The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) is an evangelical Protestant denomination that was founded in 1887 by Rev. Albert Benjamin Simpson. The C&MA places a strong emphasis on worldwide missionary work, believing that spiritual lostness must be addressed globally. Here is an overview of the C&MA’s key beliefs and practices:
Key Beliefs
The C&MA adheres to evangelical theology and emphasizes the core doctrines of:
- The inerrancy and authority of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- The Trinity – God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
- The deity and sinless life of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 4:15)
- Christ’s death on the cross and bodily resurrection for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
- Justification by faith alone in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers (Romans 8:9)
- The spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:28)
In addition to these evangelical essentials, the C&MA places strong emphasis on the pursuit of sanctification and living a Holy Spirit-filled life. There is an expectation that Christians grow in Christ-likeness through the process of sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). The C&MA also stresses the continuance of miracles, signs, and spiritual gifts for believers today (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
History
The C&MA began through the ministry of Rev. Albert Benjamin Simpson, a Presbyterian pastor and theologian originally from Canada. In 1881, Simpson resigned from his pastorate to found an independent gospel ministry focused on world evangelization, deeper Christian living, and global missionary work. This ministry was known as the Christian Alliance.
In 1887, Simpson gathered ministers in New York City to formally organize the Christian Alliance. The group supported itself through voluntary donations and contributions so it could remain independent and interdenominational. In 1897, the Christian and Missionary Alliance was officially incorporated in New York State.
Under Simpson’s leadership, the C&MA placed strong emphasis on living in constant dependence on the Holy Spirit’s power and directions. Simpson advocated for divine healing and encouraged Christians to combine evangelism, concern for social issues, and compassionate ministry to the needy. The C&MA began missionary outreach in the late 1880s, with workers sent to Congo in Africa.
Following Simpson’s death in 1919, the C&MA experienced steady growth under the leadership of Rev. Paul Rader and Rev. A.W. Tozer. It developed missionary work in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, and Iran. In 1974, the C&MA officially became a denomination and soon expanded in the United States following the Vietnam War. Today it has ministry sites in 90 world countries.
Governance and Organization
The C&MA has a representative form of church governance. Local churches belong to geographical districts and regional conferences. Oversight is provided by the Board of Directors and the president of the C&MA. The denomination’s international office is in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Individual C&MA churches are self-governing but commit to the principles, polity, and purposes of the C&MA. Local churches belong to their district and support home and world missions financially. The senior pastor provides main leadership to the local congregation.
There are approximately 2,000 C&MA churches in the United States with nearly 400,000 members. Worldwide, the C&MA has over 6 million members across 90 countries. It has a multiethnic membership, though about two-thirds are Caucasian.
Worship Style
Local C&MA churches have autonomy over their worship style. There is diversity in worship preferences across C&MA churches. However, most services include contemporary choruses and hymns, corporate prayer, Bible teaching, and an emphasis on proclaiming the gospel.
Some C&MA churches have a more traditional worship format with hymns, choirs, and organ music. Others utilize a contemporary worship team leading songs with guitars, keyboards, and drums. The styles vary based on the church demographics and local leadership’s preferences.
Pentecostal expressions like speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy are generally permitted during worship in C&MA churches. However, oversight is given to ensure proper order and edification of the body (1 Corinthians 14:26-33).
Positions on Social Issues
The C&MA has official positions on certain social issues and ethical matters based on its understanding of Scripture. These include:
- Sanctity of life – The C&MA affirms the personhood of the unborn and opposes abortion, except when the mother’s life is endangered (Psalm 139:13-16).
- Marriage – The C&MA defines marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5).
- Sexuality – The C&MA believes God designed sexual intimacy only for a monogamous heterosexual marriage. Same-sex relationships are viewed as sinful (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9).
- Gender roles – The C&MA affirms distinct roles and responsibilities for men and women in marriage. While valuing women in ministry, it believes the office of senior pastor is reserved for men (1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:1-7).
In issues not directly addressed by Scripture, C&MA churches have freedom to follow their conscience after prayerful consideration. There is diversity in political affiliations and social engagement among C&MA members.
Relationship to Other Denominations
The C&MA has fellowship with a range of evangelical denominations. However, it has not officially aligned itself with any specific Protestant tradition. The C&MA ordains its own ministers rather than relying on external church structures for ordination.
The C&MA has historical and theological connections to Pentecostal and Holiness movements through its founder A.B. Simpson. It shares similarities with Baptist churches in congregational polity. There is also some doctrinal commonality with conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches.
The C&MA is a founding member of the National Association of Evangelicals. It partners with groups like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for outreach events. The C&MA also has connections to the World Evangelical Alliance.
The C&MA has cordial relationships with the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox churches. However, significant doctrinal differences remain over issues like justification, purgatory, prayer to saints, and Mariology.
Requirements for Membership and Leadership
To become a formal member of a C&MA church, an individual must:
- Make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ
- Give evidence of having been born again by the Spirit (John 3:3)
- Be baptized as a believer
- Subscribe to the principles, polity, and purposes of the C&MA
Members commit to supporting their local church through prayer, service, financial giving, and loyalty. They participate in congregational voting and leadership nomination.
To serve in licensed or ordained ministry roles, the C&MA has additional requirements related to education, ministerial experience, and assessment. Credentials are issued at the district level based on these criteria being met.
Christian Education
The C&MA places strong emphasis on Christian education as a means for discipleship and spiritual formation. Many local churches run Sunday School programs, youth groups, and Bible studies.
The denomination operates two liberal arts colleges in the United States – Nyack College in New York City and Simpson University in California. These institutions train many future C&MA pastors and missionaries. Nyack Seminary offers graduate programs in alliance ministry training.
For children, the C&MA has developed the Scripture Union program to promote Bible literacy and memorization. C&MA youth ministries utilize Campus Life ministry resources for evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development.
Alliance Missions
Global missions work has been a central focus of the C&MA since its founding. It has workers serving in more than 90 world countries, many of which are considered politically or economically “closed” to outside Christian influence.
The goal of C&MA missions is to work for spiritual lostness wherever the need is greatest. It emphasizes going to unreached people groups, planting new churches, and training national believers for ministry. C&MA missionaries focus on word-and-deed ministry to holistically address spiritual and physical needs.
The C&MA has endorsed the Lausanne Covenant for world evangelization and supports cooperative efforts like the World Evangelical Alliance. At the local church level, the C&MA promotes personal participation in short and long-term missions work.
Key Figures in C&MA History
Some notable Christian leaders who have impacted the C&MA include:
- A.B. Simpson (1843-1919) – Founder and first president of the C&MA. Established the denomination’s focus on spiritual life, evangelism, and missions.
- Paul Rader (1879-1938) – Second president who oversaw growth in publications, radio broadcasts, youth ministry, and relief work.
- A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) – Influential pastor, author, and editor of Alliance Life magazine for 31 years.
- Nik Ripken – Missionary and author of books like “The Insanity of God,” based on ministry to persecuted Christians.
- Levi Lusko – Popular pastor and conference speaker at Fresh Life Church in Montana.
The C&MA Today
The C&MA continues to experience steady growth as it enters its second century of ministry. Some current priorities include:
- Planting new churches in the United States and worldwide.
- Renewed emphasis on deeper discipleship and Holy Spirit dependence.
- Utilizing media and technology for evangelism and biblical education.
- Increased ministry focus toward Muslim populations.
- Developing rising young leaders for ministry impact.
The C&MA remains committed to its core evangelical beliefs while also cultivating diversity in its U.S. and international membership. It actively works to build bridges across ethnic and generational lines for gospel-centered ministry.