Christian Missionary Alliance

The C&MA has much in common with other evangelical Protestant denominations. Three things distinguish it: (1) a greater emphasis on missions and missionaries (especially foreign missionaries), (2) a greater emphasis on Jesus' role as an emotional healer, and (3) an emphasis on the doctrine of sanctification, influenced by, but distinct from, that of the Holiness movement. In this approach, sanctification is sometimes described as "the deeper Christian life". This teaching is similar to that of the Higher Life movement and the Keswick Convention. It is perhaps best exemplified by the writings of A. W. Tozer.

The Christian and Missionary Alliance was not founded as a denomination. Rev. A. B. Simpson was a Presbyterian clergyman motivated by the spiritual needs of the metropolitan multitudes in North America, as well as by those of the unevangelized peoples in other lands. He was compelled by a sense of urgency to take this message to all nations because of Jesus' statement in Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (KJV translation).

Eventually, there developed severe division within the C&MA over issues surrounding Pentecostalism (such as speaking in tongues and charismatic worship styles). By 1912, this crisis was a catalyst for the emergence of the C&MA as an organized denomination, shifting more authority to the council and becoming more ecclesiastical. To ensure the survival of the C&MA in the face of division, Simpson put all property in the name of the C&MA. In the event of separation, all property would revert to C&MA.

By 1965, the churches adopted a denominational function and established a formal statement of faith. This new mission society soon became a major evangelical movement. Today it is a growing missionary denomination committed to evangelism around the world through church planting.

Simpson's teaching stresses four roles of Christ which are represented as emblems in the church's logo. It can be summed up as "Christ Our Savior, Christ Our Sanctifier, Christ Our Healer, and Christ Our Coming King." (1) The Cross stands for salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's Son. (2) The Laver represents sanctification, a daily cleansing from sin and power for service through the indwelling Christ. (3) The Pitcher speaks of oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the divine life and physical healing that comes from Jesus. (4) The Crown symbolizes the imminent return to earth of the Lord Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As mentioned above, this formulation has an affinity with the teachings of John Wesley and the Holiness movement.

[ see less ]