A historical and descriptive introduction. Local practice varies; the examples below are not a judgment of a community’s faithfulness.
When and how it began
The Holiness movement grew within American Methodism and spread across denominations. It emphasized sanctification and practical love. The Church of the Nazarene’s 1908 union is one milestone within this larger movement.
Beliefs and practices
Believers seek holiness through God’s grace. “Entire sanctification” concerns wholehearted love of God and neighbor, not a claim that believers become incapable of mistakes.
A typical worship service
Singing, preaching, prayer, testimony, and invitations to pray are common. Baptism and Communion are practiced, with details varying by denomination.
What the worship space looks like
A pulpit or platform, cross, and sometimes an altar rail for prayer are common.
Branches and differences
Nazarene, Wesleyan, Free Methodist, and Church of God (Anderson) traditions overlap with this family. Church of God (Anderson) is not the same body as the Pentecostal Church of God (Cleveland). Not all Holiness churches are Pentecostal.
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Sources & further reading
Historical overviews support the account of origins. Official church documents describe the community’s own beliefs and practice.
Reviewed September 24, 2026. Broad family descriptions do not settle local policies or every contested point of history.