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 slightly 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 (See asceticism).

The fundamental differences between its denominations and the mainstream (liberal) 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. In many cases the liberal churches are no longer a reflection of what they once were. Many even question their basic doctrines and beliefs that were once held as fundamental. The Conservative movement strives to remain true to Biblical doctrines and standards.

[edit] Standards

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"Standards" are a primary focal point of the Conservative Holiness Movement. The term "standards" has become an in-sect label that is applied to a large number of restrictions on activities, styles of dress, and types of entertainment. Examples of restrictions that are typical of many Conservative Holiness churches include members not being allowed to watch all television or movies, or listen to secular music. Female members are typically not allowed to wear pants. Further, The hair is viewed as a crown. Some conservative members believe that you should only trim your hair, others believe that it should be at least to your shoulders (this also makes a clear distinction between females and males.) But often women are not allowed to cut their hair at all. Most believe that you shouldn't dye your hair and only some believe make up should not be allowed. Most though do not think it is right if you wear extensive amounts of make up because it seems to change who you are. Some of the women believe that wearing your hair up is more mature, to help make it look nicer and to keep it clean as well. Usually though, the younger (teenagers) and girls wear their hair down often. Male members are typically not allowed to grow their hair longer than their shirt collar but they are allowed to grow facial hair but it isn't really common. Many Conservative Holiness churches have restrictions on activities that can be performed on Sunday, with working, shopping, eating at restaurants, etc. strictly prohibited (not everyone goes by the same convictions though.) Certain Conservative Holiness churches (see Bible Missionary Church) have, in more recent history, prohibited use of the internet inside their homes for all members, but most churches allow it just warn you to be careful as any one should. Some Conservative Holiness churches discourage their youth from attending secular universities, out of fears that they will betray the Conservative Holiness doctrines and become accustomed to the lives of alcohol, drugs, and casual sex.

[edit] History

The Conservative Holiness Movement is what is left 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 InterChurch 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" they felt was becoming more prominent in American society. Standards of dress were put in place to restrict its people from wearing clothing or 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 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, women cutting their hair, 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.

There are many other Conservative Holiness denominations such as the International Conservative Holiness Association, Pilgrim Nazarene, Wesleyan 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 InterChurch Holiness Convention originated to the merger in 1968 or from other more recent secessions from various holiness denominations.

An example of these secessions is the Wesleyan Nazarene Church which seceded from the Pilgrim Nazarene Church, which seceded from the Bible Missionary Church, which seceded from the Church of the Nazarene.

[edit] Distinctives

The movement itself is somewhat isolated from liberal 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 liberal, leaving the teachings of Scripture behind and following the present world.

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. Some who would rather follow the more liberal mindset have brought questions of relevancy and effectiveness have become concerns with a small minority of the younger generation in the movement. This drift is a compromise from positions of doctrinal truth and is rejected by those holding to the truths of the Bible 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 have a heart full of the love of God so that they can withstand the deceptions of change.

Although some people in the liberal holiness movement still agree that to live a holy life one must be "separate" from the world, they tend more and more to hold that this Holiness is fully on the inside and not exhibited by an means other than lip service. Although efforts to bridge the gap continue between the opposing views, the liberal 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 liberal holiness movement try to justify a departure from these standards and say that they are merely misinterpretations of scripture and more of a reaction to societal change that have taken place over the years. This mindset has led many of this movement to lean so far from a life of Holiness that many of their people do not even have an understanding of their base doctrines or a concept of sin.

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. There is a definite sense of the Holy Ghost in these services that can not be found in modern worship being touted so greatly among others.

[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.

These are some other schools that train young people as well:

  • Bible Missionary Institute (Rock Island, IL)
  • Penn View Bible Institute (Penns Creek, PA)
  • Faith Bible School (Mitchell, SD)
  • Northwest Indian Bible Institute (Alberton,MT)

[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 only a few of the mission organizations affiliated with the Conservative Holiness Movement. Most of the denominations listed above also maintain their own missions boards and departments for both Home and Foreign Missions.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_Holiness_Movement"
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