relationalmission.org/
- ^ Wright, Nigel (1986), The Radical Kingdom: Restoration in Theory and Practice, Kingsway: Eastbourne, pp. 118–9, ISBN 0-86065-399-4.
- ^ Walker, Andrew (1986), Restoring the Kingdom: the Radical Christianity of the House Church Movement (2nd ed.), London: Hodder & Stoughton, pp. 317–8, ISBN 034051406X.
- ^ 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.
Further reading
- Fleming, 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.