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| New Wine (UK) | |
|---|---|
| Name | New Wine |
| Type | Charismatic evangelical network |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Gerry Goold |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Region served | United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland |
New Wine (UK) is a network of evangelical charismatic Christian churches and leaders established in 1989. It operates across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, organizing seasonal conferences, leadership training, and mission initiatives. The organization is associated with contemporary worship, charismatic theology, and a networked model of local church support and emerging leaders.
New Wine emerged in 1989 amid a period of growth in UK charismatic renewal and evangelical networks associated with figures active in the late 20th century. Its founding coincided with broader developments that involved leaders connected to the Evangelical Alliance, Spring Harvest, and the Renewal movements influenced by leaders who had participated in events such as Greenbelt Festival and conferences associated with Holy Trinity Brompton. Early years saw alliances with pastors and ministry leaders who had links to organisations like Church Army, Youth for Christ, and denominational bodies such as the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the Church of England. Through the 1990s and 2000s, New Wine expanded its calendar of regional and national gatherings, interacting with mission strategies promoted by networks including Alpha Course, The Message Trust, and mission initiatives shaped by figures from All Souls Langham Place and St Mellitus College.
The network adapted to shifts in British religious life, responding to cultural conversations that involved public figures and institutions such as the BBC and debates reflected in parliamentary inquiries involving faith groups. New Wine’s growth paralleled institutional developments at organizations like Tearfund and Christian Aid even as it retained a distinct charismatic identity linked to leaders with pastoral backgrounds in churches such as St Aldate's Church and urban ministries in cities like Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, and London.
New Wine’s theology is rooted in charismatic evangelicalism and aligns with statements of faith common among networks that liaise with the Evangelical Alliance (United Kingdom). Its doctrinal emphases include the authority of the Bible, the centrality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the contemporary activity of the Holy Spirit. Practices such as prophetic ministry, contemporary worship music resembling work by artists associated with Integrity Music and worship bands with links to Soul Survivor contexts, and an emphasis on spiritual gifts reflect theological affinities with leaders shaped by ministries like John Stott-influenced evangelicalism and charismatic teachers who have been featured alongside figures from Bethel Church and Hillsong Church at various conferences.
On ecclesiology, New Wine promotes a model that values pastoral authority, team leadership, and church planting strategies common to spheres influenced by Redeemed Christian Church of God initiatives and church planting schemes pioneered in partnership with organizations such as SME and theological colleges including Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and Oak Hill College. Moral teaching and social engagement often intersect with positions advocated by evangelical bodies like Christian Concern and advocacy seen in campaigns run by groups such as CARE (Christian Action Research and Education).
New Wine operates as a network rather than a single denomination, with governance that combines leadership teams, trustees, and regional coordinators. Its central leadership historically included founders and directors who liaise with advisory boards comprised of senior pastors from churches like Holy Trinity, Cambridge, Portsmouth Cathedral clergy, and leaders associated with parachurch organisations such as ICM and Youthscape. Financial and legal oversight conforms to charity regulation in the United Kingdom and interaction with bodies such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Local churches affiliate with New Wine through membership agreements that enable participation in regional hubs and training streams. The network partners with seminaries and training programmes including St John's College, Nottingham and leadership initiatives linked to The Keswick Convention and regional Bible colleges. Operational departments manage worship programming, children’s ministry, safeguarding, and events, collaborating with organisations like Barnardo's and national safeguarding frameworks.
New Wine is best known for annual summer conferences and regional gatherings that attract thousands of delegates, including pastors, youth leaders, and families. Major events have been held on sites such as holiday parks and conference centres in regions including Somerset, Devon, and Wiltshire, drawing parallels with festivals like Spring Harvest and Greenbelt Festival though with a distinct evangelical charismatic focus. Conference programming typically features keynote teaching, worship led by bands related to the UK worship scene, ministry times, and breakouts on mission, church leadership, and social action.
The network has run residential weeks for adults and separate programmes for children and young people, collaborating with youth ministries similar to Urban Saints and training streams reminiscent of offerings from Newfrontiers and Ichthus Christian Fellowship. Speakers and worship leaders invited to New Wine events have included senior pastors, seminary lecturers, and international figures who have previously appeared at gatherings such as The Global Day of Prayer and conferences hosted by Worship Central.
New Wine supports church planting, leadership development, and whole-life discipleship programmes. It runs courses for emerging leaders comparable to schemes offered by Alpha Course partner training, internships and placements that echo models used by The Message Trust and volunteer mobilization resembling initiatives by Saltmine Trust. Children’s and youth ministries operate with curricula and safeguarding comparable to standards used by Open The Book and regional diocesan youth programmes. The network also facilitates mission partnerships and social action projects that intersect with relief and development efforts by organisations like Tearfund and community outreach initiatives in urban areas served by churches in Bristol, Leeds, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
New Wine has faced critique typical of influential evangelical networks, including debates over charismatic practices, governance, and theological positions. Critics from within the wider Christian community, including commentators associated with Theos and academic theologians at institutions such as Durham University and King's College London, have raised concerns about prophetic accountability and pastoral oversight. Media coverage in outlets like The Times and discussions on programmes by the BBC have at times scrutinised the network’s positions on social issues, leadership decisions, and safeguarding arrangements. Responses from New Wine have involved policy revisions, leadership statements, and collaboration with external safeguarding bodies and independent reviewers.
Category:Evangelical parachurch organizations