The Christian and Missionary Alliance resulted from the merger of the Christian Alliance and the Evangelical Missionary Alliance in 1897.
The founding bodies were both based on the teachings of Albert Benjamin Simpson, a former minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, who had left that church in 1882 to promote the Christian Holiness movement. Although the C&MA was formed as a confederation in 1897, it wasn't until 1974 that it formally became a denomination.
In the early 1900s, Rev. Simpson became involved with the Pentecostal movement, which was an offshoot of the Holiness movement. Pentecostal pastors and missionaries often received training at the Missionary Training Institute operated by the Christian and Missionary Alliance. In that way, the C&MA had a strong influence over the growing Pentecostal Movement, particularly the Assemblies of God and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Largely because of this close relationship, the C&MA lost several of its congregations and members to Pentecostalism, and this became a catalyst for its seeking denominational status.
After the death of Simpson, the denomination further distanced itself from the Pentecostals, particularly the issue of speaking in tongues. Nevertheless, the C&MA is doctrinally similar to the Assemblies of God, and maintains ties of fellowship.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance holds that the Bible is inspired of God and inerrant.
There is one God, who exists in the Trinity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While on earth, Jesus Christ was both man and God. His death on Calvary was as a substitutionary sacrifice. He was resurrected, ascended to heaven, and will return one day to establish His kingdom. The Holy Spirit resides within believers, teaching and empowering them.
Man was created in the image of God. Because of the disobedience of Adam, mankind is born with a sinful nature, and can be saved only through the atoning work of Christ. Those who repent and believe in Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, after which they become children of God.
God desires for each believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit and fully sanctified, which is said to be the deeper Christian life. This may come about as either a sudden or a progressive experience that occurs after conversion. Sanctification separate the believer from sin. The redemptive work of Christ allows for miraculous healing. Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil are Scriptural and the privilege of the Church.
The Church consists of all who believe in Christ, are redeemed through the blood of Christ, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. The Church has been called to fulfill the Great Commission.
The C&MA observes the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper.
The Second Coming of Christ will be visible and premillennial. The just will be resurrected unto life, while the unjust will be resurrected unto judgment.
As part of the Christian Holiness movement, the Christian and Missionary Alliance in influenced by Wesleyan and Arminian theology. Its founder taught that the core theology of the Alliance is the Christological Fourfold Gospel: Jesus Christ as Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Soon Coming King.
The Alliance's membership is concentrated in the Midwestern and Northwestern United States, although it is represented throughout America and Canada. The Christian and Missionary Alliance of Canada is autonomous, but cooperates with the US Alliance in missions and other activities. Additionally, the denomination is active in several overseas locations. Its CAMA Services provide disaster and crisis relief services wherever needed, and its Envision program is its short-term missions office.
The Alliance operates two graduate schools, four colleges, and one seminary in North America, as well as educational institutions in Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Billy Graham preached his first sermons as a youth pastor with the Christian Missionary Alliance.
The focus of this category is on the Christian Missionary Alliance. Websites representing the Alliance, regardless of location or autonomous status, are appropriate for this category. However, those representing local congregations should be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category.
Recommended Resources
Alliance Camping International
ACI is part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and comprised of a network of camps within the C&MA denomination. An introductory video is presented, along with several photographs and a directory of associated camps in the United States, sorted by state, and offering addresses and contact information, with links to camp websites, where available. A directory of camps outside of the United States is also featured.
http://alliancecamping.org
Christian & Missionary Alliance of Australia
Founded in Old Orchard, Maine by Dr. Albert B. Simpson, the Christian & Missionary Alliance came to Australia in 1969 and is now active in most Australian states and territories. Its history, a description of its logo, doctrinal statement, and an introductory video are presented, along with a calendar of events, an overview of its missions and ministries, and a list of member churches and other facilities and programs.
http://www.cma.org.au/
Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada
Now autonomous from the US-based C&MA, the two bodies continue to work together on missions and share a history and theology. A brief history of the denomination is put forth, and its districts and local churches are highlighted, along with its national and global programs and ministries, a policy manual, statistical data, photographs, and video. Also included is a gift catalog, magazine subscription, and other resources, many of which may be ordered online.
https://www.cmacan.org/
A ministry of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Envision serves to identify and develop missionary leaders through short-term trips, internships, leadership development programs, and ministry opportunities within the denomination. An introductory video is presented, and its international sites, residencies, and a description of its mission trip programs are included, along with its partnerships and opportunities.
https://www.weareenvision.com/
Hmong District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
The missionary work of the C&MA among the Hmong people of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam began in 1948 and continued, as possible, throughout the war years, and was extended to the United States after Hmong military leaders and their families were resettled in the United States in 1975. Headquartered in Thornton, Colorado, member churches, district staff, and a pastoral directory are posted. A calendar of events is included.
http://www.hmongdistrict.org/
Men’s Disciplemaking is a ministry of the Christian and Missionary Alliance that was created to assist local churches in developing healthy ministries for men, with a goal of moving men from the community and disciplining them into service. Its ministries, programs, vision, and mission are highlighted, its leadership is introduced, and the need for its services is highlighted, along with the steps used to create, capture, and sustain an event.
http://www.mensdisciplemaking.org/
Mid-America District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
Serving pastors and congregations in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, a district directory is set forth, along with a database of member churches, information about the district’s church planting efforts, its church accreditation program, organizational policies, and guidelines for governing a developing church. A schedule of district retreats and conferences, a calendar of events, and the district’s bylaws and handbook are included.
http://www.madcma.org/
The US Christian & Missionary Alliance is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The denominational site includes a history of the Alliance, biographical data on key figures in the movement, and archives of historical and contemporary resources. Its mission and ministries are highlighted, along with educational articles, videos, and a calendar of events. Podcasts, devotionals, and other publications are included.
http://www.cmalliance.org/
The Christian and Missionary Alliance is an association of like-minded churches in several countries around the world. The Spanish field of the denomination is administered by the US-C&MA, but with a staff from a variety of nations. A history of the denomination’s work in Spain is offered, including ministry projects and an introduction to the team that is currently active in Spain. Prayer requests are included.
http://www.cmalliancespain.org/
