The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, also called Holdeman Mennonite, is a Christian Church of Anabaptist heritage. A man named John Holdeman (1832–1900), who was a baptized Mennonite, was instrumental in establishing the church in 1859. The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite is Conservative Mennonite and is different from other Conservative Mennonites because of its one true church doctrine.Stephen Scott: Old Order and Conservative Mennonites Groups, Intercourse, PA 1996, page 198. In 2021, the church had approximately 27,118 baptized members.
History
Origins
The congregations of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite are descendants of the Anabaptists of the 16th century. Under the influential work of Menno Simons, many of the Anabaptists became known as Mennonites. Holdeman Mennonites recognize the faith of the Waldenses and other nonconformist groups of the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual heritage and see a direct lineage through them to the Early Church. They believe that "Christ established one true, visible Church, and through her He has preserved His faith and doctrine through the ages."
John Holdeman
In the mid-19th century, some American Mennonites believed they saw in their church a spiritual decline and drift away from sound doctrine, and sought to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints". Among these was John Holdeman (1832–1900), who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, to Mennonite parents. John's father, Amos Holdeman, was interested in the revivalist movement of John Winebrenner, the Churches of God General Conference. John Holdeman became both an evangelist and a reformer. Issues he believed needed reform included the baptism of persons not giving sufficient evidence of conversion, less than diligent child training, and laxity of church discipline. Holdeman and other concerned individuals began holding separate meetings in April 1859, resulting in a permanent separation from the Mennonite church and the eventual organization of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Holdeman wrote extensively and traveled widely, and new congregations were formed in the United States and Canada.
The coming of the Mennonites from Russia
The spread of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite among other Mennonites and among the Amish was minimal until the arrival of Mennonite immigrants from the Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine), so called 'Russian' Mennonites who are of Dutch and Prussian heritage and who settled in Canada, mainly Manitoba and in the US, among other places in McPherson County, Kansas, starting in 1874. In 1878, Holdeman baptized 78 members of the McPherson County group. In 1881, he baptized 118 Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites in Manitoba who had migrated from southern Russia (now Ukraine) to North America some years before. With this group came Peter Toews, who led many Mennonite immigrants from Russia then living in Canada and Kansas into the Holdeman church.
Theology
Holdeman's teachings on salvation and the Bible probably reflect more evangelical Protestant and Pietist influence. The church began during a time of widespread revival and spiritual awakening. They believe that a person can lose his or her salvation if they stop following Jesus, termed the conditional preservation of the saints. Leaving or excommunication from the Holdeman Mennonite church is usually considered as following a loss of salvation. They believe that every person that has repented and turned their life over to Christ and follow Christ (born again as described by Jesus) is a member of the Kingdom of Heaven (Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Christ) and that the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite is a true visible church within the Kingdom of Christ. Baptism, by pouring, is the method by which born-again believers are admitted into this visible church. This physical baptism is the baptism of John and is a picture of the baptism of the Holy Spirit by Christ. Only born again Christians are baptized upon confession of faith and the request to be baptized.
Soteriologically, the new birth is considered the "cornerstone" of the doctrine of salvation. It is described as true repentance from sin and acceptance of the atoning work of Christ by faith, resulting in the redemption from sin and being spiritually born again. Those so affected will find their heart filled by God with peace, have assurance of salvation, and grace. This new birth results in one's conversion from a sinful life unto a life that "brings forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit."
In Christology, the Holdeman Church regarding the virgin birth of Jesus denies that Jesus was made from the flesh or seed of Mary and was a miraculous birth, trying to be closer to the teachings of Menno Simons and Melchior Hoffman than other modern Anabaptists. Eschatologically, they hold to an historic Anabaptist amillennial view of Christ's kingdom and reign, teaching that the present dispensation is the only time in which salvation is offered.
The church and the world are viewed as distinctly separate institutions and thus Christians are not to be conformed to the world (). To maintain nonconformity to the world, Christians must not be "compromised by worldly dress, amusements, or other worldly attractions." Worldly entertainment provided by such things as motion pictures, musical instruments, radio, television, and the improper use of the internet are to be avoided. Modesty in apparel is particularly stressed. Jewelry, "costly or fashionable attire", and bodily ornamentation detract from Christian simplicity. Each person dresses as they are impressed by the reading of the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Christian attire is most noticeable with the women, who wear dresses and head coverings. A head covering symbolizes the leadership of the husband or the father in the household as mans headship is a picture of Christ being the head of the man and God the Son submits to God the Father
Marriage is seen as divinely instituted between one man and one woman for life, for the propagation, purity, and happiness of the human race. It is only permitted between church members. In marriage, Christians are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Divorce is not the standard solution to a problem in marriage, but scripture allows for divorce when adultery has been committed, and remarriage is sanctioned for those who have divorced for adultery. From the beginning, God instituted marriage between one husband and one wife. It is because of the hardness of man's heart that Moses allowed for a writing of divorce.
Practice
The church holds to a strong Mennonite culture, and obligates its members to lead a life according to Christian principles. The members should pattern their lives after their beliefs in integrity in personal and business dealings, non-involvement in government, loving their neighbors, keeping the avoidance of sin with love, inviting the sinner to repent, and emphasis on voluntary service. Non-resistance is standard practice, whether peacemaking among individuals, regarding lawsuits, or concerning warfare among nations. Holdeman Mennonites do not vote, serve in the military, or in law enforcement professions. They consider themselves to be citizens of a heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one.
Courtship The Church of God in Christ Mennonite, via General Conference decision, has forbidden its members from pursuing 'carnal courtship,' a term that encompasses any form of dating or courtship. Instead of allowing young people to choose a partner and engage in dating rituals, every congregation has a formal youth group, which organizes group functions such as bible studies, singing evenings, or volleyball games at which young people get to know each other. If a man wants to get married, he meets with a church minister who "carries the proposal" for him. In this tradition, the minister pays a visit to the young lady to whom the young man wants to propose. She can then accept or reject this proposal. In the event that she says yes, the marriage engagement will usually be announced in church the following Sunday morning after the worship service. Weddings are simple religious services followed by a reception for guests.
Membership
Membership is through believer’s baptism, by pouring water on the believer's head after requesting to be baptized. Communion is only for members and held with bread and unfermented grape juice rather than wine. Excommunication from the Holdeman Mennonite church is the only accepted way to leave. There are cases of membership annulment, but they are rare. The Holdeman Mennonites practice shunning or avoidance toward former members by not eating at the same table with them, shaking hands with them, or having any business partnerships with them.
Worship and service
Congregations meet weekly on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and worship. Each congregation has its own schedule for other types of meetings, such as communion, teaching, fellowship, Bible study, and singing. Foot washing is practiced by ministers washing the men's feet, and the wives of ministers and/or deacons washing the women's feet. The kiss of peace is also practiced.
Worship takes place in modest buildings that may contain air condition, carpet, and padded pews, but without any musical instruments. Singing is a cappella and in four-part harmony. Preaching is from the Bible and guided by the Holy Spirit and the gospel doesn't require a seminary degree to comprehend and understand it. Most congregations also hold summer vacation Bible school classes during the summer school holidays. These are open to any children, member or non-member in their communities.
Clothing and appearance
Simplicity and modesty in clothing, personal possessions, and homes is held as an ideal. Plain dress is mandatory, which for women means a mid-length dress, and a head covering. The headcovering for daily use is black and sits on the back of the head. A second black headscarf is required to be over the head when attending church. Men do not wear a necktie in formal dress and otherwise their appearance resembles the look of a typical American businessman or other conservative Mennonites, in that they are dressed in a modest way that does not reveal much skin.
The men, "by order of creation" wear a beard out of "respect for God’s order". Believing a devotional head covering is Scripturally commanded (1 Corinthians 11:1-16) as "an outward sign of submission to God’s order," the women wear a devotional head covering "for prayer and as a sign of submission." Men don't wear a hat or head covering when praying because Christ is the head of man as God the Father is the head of Christ.
Technology
Modern technologies like automobiles, telephone, and other modern conveniences are allowed. Television, radio, movies, musical instruments, and "the improper use of the internet" is not allowed. The Church of God in Christ Mennonite encourages members to install special software, purported to be a pornography filter, developed by the technology committee on any internet connected devices. This software blocks access to social media as well as many websites that christians find objectionable. It can, if wanted, be set up so that if the app is disabled, a notification will be sent to a third party stating that the application is not active.
Ministers and church organization