The Congregational Holiness Church

History:
Our Heritage:

The Congregational Holiness Church was organized as a denomination in 1921 in High Shoals, Georgia. The church has grown from twelve churches in 1921 to over 5200 churches worldwide today in 12 states and 19 countries. The International Headquarters of the church is located on 3888 Fayetteville Highway, Griffin, Georgia.

The Congregational Holiness Church is evangelical and traces its doctrinal and historical roots to the Protestant Reformation, the Wesleyan Holiness Revival and the Pentecostal movement of the early 20th Century. We embrace the cardinal Biblical doctrines of salvation by faith, sanctification, the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, divine healing, the divine Trinity, inspiration of the Bible, the incarnation of Jesus Christ through the virgin birth, the perfect sinless life of Jesus Christ, the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, the rapture of the church, and the imminent, personal pre-millennial second coming of Jesus Christ. As a denomination, the Congregational Holiness Church is categorized as Wesleyan Pentecostal. As a member of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America and the World Pentecostal Fellowship, the Congregational Holiness Church is an integral part of the national and worldwide classical Pentecostal movement.

In its relationship with other denominations, the Congregational Holiness Church has always practiced and taught an open door policy of fellowship. Our 12th Article of Faith states, "We believe the Bride of Christ is composed of the entire Spiritual Church."

Form of Government:

The Congregational Holiness Church's form of government is congregational. Articles of Faith, form of government and condition of membership cannot be changed except by a majority vote of the local churches.

At each quadrennial General Conference a full-time General Superintendent with the honorary title of Bishop is elected to administer, lead and direct the Congregational Holiness Church in its affairs and functions. The General Conference also elects a First and Second Assistant General Superintendent. These three superintendents along with an elected General Secretary, General Treasurer, and World Missions Superintendent comprise the General Executive Board. Members of the General Executive Board serve four-year terms.

The Congregational Holiness Church in the USA is divided into nine districts with each district electing a five-member presbytery. The District Presbytery is made up of a Superintendent, a First and Second Assistant Superintendent, a Secretary/Treasurer and an Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. District officials serve four-year terms.

The General Executive Board, general trustees, district presbyters, World Missions Superintendent, Brotherhood President and Women's Ministries President make up the General Committee. The General Committee transacts any major business of the church between General Conferences.

The General Conference of the Congregational Holiness Church is the highest governing body with full power and authority to designate the teachings, principles and practices of the local churches.



Statement of Beliefs:
There is but One Living and True God, the Great Creator, and there are three persons in the Godhead. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Genesis 1:1-27; Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7.

We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired Word of God. II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21.

We believe we are justified when we repent of our sins, and believe in Jesus Christ. Mark 1:15; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 5:1.

We believe Sanctification to be a definite work of Grace, subsequent to Salvation. John 15:2; 17:16-17; Ephesians 5:25-27; I John 1:9.

We believe in the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and speaking with other tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance to be the initiatory evidence of this experience. Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6.

We believe in divine healing for the body. Acts 3:2-12; 9:32-43; 5:15-16; James 5:14. We do not condemn medical science.

We believe every blessing we receive from God including Divine healing, comes through the merits of the atonement. Romans 5:11; James 1:16-17.

We believe in the operation of the nine gifts of the Spirit and encourage our people to so live that these gifts may be manifested in their lives. I Corinthians 12:1-12.

We believe in the imminent rapture of the church, and the personal, pre-millennial Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 1:10-11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7.

We, as a church, believe in the eternal redemption of all saints who are faithful to the end. Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10. But we reject the theory of "Once in grace always in grace" regardless of conduct. I Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4.

We believe all who die out of Christ will be punished eternally, but those who die in Him shall share His glory forever. Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; John 5:29; Jude 7.

We believe the Bride of Christ is composed of the entire Spiritual Church. I Corinthians 12:25; II Corinthians 11:2; Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 4:16; 5:23-33; Revelation 19:7-8.

We require all our ministers to speak the same thing, and that there be no division among us in doctrine concerning our Articles of Faith. I Corinthians 1:10.


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Personal Commitments:

We will demonstrate our commitment to Christ through spiritual examples of holy living.

We will demonstrate our loyalty to God and our commitment to the body of Christ by good works, a godly walk and faithful stewardship.

We will only engage in activities that glorify God in our body and spirit.

We will read, watch and listen to that which provides for our spiritual edification. We will live in a manner so pleasing to God that it will inspire trust and confidence from others and manifest the spiritual image of Christ.

We will give priority to fulfilling family responsibilities, to preserving the sanctity of marriage, and maintaining the divine order of the home.

We will practice moderation in lawful things and abstinence in things that are offensive or which lead to addiction or enslavement.

We will follow the Scriptural principles of modesty through our dress in a manner that will enhance our Christian testimony and will lend credence to our witness.

We will demonstrate our Christian commitment by fulfilling our obligation to society by being good citizens, by decrying social injustices and protecting the sanctity of life by speaking out against abortion & euthanasia.