In the following ten articles, I give overviews of the major denominational traditions. I do so from the perspective of a Presbyterian, although I seek to be fair in describing the other denominations. I also write with the American context especially in mind.
Presbyterian and Reformed
As I mention in the articles, the church first experienced a split between the Eastern Orthodox church and the church in the West. The Western church then underwent a split during the 16th century Reformation between the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. During the Reformation, the Protestants gradually formed into two groups: Lutheran and Reformed.
The Reformed churches included a mainstream - the Continental Reformed and Presbyterian churches - as well as the Anglican Church (Church of England) and the Congregationalist churches. The Presbyterian, Anglican, and Congregationalist churches were the main churches in the British colonies that declared independence in 1776. From the Anglicans (called Episcopalians in the USA after independence) came the Methodists, from the Congregationalists came the Baptists, and from the Presbyterians came the Restorationists, generally speaking. (It should be noted that the Restorationists went further from the Presbyterian position than did the Baptists and even the Methodists.)
These six major denominational traditions (Episcopal, Congregationalist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Restorationist), along with the Lutherans, became the mainline churches in America. Roman Catholic numbers rose in America due to immigration and expansion, and some Eastern Orthodox immigrants came to America as well. The Pentecostal movement arose from the Methodist/Holiness tradition around 1900. And thus you get these ten major denominational traditions, all of which are worldwide as well as being present here in America.
I would note that the order in which I have listed them does not necessarily indicate how close they are doctrinally. Lutherans are much more like Presbyterians than Pentecostals are, for example. Rather, they are ordered in the way I thought made the most sense in seeking to explain how they are related to each other.
Some might wonder where the non-denominational churches are. After all, more and more American Christians are non-denominational. I did not include them since they are independent churches that are essentially in one or another of these traditions (or possibly a mix of two), simply without a regional or national organization.
Of course, from a Protestant perspective, the church of Jesus Christ is bigger than any one of these denominations. Chapters 25 and 26 of the Westminster Confession of Faith describe the biblical doctrine of the church well. May the Lord Jesus sanctify his church, removing false teaching and corrupt practices, working through us to build it up in truth and love, that we might clearly proclaim the truth of God's word together and stand firm "in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents" (Phil. 1:27-28).
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