Conservative Holiness Movement

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The Conservative Holiness Movement is a term that loosely defines a group of conservative Christian denominations that withdrew from the mainstream holiness movement and trace their origin back to Methodist roots and the teachings of John Wesley.

Contents

[edit] Active Denominations & Organizations

[edit] Doctrine

The doctrine of the Conservative Holiness Movement varies from group to group; however, the common thread between them is the belief that the carnal nature (or sin nature, depravity) can be cleansed (eradicated) through faith by the power of the Holy Spirit by one who has received salvation from God through the confession of sin, repentance and faith (See also holiness movement). This belief is also called, "entire sanctification" or a "second work of grace" that enables one to live a life set apart from the world. For additional information, see a Doctrinal Statement on Entire Sanctification.

The fundamental differences between its denominations and the mainstream holiness movement in general are what define it as the Conservative Holiness Movement. These fundamental differences include but are not limited to standards of dress, fashion, and entertainment.

[edit] History

The Conservative Holiness Movement is an outgrowth of the original holiness movement and is often referred to as one in the same. However, the Conservative Holiness Movement traces its beginnings to the establishment of the Inter-church Holiness Convention (IHC) in 1952. The convention was established as a means of uniting the conservative bodies of the holiness movement for edification and support.

During the early 1950s, there were significant societal changes taking place in America. The Post-World War II era brought many changes to the culture in American history and as a result, the conservative element of the holiness movement sought to separate its people from the trend of "worldliness" that was becoming more prominent in American society. Following Bible teachings, standards of dress were in place to restrict its people from wearing clothing and following other pursuits that would identify itself with the current trends. The 1950s also brought with it increased popularity in television which became a major issue to the Conservative Holiness Movement who saw it and other forms of lewd entertainment as one of the reasons for the moral decline in America.

Between the 1950s and 1960s, a number of events took place that formulated the Conservative Holiness Movement into what it is today. Because of societal changes, many denominations took the initiative to adopt resolutions within church government to specifically list items of prohibition within their discipline. The list of prohibitions included the wearing of gold (which included a wedding ring), specific prohibitions against owning a television set, and various dress or fashion restrictions.

In 1966, the Wesleyan Methodist Church (a former denomination in the holiness movement) and the Pilgrim Holiness Church proposed a merger (that was finalized in 1968) to form the Wesleyan Church. As a result, this merger had high historical significance on the Conservative Holiness Movement and its denominations that organized during that time. After the proposal of the merger, a group of conservative holiness people known as the "come outers" formed and separated over issues of church polity, government, and of growing concern over "worldliness". It was during that period of time that the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection of Churches, the Bible Methodist Connection of Tennessee (Tennessee Bible Methodists) and the Bible Methodist Connection of Alabama (Alabama Bible Methodists) were organized. Other denominations, such as the Pilgrim Holiness Church of New York seceded from the Pilgrim Holiness Church in 1963 to become an independent organization leading up to the merger and The Pilgrim Holiness Church (Midwest Conference) organized in 1967 just prior to the merger as well.

The 1968 merger generated many different denominations. Most were the "come outers" as previously mentioned and one other denomination was the Wesleyan Church for which the merger was intended. The Wesleyan Church aligns itself today with the mainstream holiness movement and would be practically equal in church doctrine and polity to the Church of the Nazarene although tending a bit more conservative.

There are many other Conservative Holiness denominations such as the International Conservative Holiness Association, Pilgrim Nazarene, Emmanuel Missionary Church, Bible Missionary Church, Bible Holiness Church, Wesleyan Holiness Association, God's Missionary Church, as well as other independent churches. Generally, most of these denominations align themselves with the "come out" movement and would have roots somewhere from the time the Inter-church Holiness Convention originated to the merger in 1968 or from other more recent secessions from various holiness denominations.

[edit] Distinctives

The movement itself is somewhat isolated from mainstream holiness groups due to its stance on holy living (dress, fashion, and entertainment). Although in recent years, more and more churches are tending more toward the mainstream, seeking common ground with the very churches they left to make the movement fit in this present age by focusing on bigger numbers and self-pleasure.

Over the years with society changing so rapidly in America, the Conservative Holiness Movement has largely been successful at remaining unchanged in a changing world regarding outward appearances. However, concerns have risen over its lifespan in a society that continually moves in the opposite direction. Questions of relevancy and effectiveness have become concerns with a small minority of the younger generation in the movement. This generational drift is seen by many as a compromise from positions once held as doctrinal truth and is rejected by many in the movement.

Overall, the Conservative Holiness Movement holds to the belief that regardless of culture shift, their message of a conservative holiness lifestyle should not change or deviate from its original intent and be compromised. Even as morality in society continues to decline, Conservative Holiness churches believe that their experience of Holiness of Heart and Life will be the answer to holding to the doctrine and teachings of Scripture. They follow the doctrinal teachings of God's Word that a heart that has died out to self, gone the "death route" to complete and entire sanctification, will be so in love with Jesus, and will have a heart so full of the love of God that they can withstand the moral decline and exude a victorious testimony that God has "Saved and Sanctified" them! It is the heart of their message that carries them through the changing times. To be fully free from sin and filled with the Blessed Holy Ghost is their anchor on life's shifting seas.

Although some people in the mainstream holiness movement still agree that to live a holy life one must be "separate" from the world, they would recognize that humanity is still living in this world and that a person desiring to live a holy life must be the salt and light (not necessarily by outward observances, but more through Godly character) to the world around them. Although efforts to bridge the gap continue between the opposing views, the mainstream holiness movement would see the conservative holiness lifestyle as unnecessary in itself because these restrictions can be merely observed with or without a change in the heart. Many within the mainstream holiness movement would see these restrictions as misinterpretations of scripture and more of a reaction to societal change that have taken place over the years. The mainstream holiness movement would say that Scripture itself already defines a set of standards in modesty and holy living that will be relevant no matter the cultural shift and adding anything more to this could cause division within the Body of Christ and hinder the message of holiness.

Even though conservative holiness people agree as well that they must be light to the world, they consider the mainstream holiness movement to be moving further away from its roots. Based on their interpretation of scripture, the "worldliness" they see around them is the reason they must hold to the standards and traditions that distinguish them from mainstream groups. This is seen as a very serious issue for conservative holiness people and drives efforts to preserve their heritage so vitally important to the movement.

Another distinction of the Conservative Holiness Movement is the structure that is left behind in worship. It is intentional that a worship service be "led of the Spirit" and not through a systematic approach, although there is still a structure to the service. Some would try to characterize this as charismatic, but there are large differences between the Holiness style of worship and charismatic groups (such as Pentecostalism). This defining distinction is played out often in worshipful singing and passionate preaching that accompanies this body of believers.

[edit] Educational institutions

The Conservative Holiness Movement has several Bible Colleges dedicated to the training and teaching of young men and women for Christian service. Listed below are colleges affiliated with the Conservative Holiness Movement .

There are also other schools that train for ministry. They are listed below.

[edit] World Mission Endeavors

A number of mission endeavors exist within the Conservative Holiness Movement with active mission fields in the Philippines, South Africa, Ukraine, Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Asia, Eastern Europe, South Korea, as well as other additional locations. Listed below are mission organizations affiliated with the Conservative Holiness Movement. Most all of the denominations / associations / connections listed above also maintain their own Missions boards and departments for both Home and Foreign Missions.

  • Bible Methodist Missions
  • Evangelical Bible Mission
  • Evangelistic Faith Missions
  • Hope International Missions

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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