View source for Terry Virgo

{{Short description|Founder of an English Evangelical church}}
{{COI|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
'''Terry Virgo''' (born 20 February 1940) is a prominent leader in the [[British New Church Movement]], formerly known as the House Church Movement.{{Sfn | Hocken | 2002}}  He is the founder of the [[Newfrontiers]] family of [[neocharismatic]] [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] churches, which has grown into an international apostolic network of over 1500 churches in more than 70 nations.<ref name="website">{{cite web |publisher = Terry Virgo|url = http://www.terryvirgo.org/Articles/452004/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Blog/Year/From_Stoneleigh_Newfrontiers_goes_global.aspx|title = Terry Virgo |date = 23 October 2015|access-date = 3 December 2015}}</ref> He is a leading [[Calvinism| Calvinist]] Charismatic.  He has five grown up children and twelve grandchildren.<ref name = cck>{{cite web| location = UK | title= Leadership | publisher = Church of Christ the King | url = http://cck.org.uk/Group/Group.aspx?id=32435 | access-date= 21 August 2011}}</ref>

==Early life==
Virgo was born and raised in [[Brighton]], on the English South Coast. He was not brought up in a believing home,{{Sfn | Hewitt | 1995 | p = 68}} though he was sent to Sunday school at both a high [[Anglican]] church, and a low [[Presbyterian]] Church, where he "never heard the gospel."{{Sfn | Hewitt | 1995 | p = 69}}  When Virgo was 16, his sister became a believer, and through her, he too was touched by God and "got down on his knees and began to weep."{{Sfn | Hewitt | 1995 | p = 69}} At first he went to a formal Anglican Church, but when he visited [[Holland Road Baptist Church]], he said "the moment I went through the door, I realised that these people had got what I had."{{Sfn | Hewitt | 1995 | p = 69}}  The pastor, EG Rudman, exercised a great influence on Virgo at a formative stage.{{Sfn | Hewitt | 1995 | p = 69}}  Rudman was a supporter of the [[Keswick Convention]].{{Sfn | Hewitt | 1995 | p = 70}} Virgo was also influenced by Denis Clark and Campbell MacAlpine.

==Ministry==
As a young [[pastor]], Virgo was influenced by the [[Charismatic Movement]]. Having become disillusioned by his experience in traditional UK churches, he sought to direct his church toward what he considered its New Testament "charismatic roots." He was influenced in this pursuit by the teaching of the British [[Charismatic Restorationism|Restorationist]] [[Arthur Wallis (Bible teacher)|Arthur Wallis]], who believed that a return of the [[spiritual gift|charismatic gifts]] (such as [[prophecy]] and [[glossolalia|speaking in tongues]]) to the traditional denominations was not sufficient and that a more thorough restoration of church life to a New Testament pattern was necessary. Particular attention was initially given to the [[Ephesians]] 4 ministries of [[wikt:apostle|apostle]], [[prophet]], [[evangelism|evangelist]], shepherd and teacher, and over time a broader understanding of the nature of church life began to emerge.{{Citation needed | date =July 2011}} He has been called a sort of elder statesman of Calvinist continuationists.<ref>Brett McCracken: [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/january-february/rise-of-reformed-charismatics.html Rise of Reformed Charismatics] ''Christianity Today,'' 21 December 2017.</ref>

==Newfrontiers==
The network of churches that related to Terry Virgo originally used the name ''Coastlands,'' and then ''New Frontiers International'', finally settling on ''Newfrontiers.'' By the end of the 1990s Newfrontiers had had become the largest Apostolic network in the UK.<ref name = growth>{{cite journal | last1 = Kay | first1 = William K | first2 = Anne E |last2=Dyer| title = Apostolic Networks in the UK: the dynamics of growth| journal = Journal of the European Pentecostal Association|year= 2005|volume= 25|pages= 25–38}}</ref> William K Kay believes that significant numbers of Baptist churches joining the movement, and avoiding scandals and other negative events contributed to this hegemony.<ref name=growth />

Newfrontiers has used week-long conferences, known as "Bible weeks" as an important strategy for growth and the development of its identity. Known originally as ''Downs Bible Weeks,'' running for a decade from 1979, they were later called ''Stoneleigh.'' The Downs Bible Week ran for a decade from 1979 and gathered up to 20,000 people at its height.{{Sfn | Walker | 1998 | p = 18}} Expositional [[Bible]] teaching from its main leaders, or ''Apostolic Team'' and lively [[worship]] were major features of the event.{{Citation needed | date = July 2011}}

In January 2011 it was announced that Terry would move from Church of Christ the King in Brighton to help lead a [[Newfrontiers]] church in [[Kingston-upon-Thames]], London.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moving to Kingston | publisher = Terry Virgo |url = http://www.terryvirgo.org/Articles/267906/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Blog/Year/Moving_to_Kingston_Part_1.aspx | access-date =21 August 2011}}</ref> The same year, Virgo handed over leadership of Newfrontiers to a score of leaders worldwide, each of whom is described as being "free to develop his own strategies, training programs, and gospel advance",<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.terryvirgo.org/Articles/269924/Terry_Virgo/Resources/Articles/Series/The_History_of_Newfrontiers.aspx |title = The History of Newfrontiers |publisher= Terry Virgo | access-date= 2013-08-13}}</ref> marking a significant change in the leadership structure of Newfrontiers.

== Theological views ==
===Reformed and charismatic theology===
Terry Virgo is a conservative [[Calvinist]]. He said, 'Anyone in newfrontiers would know how much we treasure these doctrines.  I am not sure that someone would feel they couldn't join us if they were not reformed.  We have never said you have to be reformed to belong. But it is widely known and understood outside our circles that we are reformed and charismatic.  That's how people see us. I have often said that I don't know how people who don't fully believe in the sovereignty of God can sleep peacefully at night.'<ref name= "adrianwarnock2007">{{Citation | url = http://adrianwarnock.com/2007/06/interview-terry-virgo-on-distinctives.htm | title = Terry Virgo on distinctives | first = Adrian | last = Warnock |date=June 2007}}.</ref>{{Self-published inline |date=August 2011}}

Terry Virgo is a [[Charismatic Movement|charismatic]] and thus believes that [[Continuationism|miraculous gifts]] such as prophecy and healing are for today.  In an interview he said, 'We feel we are a bit unique in the emphasis on both the charismatic and yet also reformed theology which we hold dear. Often reformed teachers have tended to be cessationist and often Charismatics have tended to be [[Arminianism|Arminians]] — so we have been unusual…  We do have excellent fellowship with [[Sovereign Grace Churches|Sovereign Grace Ministries]] led by [[C.J. Mahaney]] and certainly we have a great deal in common with them.'<ref name="adrianwarnock2007"/>{{Self-published inline|date=August 2011}}

===Baptism in the Holy Spirit===
Terry Virgo believes that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct/separate experience from conversion. He thus differs from many evangelicals on this matter, including [[John Wimber]]'s [[John Wimber#Baptism of the Holy Spirit|tentative view]]{{Unreliable source? |date= August 2011}} and [[Wayne Grudem]].<ref>E.g. {{Citation | first = Wayne | last = Grudem | title = Systematic Theology | chapter = 39}}, it is argued primarily on the basis of 1 Corinthians 12:13.</ref> Virgo would say that the Samaritan experience in Acts 8 and the Ephesian disciples' experience in Acts 19 make it clear that baptism in the Holy Spirit does not always happen 'automatically' upon conversion.<ref>{{Citation | last = Virgo | first = Terry | title = New frontiers | publisher = 2x stream hosting | contribution = Baptism of the Holy Spirit | url = http://nf1.2xstreamhosting.com/~newfrontiers/tvirgo/Baptism_of_the_Holy_Spirit.mp3}}.</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=August 2011}}

Regarding the common argument that one cannot get doctrine from narrative passages like in Acts but must rely on didactic portions of scripture like the Epistles,<ref>For instance {{Citation | first = John RW | last = Stott | type = book | title = Baptism and Fullness}}.</ref> Virgo says, 'that is wrong', and simply quotes 2 Tim 3:16 which says that "''all'' scripture… is profitable for… ''doctrine''…".<ref>{{Citation | last = Virgo | first = Terry | title = New frontiers | publisher = 2x stream hosting | contribution = Baptism of the Holy Spirit | url = http://nf1.2xstreamhosting.com/~newfrontiers/tvirgo/Baptism_of_the_Holy_Spirit.mp3 | at = 11min 50s}}.</ref> He thus differs with '[[Third Wave of the Holy Spirit|Third Wave]]' charismatics who typically hold that baptism in the Holy Spirit happens upon conversion.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

Virgo does not believe that tarrying meetings are necessary (as taught in some Pentecostal circles), he says: 'After the day of Pentecost no one is ever told to wait [for the baptism in Holy Spirit]…  The waiting is only until the day of Pentecost…'<ref>{{Citation | last = Virgo | first = Terry | title = New frontiers | publisher = 2x stream hosting | contribution = Baptism of the Holy Spirit | url = http://nf1.2xstreamhosting.com/~newfrontiers/tvirgo/Baptism_of_the_Holy_Spirit.mp3 | at = 36min 50s}}.</ref>{{Self-published inline|date = August 2011}}

===Apostles===
Terry Virgo, along with many [[British New Church Movement]] leaders, believes the Bible teaches that the ministry of an apostle is for today, and did not end with the death of the first Apostles. He thinks the widespread belief amongst Evangelicals that apostles are no longer for today is largely a result of the Reformers opposition to the Roman Catholic notion of ''[[apostolic succession]]'' which has strongly influenced the Evangelical view ever since.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.janga.biz/terryvirgoblog/?p=888 |website=www.janga.biz |last=Virgo | first = Terry | at = 19min 30s | publisher = Janga |title=Wayback Machine has not archived that URL.}}{{dl|date=April 2023}}</ref> He says: 'We do believe in the ongoing role of apostles and all Ephesians 4 gifts.  We do recognize that of course the original twelve Apostles were unique, and that the canon of Scripture is complete. We do see the need however, today, for master builders in helping to establish foundations in local churches and for fathers in the faith."<ref name= "adrianwarnock2007"/>{{Self-published inline|date=August 2011}} Church historian Derryck Lovegrove has observed that Virgo has "enjoyed a powerful personal hegemony," referring to Virgo's influence both within his own movement, and the wider British New Church Movement.<ref name= Laity>{{cite book|last=Lovegrove|first= Derryck W|title= The Rise of the Laity in Evangelical Protestantism |year = 2002 | publisher= Routledge|location= London |page=258|isbn= 0-415-27192-4}}</ref>

Terry Virgo thinks that restoration of [[Apostle|apostles]] is the most important and distinctive feature of "[[Restorationism |Restoration]]" as defined by Andrew Walker.<ref name= ":0">{{Cite book|title=Restoring the Kingdom|last=Walker|first=Andrew|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|year= 1989|isbn=0-340-51406-X|location= London|pages=32, 153}}</ref> Terry is widely recognised as an apostle within this movement.<ref name=":0" />

===Water baptism===
Terry Virgo teaches [[believer's baptism]] in contrast to [[infant baptism]], and that water baptism should be done by [[Immersion baptism|immersion]] rather than by sprinkling.<ref name= "adrianwarnock2007"/>{{Self-published inline | date = August 2011}}<ref>{{fix| text = in which publication?}}{{Citation | first = Matt | last = Partridge |date= October–December 2009 | volume = 3 | issue = 13 | page = 26 |title=in which publication?}}.</ref>

===Gender roles===
Terry Virgo holds to a [[complementarian]] view of gender roles.<ref>{{Citation | title = Women in Ministry in the Vineyard USA | journal = Journal | url = http://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-12-No-2/Women-in-Ministry-in-the-Vineyard-USA | at = paragraph 4 | publisher = CBMW | volume = 12 | number = 2 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222004054/http://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-12-No-2/Women-in-Ministry-in-the-Vineyard-USA | archive-date = 22 February 2012}}.</ref>

==Books==
Virgo is the author of 14 books, including:
# ''No Well Worn Paths''
# ''The spirit-filled church'' 
# ''God knows you're human'' 
# ''Start''<ref>{{cite book | first = Terry | last = Virgo | title = Start : an interactive study guide to help Christians grow in their faith | isbn = 978-1842913703 | publisher = Kingsway | year = 2007 | orig-year = 1999 }}</ref>
# ''God's Lavish Grace''
# ''Does The Future Have a Church?''
# ''The Tide is Turning''
# ''The Church and You''
# ''Restoration in the Church''<ref>{{Cite book|title=Restoration in the Church|last=Virgo|first=Terry|publisher=Kingsway|year=1985|isbn=0-86065-387-0}}</ref>
# ''Men of Destiny''
# ''Weak People, Mighty God''
# ''Life Tastes Better''

==References==
{{Reflist | colwidth = 30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Citation | last = Hewitt | first = Brian | title = Doing a New Thing? | place = London | publisher = Hodder & Stoughton | year = 1995 | isbn = 0-340-63013-2}}.
* {{Citation | last = Hocken | first = PD | title = The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements | contribution = Terry Virgo | isbn = 978-0-310-22481-5 | year = 2002 | publisher = Zondervan}}.
* {{Citation | last = Kay | first = William K | title = Apostolic Networks in Britain: New Ways of Being Church | place = Milton Keynes | publisher = Paternoster | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-1-84227-409-5|ref=none}}.
* {{Citation | last = Virgo | first = Terry | title = New frontiers | publisher = 2x stream hosting | contribution = Baptism of the Holy Spirit | url = http://nf1.2xstreamhosting.com/~newfrontiers/tvirgo/Baptism_of_the_Holy_Spirit.mp3|ref=none}}.
* {{Citation | last = Walker | first = Andrew | title = Restoring the Kingdom | place = London | publisher = Hodder & Stoughton | year = 1998 | orig-year = 1985 | isbn = 0-340-37280-X}}; first edition Guildford: Eagle.

==External links==
* {{Citation | url = http://www.terryvirgo.org/ | first = Terry | last = Virgo | title = Web site & blog|ref=none}}.
* {{Citation | url = http://cck.org.uk/Group/Group.aspx?id=32435 | title = CCK | place = UK}}: Terry Virgo's home church.
* {{Citation | url = http://www.theologynetwork.org/table-talk/2008-07/table-talk-2--grace | type = interview | title = Table talk – Terry Virgo on Grace | first = Michael 'Mike' | last = Reeves |date=July 2008 | publisher = Theology network|ref=none}}.
* [http://www.theologynetwork.org/table-talk/2009-05/table-talk-008--the-church Interview with Terry Virgo on Church by Mike Reeves]
* [http://adrianwarnock.com/2007/06/interview-terry-virgo-on-future.htm Interview with Terry Virgo]
* [http://www.theologynetwork.org/christian-beliefs/the-holy-spirit-and-christian-living/the-essence-of-grace--romans-7v1-13.htm Terry Virgo preaching on Grace]
* {{Citation | url = http://www.cck.org.uk/Media/AllMedia.aspx?speaker=Terry%20Virgo | first = Terry | last = Virgo | type = sermons | title = CCK | place = UK|ref=none}}.
* {{Citation | url = http://www.citychurchcambridge.org.uk/Media/AllMedia.aspx?speaker=Terry%20Virgo | first = Terry | last = Virgo | title = Preaching | place = Cambridge, UK | publisher = City church|ref=none}}

{{Newfrontiers}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Virgo, Terry}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:Newfrontiers]]
[[Category:Apostolic networks]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Brighton]]
[[Category:Founders of new religious movements]]
[[Category:English Calvinist and Reformed Christians]]
[[Category:English Charismatics]]
[[Category:English evangelicals]]
[[Category:British New Church Movement]]