Positions and Practices

Below is a short excerpt of the official perspective of the C&MA. Click here for the complete perspective on spiritual gifts.

We, in The Christian and Missionary Alliance, believe that spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to believers in Christ to build up the church and extend the Kingdom of God. Our standard as we approach God for the release of His empowerment in our lives and the lives of the people to whom we minister should be “Expectation without Agenda.” Jesus is our focus and completing His mission is our mandate. The gifts of the Spirit are to serve His purposes in the church and in our world. With the guidelines we have been given in God’s Word, believers everywhere should embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and move out to fulfill our Lord’s Commission.

Below is a short excerpt of the official perspective of the C&MA. Click here for the complete perspective on Gender and the official statement on Sexuality.

We believe that God created people as male and female and that we bear his image (Genesis 1:27). We believe that our created body is an essential part of who we are and is good. We believe that we are to honor God with our body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As such, we believe that God’s design is that our created biological sex determines whether we are male or female.

We believe that God’s purposes in his creation are often beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8) and that we can trust his design for each human being (Psalm 139:13-16), including their created sex.

As we engage people with the grace and truth of Jesus Christ (John 1:17), we must be people of prayer who seek biblical wisdom through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (James 1:5). We believe that the gospel compels us to accept and welcome everyone with respect and warm hospitality, regardless of their gender identification. However, we believe that acceptance is not the same as affirmation. Acceptance recognizes and cares for others as created image bearers, while affirmation of their gender choices may lead us to honor something not honored by God (1 Cor. 13:6).

Below is a short excerpt of the official perspective of the C&MA. Click here for the complete perspective on Women in Ministry.

Peter explained the Pentecost experience in this way: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17). The Holy Spirit has been poured out on women and men in the same way and for the same purpose: so that we will all be empowered to live in a manner that demonstrates the character of Christ and fulfill our roles in the mission Jesus has assigned to His Church. The gifts the Spirit gives that equip believers for ministry in and through the local church are distributed to both women and men. The completion of Jesus’ Great Commission calls on all believers, male and female, to be released and mobilized to put those gifts into action. While desiring both genders to be mobilized to exercise their gifts in a variety of ministries and leadership roles, The Alliance continues to affirm its understanding of Scripture that elders are male members of the local church. This includes the elected elders of the local church and the senior/lead pastor.

…Male and female official workers who successfully complete the process outlined in the Manual [for ordination in the C&MA] are now “Consecrated and Ordained,” receiving the designation “reverend.” The use of the designation “reverend” for both men and women is left up to the local church, as is the use of the title “pastor” by a female official worker. Female official workers are empowered to serve in church and other related ministries which include preaching and teaching the Word of God, administering the ordinances under the oversight of the lead pastor and elders, and providing leadership to the church and its ministries.

Below is a short excerpt of the official statement of the C&MA. Click here for the complete statement on Sanctity of Life.

Human life is created by God and is good. Since we are uniquely created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and formed by God (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalm 139:13-16), we hold to the sanctity of all human life (Genesis 9:6; Matthew 6:26). As best as we understand, human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:4-5). It also lasts beyond death into eternity (John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 2 Corinthians 5:8-10). God gives life and breath to everyone (Acts 17:25), calling us to value equally the dignity of every individual life in its entirety, which compels us to love and have compassion for all peoples of the world (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Below is a short excerpt of the official statement of the C&MA. Click here for the complete statement on Racial Justice.

Jesus Christ came to save people of every language, tribe, and culture (Genesis 12:3; John 4:42; Galatians 3:14; 1 Timothy 2:3-6). Just as glory was translated in Jesus in his first century language and culture (John 1:14), so Pentecost translated the glory of God into different languages (Acts 2:11) and is embodied and expressed through different cultures. As a result, when the Church is at its best, we recognize how the glory of God is uniquely translated in our own culture as well as learn from how the glory of God is translated into other cultures. As we learn from one another in our diversity, we will deepen our unity in Christ. Such unity in our diversity allows us to express the glory of God together (Romans 15:5-6). No one culture fully expresses all facets of the glory of Christ.

As the gospel was translated into different cultures and languages, the early Church struggled to reconcile unity with diversity (Galatians 2:11-16; Acts 6:1 2). Assimilation was confronted to allow for diversity while maintaining a deeper unity (e.g., Acts 15:1-2, 19-21). Division and the wall of hostility between ethnic groups was demolished in Christ (Ephesians 2:14). Instead of assimilation and division, diverse languages and cultures can live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together [we] may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6, ESV).

As the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), we are called to lead in matters of justice and race. The image of God in all humanity compels us to embrace and promote racial equality and advocate for justice for those whose voices might otherwise be ignored (Proverbs 31:8-9; Isaiah 58:6-14; Micah 6:8; Luke 4:18).

Below is an excerpt of the official statement of the C&MA. Click here for the complete statement on Sexuality.

Sexuality is created by God and is good. We are created and embodied as male and female. In community we reflect image and accomplish His purpose in the world (Genesis 1:26-28). We are created for committed intimate community, free from shame (Genesis 2:24-25). For a man and a woman, this intimacy may be expressed and consummated sexually when they are united as one flesh in marriage (Genesis 2:24). The pleasure of sexual union is intended to express not only a bodily intimacy but also an intimacy of heart, soul, and mind. The divine purpose for sexual union is to reproduce children who represent God and extend rule to the ends of the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). While not explicitly included in the Genesis Creation account, sexual union is for pleasure (Song of Solomon). Furthermore, reproduction of people who represent God and extend rule to the ends of the earth is not limited to physical reproduction but also occurs through discipleship multiplication; the Creation language of being fruitful and multiplying greatly is used in the New Testament for how the Word of God bears fruit to multiply disciples (e.g., Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20; Colossians 1:6, 10).

Our created sex and sexuality are gifts from the Creator to be embraced with gratitude and worship.

At First Alliance, our central allegiance is to Jesus and His Gospel. We are people of the Kingdom, and our King is Jesus. Our prayer is the prayer of Jesus: “On earth as it is in heaven.”

First Alliance does not endorse political parties or candidates. While we may pray about upcoming elections in our worship gatherings, we do so without focusing on any person or party.

How We Communicate

We live in a world filled with constant news, tragedy, and division. It is not possible—or wise—for us to comment on every headline or cultural crisis. When it is discerned that a difficult issue needs to be addressed in real time, it is done in the context of our gathered worship community, face to face. It is very rare that a political, social or current event is addressed on a Sunday morning. Our limited time together on Sunday mornings is devoted to prayer, worship in song, and the reading and preaching of God’s Word. That said, when an issue arises in the natural context of a sermon series or passage, our pastors will not skirt the issues. We are committed to teaching the whole counsel of God’s Word and applying it faithfully to our lives today.

We also believe social media is rarely the best place for complex or sensitive conversations. Posting one-sided statements online often produces more division than understanding. Silence on social media does not mean indifference or complicity; often, it reflects a deliberate choice to engage in more personal, prayerful, and constructive ways.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus did not align Himself with a party or movement within the Roman Empire. Instead, He taught people to love their enemies, pay their taxes, turn the other cheek and walk the extra mile. When He learned of John the Baptist’s unjust death, He did not respond with vengeance or public outcry but withdrew to pray and then ministered with compassion. Jesus called both Matthew, a tax collector working for Rome, and Simon the Zealot, part of a revolutionary movement, into His inner circle. What united them was not politics, but Jesus Himself.

Our Call

God allows churches to fill different niches in His body. Each must be submissive to what He asks of them, trusting that He is using the whole body to do his work in the world together. We recognize that some churches and leaders feel called to regularly address current issues and politics head on; we do not share that practice or approach.

We encourage every follower of Jesus Christ to pray for our nation, vote in elections, and seek God’s wisdom through Scripture, prayer, and conversation with trusted believers. Some will be called into politics or advocacy, and we affirm those callings as part of God’s work in the world. But above all, we seek to model the Beatitudes and to remember that behind every issue are people—each one made in the image of God.

As we often sing in worship:

“All this tension growing stronger is just a sign it’s getting closer, He’s already on the move. The story has been written, we all know how it ends. My future has an anchor, my eyes are on the Savior, He’s coming back again. Come, Lord Jesus, come.”

Our hope is not in politics, but in Jesus.