The Congregational Holiness Church would be a good fit in the Congregational, Evangelical, Holiness, or Methodism categories, as it is all these things, but it is also a Pentecostal denomination, so for the purposes of categorization, we will list it within the Pentecostalism category.
Founded in 1921, the denomination has roots in the Wesleyan holiness revival, as well as the Pentecostal movements of the early 20th century. The church adheres to basic evangelical, Wesleyan, and Pentecostal doctrines, such as salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues. The other gifts of the Spirit, such as divine healing, are also considered to be for the church today.
The Congregational Holiness Church holds that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
The church teaches that there is one God, who exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Jesus is the Son of God. In the Incarnation, He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life. He died on the cross for the atonement of the sins of mankind, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven, where He is exalted at the right hand of the Father.
Because of the sin of Adam, human being are fallen in sin. Those who repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified, and those who are faithful to the end will receive eternal salvation. Sanctification is a definite work of grace that is subsequent to salvation. The church believes that it is possible for a believer to fall from grace.
The church holds to three sacraments: baptism, the Lord's Supper, and foot washing. Baptisms are performed by ordained ministers of the church and are done by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All Christians should participate in the Lord's Supper and foot washing.
The Congregational Holiness Church came about as a result of a schism in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1920, largely over the issue of divine healing. The IPHC had taken a position that members should trust in God for healing, rather than in medicine and doctors. A smaller faction believed in divine healing but also felt that God sometimes used medical science as a means of bringing about healing. As the controversy escalated, the pro-medicine faction was removed from the ministerial rolls.
Led primarily by Watson Sorrow and Hugh Bowling, they withdrew from the IPHC and chartered the Southeastern Association of the Congregational Holiness Church in 1925, with twelve congregations, which was changed to the Congregational Holiness Church in 1965.
The Congregational Holiness Church polity is congregational. Local churches are grouped by districts, each with a presbytery. The highest ruling body of the denomination is the General Conference. The General Conference meets every four years and elects the General Superintendent and other officers of the denomination. The districts of the church elect five member presbyteries who, along with the general church officers, form the General Committee, which manages the affairs of the denomination between General Conferences.
Headquartered in Griffin, Georgia, the denomination has congregations in several countries outside of the United States, including the continents of Africa, Asia, North America, and South America. Within the United States, the Congregational Holiness Church is strongest in the South.
The denomination holds memberships in the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, and the National Association of Evangelicals.
Topics in this category are concentrated on the Congregational Holiness Church. Appropriate websites are those representing the denomination, its regions, missions, ministries, or affiliated organizations or corporations. Those representing local congregations should be submitted to the Local & Global category that corresponds to the geographical location of the church.
Recommended Resources
Central Georgia District of the Congregational Holiness Church
The Central Georgia district of the CHC is headquartered in Griffin, Georgia. Its address, office hours, and contacts are published to the site, along with its presbytery, department directors, and other leadership personnel, a list of member churches, and an overview of its Christian education, home missions, and world missions programs, men’s and women’s programs, youth programs, and outreach activities.
http://www.centralgeorgiadistrictch.com/
Congregational Holiness Church
Headquartered in Griffin, Georgia, the denomination traces its roots to the Protestant Reformation, the Wesleyan Holiness Revival, and the Pentecostal movement. Its history and a profile of the Christian body is put forth, along with its organizational structure, leadership contacts, and a statement of beliefs. Member churches may be found by the district or on a map, and a calendar of events is included.
https://www.chchurch.com/
North Alabama District of the Congregational Holiness Church
Churches located in the North Alabama district of the CHC are listed, with addresses and contacts, and its conference dates, camp meeting schedules, Christian education department, evangelism and home missions department, men’s and women’s ministries, world missions, and a roll of all licensed personnel for the district are posted. Sectional pastors and church sections, license application procedures, and a statement of beliefs are included.
http://www.chchurchna.com/
North Georgia District of the Congregational Holiness Church
Based in Cleveland, Georgia, the district represents member congregations of the Congregational Holiness Church in northern Georgia and portions of Tennessee. Its presbytery, home missions, world missions, women’s ministries, men’s ministries, and other leadership organizations and personnel are featured, along with member churches, a calendar of programs and events, and a statement of beliefs.
http://www.ngdistchc.org/
South Alabama District of the Congregational Holiness Church
Directions to the district offices in Deatsville, Alabama are given, including office hours and administrative contacts, a directory of member churches, and a profile of the denomination, a statement of beliefs, and a schedule of upcoming events. Contacts for its district presbytery, Christian education department, women’s ministries, and other ministries are included. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.southalabamachc.org/
