Christian Ministers' Association
Encyclopedia
The Christian Ministers' Association (CMA) is a Canadian Pentecostal group of over 250 members. The CMA originates from the Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century. It is not a traditional Christian denomination
, but "a relational networking of friends and colleagues." As a Pentecostal fellowship, CMA believes in the Pentecostal distinctive of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
, under the leadership of Alan H. Gillett and David Bradley. These two men mobilized a group of ministers and churches under a provincial charter titled Full Gospel Mission. As the denomination grew, it founded a Bible School in Eston, Saskatchewan
on 6 November 1944 called the Full Gospel Bible Institute, and it also began sending missionaries to other countries. So much growth took place in the first decade that the provincial charter had to be expanded to other Canadian provinces. Because of the inter-provincial growth, the Full Gospel Mission sought a Dominion Charter in 1944 and incorporated under the Canadian private act for Religious and Charitable Organizations in 1946 with the new title Evangelical Churches of Pentecost (ECP).
In 1953, the ECP merged together with the Apostolic Church of Pentecost
(ACOP) another early (1921) Canadian Pentecostal denomination. The reason for the merger was motivated by “the belief that walking together in unity and fellowship is the heart of God.” In spite of the merger with ACOP
and the fact that most ECP members switched over to the ACOP
denomination, ECP retained its charter so that its members could finalize any outstanding business items. Ironically, the charter for ECP was never dissolved, and the name was changed again in 1967 to The Christian Minister’s Association (CMA).
. To the verbal inspiration of the accepted canon of the Bible as originally given. To the total depravity of humanity. To the need for all of humanity to hear the gospel
and turn to Christ in faith
for redemption
. Baptism
by immersion in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. To the reality of a spiritual realm, which includes God, Heaven, Satan, a final judgment, etc. To communion
practiced as a memorial of Christ's death and resurrection.
As a Pentecostal fellowship, the CMA believes in the Pentecostal distinctive of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. CMA teaches that this experience is subsequent to the experience of salvation. In addition, it also believes in the present day use of other spiritual gifts, such as divine healing.
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
, but "a relational networking of friends and colleagues." As a Pentecostal fellowship, CMA believes in the Pentecostal distinctive of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
Objectives
The objectives of the fellowship are threefold:- The propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- To provide united support to the doctrines of Scriptures as are outlined in the statement of faith.
- To provide government credentials and to encourage and strengthen accepted ministers who wish to function within the framework of a ministerial fellowship, rather than a denominational organization of churches.
History
Like many Pentecostal denominations, the CMA originates from the exponential growth of the modern Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century. As the early Pentecostalism movement rapidly expanded, multiple Pentecostal denominations sprung up to help sustain the movement. Of these groups, the Evangelical Churches of Pentecost (ECP), originated in a town called Radville, SaskatchewanRadville, Saskatchewan
Radville is a small valley town in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. A small river, Long Creek runs through the north end of the town providing fishing and recreation to the local children and parents...
, under the leadership of Alan H. Gillett and David Bradley. These two men mobilized a group of ministers and churches under a provincial charter titled Full Gospel Mission. As the denomination grew, it founded a Bible School in Eston, Saskatchewan
Eston, Saskatchewan
-External links:*...
on 6 November 1944 called the Full Gospel Bible Institute, and it also began sending missionaries to other countries. So much growth took place in the first decade that the provincial charter had to be expanded to other Canadian provinces. Because of the inter-provincial growth, the Full Gospel Mission sought a Dominion Charter in 1944 and incorporated under the Canadian private act for Religious and Charitable Organizations in 1946 with the new title Evangelical Churches of Pentecost (ECP).
In 1953, the ECP merged together with the Apostolic Church of Pentecost
Apostolic Church of Pentecost
The Apostolic Church of Pentecost is a Pentecostal Christian denomination with origins in the Pentecostal revival of the early 20th century. Although multi-national, ACOP has its strongest membership in Canada. In 2002 ACOP reported “approximately 24,000 members in Canada, with 450 ministers and...
(ACOP) another early (1921) Canadian Pentecostal denomination. The reason for the merger was motivated by “the belief that walking together in unity and fellowship is the heart of God.” In spite of the merger with ACOP
Apostolic Church of Pentecost
The Apostolic Church of Pentecost is a Pentecostal Christian denomination with origins in the Pentecostal revival of the early 20th century. Although multi-national, ACOP has its strongest membership in Canada. In 2002 ACOP reported “approximately 24,000 members in Canada, with 450 ministers and...
and the fact that most ECP members switched over to the ACOP
Apostolic Church of Pentecost
The Apostolic Church of Pentecost is a Pentecostal Christian denomination with origins in the Pentecostal revival of the early 20th century. Although multi-national, ACOP has its strongest membership in Canada. In 2002 ACOP reported “approximately 24,000 members in Canada, with 450 ministers and...
denomination, ECP retained its charter so that its members could finalize any outstanding business items. Ironically, the charter for ECP was never dissolved, and the name was changed again in 1967 to The Christian Minister’s Association (CMA).
Beliefs
The doctrinal position of the CMA is based in a classical Pentecostal and an evangelical framework. The CMA holds to a tri-unity perspective on the GodheadGodhead
Godhead , may refer to:*Deity*Divinity, the quality of being God*Conceptions of God*Godhead , the totality of gods, in Platonism the Transcendent One....
. To the verbal inspiration of the accepted canon of the Bible as originally given. To the total depravity of humanity. To the need for all of humanity to hear the gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
and turn to Christ in faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
for redemption
Redemption
- Religion :* Redemption , an element of salvation to express deliverance from sin* Redemption, absolution for the past sins and/or protection from damnation* Pidyon haben, redemption of the firstborn son in Judaism...
. Baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
by immersion in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. To the reality of a spiritual realm, which includes God, Heaven, Satan, a final judgment, etc. To communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
practiced as a memorial of Christ's death and resurrection.
As a Pentecostal fellowship, the CMA believes in the Pentecostal distinctive of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. CMA teaches that this experience is subsequent to the experience of salvation. In addition, it also believes in the present day use of other spiritual gifts, such as divine healing.