| Church of God (Holiness) | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Methodist |
| Orientation | Conservative holiness movement |
| Theology | Wesleyan Restorationist |
| Polity | Mixed: elements ofCongregationalist,Presbyterian andEpiscopalian polities |
| Associations | Global Wesleyan Alliance Interchurch Holiness Convention |
| Origin | 1883 Centralia, Missouri |
| Branched from | Methodist Episcopal Church |
| Congregations | about 120 |
| Official website | cogh.net |
TheChurch of God (Holiness) is an association of autonomousholinessChristian congregations. Originating in the 19th century as an outgrowth of theMethodist Episcopal Church, it teachesWesleyan (Methodist) doctrine and is aligned withconservative holiness movement.[1] At its founding in 1883, the Church of God sought to actualize the New Testament church.[2] With respect toecumenism, the Church of God is a member of theGlobal Wesleyan Alliance andInterchurch Holiness Convention.
The Church of God (Holiness) began on March 29, 1883, with the founding of a church inCentralia, Missouri with 44 members.[3] Those involved in this effort were: J. F. Watkins, N. T. Sneed, H. A. Foster, G. R. Sneed, F. H. Sumter, J. B. Ceighton, J. H. Allen, D. C. Brenneman, G. W. Petty, Isaiah Reid, T. B. Bratton, A. L. Brewer, A. M. Kiergan, and W. T. Bean. The name "Church of God" was chosen as its adherents felt that this was the Scriptural name for the body; its people opposed the idea of denominationalism, holding that "all who were genuinely converted were a part of the true church" and that "each individual was accountable to a local body of believers."[4] The movement grew out of a group of former members of theMethodist Episcopal Church that had been participating in the Southwestern Holiness Association. A cause of their departure from the Methodist Episcopal Church was their zealous propagation of the instantaneous aspect ofentire sanctification, in contrast to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which taught that entire sanctification could be received either instantaneously or progressively. One of the early leaders was John Petit Brooks (1826–1915), who was editor ofThe Church Witness, which subsequently merged withThe Good Way, to become theChurch Herald, which later merged with theChurch Advocate and Holiness Banner to becomeThe Church Herald and Holiness Banner. He left theMethodist Episcopal Church circa 1886.[5]
The idea of church is for believers to come together as a body, and to have fellowship with other believers. God desires that we come to Him with a repentant heart and a desire to know Him more fully.
The Church of God (Holiness) has about 120 congregations in the United States, with the majority in Missouri and Kansas.[6] Additionally they have 12 congregations on the Navajo Reservation, 13 Spanish-speaking congregations in California, Texas, New York and Colorado, a Korean ministry inOverland Park, Kansas, and two Haitian works in New York and Florida. The church also has a sizeable outgrowth in the Cayman Islands.[7] Ministry departments of the church include Home Missions, World Missions, Harmony Hill Youth Ministries, and the Herald and Banner Press. Headquarters are located in Overland Park, Kansas. A general church conference is held annually in Overland Park. World missions works are found in Bolivia, the British West Indies, the Virgin Islands, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and Ukraine.[8][9]
With respect toecumenism, the Church of God is a member of theGlobal Wesleyan Alliance and theInterchurch Holiness Convention.
The Church of God (Holiness) is associated withKansas Christian College in Overland Park. This institution gives degrees in ministry, business leadership, psychology, and education. The headquarters for the church is located on the campus and the General Camp and Convention are also held here.The church is also associated with several private elementary and secondary schools. These are El Dorado Christian School inEldorado Springs, Missouri; Fort Scott Christian Heights inFort Scott, Kansas; Gravette Holiness Bible School inGravette, Arkansas; Lowry City Christian School inLowry City, Missouri; Mount Zion Bible School inAva, Missouri; Mountain State Christian School inCulloden, West Virginia; and Overland Christian Schools in Overland Park.[10]
The Church of God (Holiness) is an association of autonomous congregations originating in the 19th century that has historically aligned with the conservative holiness movement of Methodism.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
