Sanctification by Dr. Dennis D. Engbrecht

[From: The Theological Development of the Missionary Church 1969 – 1994.  Dr. Engbrecht is Senior Vice President of Bethel College, Mishawaka, IN  and Professor of History] 

 SANCTIFICATION

A third significant theological development within the Missionary Church since the 1969 merger relates to the constitutional position on "Sanctification and the Filling with the Holy Spirit. Both the MCA and the UMC had experienced some strife amidst their respective denominations over the doctrine of sanctification. In 1923 a debate took place at the MCA General Conference between those who supported a progressive sanctification and those who held to the original MCA position of a crisis experience subsequent to salvation. Eventually a committee of six drew up a statement that reaffirmed the original position of the church.17 Nearly three decades later in 1952 at the UMC General Conference, the Pennsylvania District presented a resolution effectively withdrawing from the denomination stating that "the position of our district on our interpretation of the doctrine of holiness …conflicts with the principles" of the UMC.18 In both cases the conflicts led to great losses in their respective denominations. The MCA lost several churches, pastors and professors at Fort Wayne Bible Training School. The UMC lost 44 churches, 4,489 members and $1.5 million in property, equal to one-third of its constituency. At the same time, both conflicts led to "a clearing of the doctrinal atmosphere" giving the "cause of unity…a big impetus."21

At the point of merger in 1969 the Missionary Church essentially adopted the position of the United Missionary Church on sanctification in its new constitution. However, in 1985 the constitutional commission, with General Board approval, brought a revised statement on sanctification to the General Conference in Toronto. The two most significant changes allowed for a progressive sanctification and eliminated the phrase "to die to self, to be purified in heart."22 A spirited debate took place on the conference floor followed by a vote. Since the recommendation involved amending the constitution, a two-thirds majority was required.

The motion failed by the closest of margins. The action of the General Conference was similar to that of the 1923 conference in Grabill at which the historic MCA position on sanctification was upheld. This time, however, there was no massive exodus of pastors and professors. In fact, the 1985 General Conference adopted a new preamble to the constitution which for the first time officially acknowledged its Wesleyan roots along with German Anabaptist and American revivalistic backgrounds.

¹⁴.Constitution and General Conference By-Laws of the Missionary Church Association (Fort Wayne, Indiana: Bible Truth Publishers, 1966), p. 2.

¹⁵. Ibid., p. 2. ¹⁶. The Constitution and Manual of the United Missionary Church (Elkhart, Indiana: Bethel Publishing Company, 1959), p. 15

¹⁷. Jared Gerig, A Vine of God's Own Planting (Fort Wayne, Indiana: Fort Wayne Bible College, 1980), pp. 163-65. ¹⁸. Mennonite Brethren in Christ, Pennsylvania Conference 1952 (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: n.p., 1952). ¹⁹. Gerig, A Vine of God's Own Planting, p. 165. ²⁰. Storms, p. 75. ²¹. Gerig, A Vine of God’s

Own Planting, p. 165; Storms, p. 75. ²².1985 General Conference Journal (Toronto: n.p., 1985), p. A-12