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 Restorationist Arthur Wallis, who believed that a return of the charismatic gifts (such as prophecy and 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 apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor/teacher, and over time a broader understanding of the nature of church life began to emerge.

During its beginnings Virgo's restorationist network was strongly shaped through Downs Bible Weeks – conferences usually a week long which gathered those involved in the early UK charismatic/restorationist movement to hear preaching from its main leaders, known as the apostolic team. The Downs Bible Week ran for a decade from 1979 and gathered up to 20,000 people at its height. Expositional Bible teaching and lively worship were major features of the event.

Originally operating under the banner of Coastlands, the growing network of churches that related to Terry Virgo and the team he lead formed closer working relationships focused on missions, church planting, and church oversight. This developed into the network known as Newfrontiers today. As the leader of this network, Terry also hosted the well-known Stoneleigh Bible Weeks and currently hosts the annual Together on a Mission leadership conference at Brighton, where Terry lives and is an elder in the Church of Christ the King.

Gender Roles

Terry Virgo holds to a complementarian view of gender roles. This view says that the bible teaches that a husband is called to lovingly lead, protect and provide for his wife and family, and that the wife should joyfully and intelligently affirm and submit to her husbands leadership. It also says that the bible teaches that men are to bear the primary responsibility to lead the church and that therefore only men should be elders. As such, Newfrontiers churches hold that a male eldership should lead each church. Although this view is not as common in the Charismatic community, it was believed by John Wimber and is espoused by other notable charismatics such as Wayne Grudem, John Piper, Sam Storms, C.J. Mahaney and Mark Driscoll.

Plurality of Elders

Virgo believes that the New Testament models that churches should be governed by a plurality of elders rather than by one person.

Reformed Theology

Terry Virgo is a 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.'

Spiritual Gifts

Terry Virgo is a charismatic and thus believes that 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 Arminians - so we have been unusual...We do have excellent fellowship with Sovereign Grace Ministries led by C.J. Mahaney and certainly we have a great deal in common with them.'

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Terry Virgo believes, as did Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones, that baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct/separate experience from conversion. He thus differs with many evangelicals on this matter, including John Wimber's tentative view and Wayne Grudem. 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.

Regarding the common argument that you cannot get doctrine from narrative passages like in Acts but must rely on didactic portions of scripture like the Epistles, Virgo says, 'that is wrong', and simply quotes 2 Tim 3:16 which says that "all scripture... is profitable for.. doctrine...". He thus differs with 'Third Wave' charismatics who typically hold that baptism in the Holy Spirit happens upon conversion.

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...'

Water Baptism

Terry Virgo teaches believers baptism in contrast to infant baptism, and that water baptism should be done by immersion rather than by sprinkling.

Apostles

Terry Virgo 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. As such he shares the view that apostles are for today with many in the Charismatic community, such as Sam Storms. Virgo said, '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 cannon 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.'

Virgo is the author of 14 books, including No Well Worn Paths, God's Lavish Grace, Does The Future Have a Church?, and The Tide is Turning.