Newfrontiers

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. 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".

History

thumb|left|The logo for the Stoneleigh Bible Weeks

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.

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.

In 2020, Dave Devenish handed general oversight of Newfrontiers to Steven Tibbert.

Beliefs

Fundamental beliefs

Newfrontiers affirms the four ecumenical creeds (the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Definition, and the Athanasian Creed). As Protestants, Newfrontiers churches affirm the Heidelberg Catechism, but reject infant baptism. 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 indwelt 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 ministries 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 regards 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. 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.

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.

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

Structure

Since 2011, Newfrontiers has been split into spheres under their own leadership.

Catalyst
Christ Central
Commission
Confluence
Disciple Nations
New Ground
Regions Beyond
Relational Mission

Responses

Nigel Wright believes that Newfrontiers and other British restorationists are claiming too much when they speak of "restoring the church".

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".

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:

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".