The Cry for Holiness

Today was an outstanding day.  Our pastoral team participated in a summit on holiness -- put on by the Wesleyan-Holiness Study Project and supported by the following:

Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist Church, Salvation Army, Church of God (Anderson), Wesleyan Church, Brethren in Christ, Evangelical Friends, Church of the International Foursquare Gospel, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Church of God in Christ, Shield of Faith, and others.

After Dr. Jack Hayford opened the summit with a personal word of exhortation on holiness, the day was filled with scholarly presentations, panel discussions, and lots of small group interaction and collaborative discussions -- all focusing on holiness in the 21st century.

Why are all these groups addressing the issue of holiness?  Well, in part, it's because despite the place which holiness occupied in their respective heritages, they recognize their commitment to holiness has waned in the past century and that today -- perhaps more than ever -- it needs to be rekindled and rearticulated.

Here's how Kevin Mannoia, WHSP chair and former NAE president characterized it today:

The integrating of social and personal transformation is no longer merely the extreme rhetoric of warring councils and denominations.  The old battle lines have become blurred and groups which historically would never have conceded to one or the other are talking simillar language and calling for authentic engagement.  Throughout denominations and new networks of churches alike there is interest in centered-set theology that is generous...Before us is a new door requiring a compelling, guiding vision that is theologically rooted and outwardly directed toward transformation that is not sectarian, isolationist, enclavish, or dogmatic, but integrative, transformational, apostolic, and missional.  That can come from the holiness call... The future of the Church will be much more defined by missional and theological streams of thought than by institutional and structural lines.  Organizations will morph into networks.  Contracts will become partnerships.  Negotiated statements will become relationships.  In this dynamic and messy environment, the clear voice of God's call to holiness can serve in unprecedented ways for unity and direction.

But here is what really got us excited: the preliminary statement regarding Holiness in the 21st Century, hammered out by WHSP partners.

Download holiness_for_the_21st_century.doc

Reactions to this document were amazingly varied.  Many of the church leaders present today wanted to reject the document simply because it was filled with way too much "theo-speak."  Others thought it was outstanding, just the way it is.

What do YOU think?

And how might YOU edit or change this understanding of holiness if, in fact, you would?

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A final suggestion - check out the various papers and articles on holiness which appear on the WHSP website.