The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite denomination currently has over 22,000 members worldwide. Who began this particular branch of the Anabaptist church, why did he do so, and what are the beliefs and practices?
John Holdeman's Roots in the Mennonite Church
The "Ohio and Eastern" conference of the "Old Mennonite" Church was established in 1840, more than a century after the Franconia conference in Pennsylvania. In the 1800s, Mennonites were migrating west across the United States for new farming opportunities.
Born in 1832, John Holdeman grew up in Wayne County, Ohio. At twelve years of age, he experienced the new birth; perhaps a bit young for a child reared in the Mennonite Church, but not terribly remarkable. At 21, he reaffirmed his faith and was baptized, becoming a full member of the local Mennonite church.
Over a period of several years, he observed that the congregation and denomination were not living up to the standards in which he believed. He attempted to convince others to improve, but his efforts did not succeed.
After six years as a full member of the Mennonite Church, he began worshipping with a small group of fellow believers in 1859.
John Holdeman Founded the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
Holdeman began to attract other leaders who joined in the ministries of preaching and evangelism. The movement also spread across state and international borders. The first two men to be ordained in the new church were Frank Seidner and Mark Seiler of Ohio. Other early ministers were Tobias A. Unruh of Kansas, Peter Toews and Wilhelm Giesbrecht of Manitoba, F. C. Fricke of Michigan, and H. J. Mininger of Pennsylvania.
One thread woven in Holdeman's life story is that he spoke of revelations direct from God, in addition to working from the Bible or earlier Anabaptist writings. He was undoubtedly a charismatic leader; this sense of receiving knowledge directly from God may have been a significant contributing factor. By his death in 1900, Holdeman had founded a denomination of about 750 people, preached at over one hundred locations, and written a book.
Some Mennonites from Russia Also Joined the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
By the 1870s, many Mennonites left Russia due to concerns about political changes. Many of them went to the prairies of North America, to grow wheat much as they had in Ukraine. They also were seeking Mennonite connections.
Holdeman's message was especially attractive to one of the Russian Mennonite groups, the Kleine Gemeinde ("Little Community" or "Little Church"). There had similar beliefs and practices, so its immigrants were attracted to Holdeman's congregations.
As well, Polish Russian immigrants from the Ostrog area also immigrated; many joined the new denomination because they found it difficult to assimilate with the "mainstream" Mennonite Church.
Specific Beliefs of John Holdeman and the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
Holdeman was a Mennonite Christian. He believed strongly in the founding principles of the Anabaptist faith. He preached the need for salvation through the new birth and the personal experience of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. It seems evident that he was influenced by contemporary evangelical Protestant beliefs and practices.
Holdeman also advocated stronger practices of church discipline than most in his contemporary Mennonite Church. As noted, the Kleine Gemeinde from Russia had similar views from their experiences.
Another thread of belief was that "the Church" was founded on the original day of Pentecost, and so the true church must have an unbroken continuity of belief, doctrine and practice from the first century to the present. Apparently Holdeman thought that the Mennonite Church was drifting from this continuity.
The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite accepts the 1632 Dordrecht Confession's Eighteen Articles of Faith. This foundational statement of doctrine is important for many Anabaptist groups, although Swiss Mennonites disagreed with its principle of discipline by shunning.
Holdeman's Mirror of Truth (originally "Spiegel der Wahrheit") remains an important statement of church doctrine; so are the points made in the Anabaptist Martyrs' Mirror.
Differing from some other Mennonite and Anabaptist denominations, alcohol and tobacco are seen as evil carnal habits. A specific view is that the "current dispensation" is the final chance for humanity to be saved; Jesus will return to reign forever at some time and without providing a second opportunity for salvation.
As with other Anabaptists, non-violence and non-resistance are key virtues.
Particular Practices of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
This denomination's practices are more distinctive in degree than in kind, depending on the branch of Anabaptism used as a yardstick. Internal discipline includes wearing specific styles of clothing, church attendance, agreement with established doctrine and respect for the leaders: deacons, elders and bishops. Discipline is enforced by admonition and shunning.
Generally children are taught in the church's private schools rather than in public schools. Adults tend to farm, although land prices force some to find other work. Typically they would still avoid being "yoked with unbelievers" in secular work, however.
The men wear plain clothes; women wear a cap or kerchief, surprisingly in black rather than white.
Leaders are chosen from within the local congregation, who receive no formal institutional training. Those who preach and lead also work at their regular jobs.
This denomination has a long history in local evangelism and foreign missions, as well as doing practical relief work where required.
Today's Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
Today the "Church of God in Christ, Mennonite", is sometimes known as the "Holdeman Mennonites". This denomination could be seen as a tapestry of Anabaptist and evangelical Protestant beliefs and practices. In some ways, its history is similar to the Amish, who also broke from "mainstream" Mennonites around 1700 in an attempt to remain true to the teachings of Menno Simons and his way of following Jesus Christ.
Several other denominations include the words "Church of God in Christ", but the Pentecostal Holiness denomination is not related. Neither are a number of other denominations and individual churches.
For more information, read more about the earlier Amish breakaway in "How the Amish Split from the Mennonite Anabaptists". "Modern Mennonite Beliefs" and "Overview of Mennonite History" provide other introductions to the Mennonites.
References:
Church of God in Christ, Mennonite web site, "Church of God in Christ, Mennonite", referenced Aug. 4, 2011.
P. G. Hiebert, Clarence Hiebert and Otis E. Hochstetler, GAMEO, " Church of God in Christ, Mennonite (CGC) ", 1989, referenced Aug. 4, 2011.
Bender and Hostetler, GAMEO, " Mennonite Church (MC) ", referenced Aug. 4, 2011.
Mike DeHaan - Copyright (c) Mike DeHaan, B. Math., of DeHaan Services. Well written and well researched freelance articles; ghost writing for clients.
