This book was written especially as a heart-cry to the Pilgrim Holiness Church of New York and the Ministry of the Conservative Holiness Movement.

Although written primariy to stir the church body of a small denomination which is close to the author's heart, it is also applicable to many other small denominations, along with scattered individuals throughout the older holiness churches, which makes up what is commonly called "the conservative holiness movement." These Six Chapters address some of the issues due to exclusivity, sectarianism, spiritual pride, and detachment from the real struggle, which characterizes so much of the conservative holiness scene.

In the introduction, the author asks the question and then comments accordingly: "Are we willing to accept the futile and absurd as normal? That remains to be seen. But one thing is not controversial. Whether or not we acknowledge need of reform, we all profess to believe we need 'revival,' and we pray and seek whatever this has come to mean. I watched for years as one far more gifted than I (I refer to Rev. H. E. Schmul, Sr.) tried to gently nudge us toward reform. But during that period and under his powerful influence the need for reform in the conservative holiness movement only deepened. Being persuaded that what we really believe makes us what we are, I have purposed to look into my own heart and at those practices in our movement which might suggest the reforms we need."

About the Author: Fred McCulley of Lake Placid, NY, is the author of How's That Again, Paul? Referring to that book, the late Rev. H. E. Schmul, then director of the Interchurch Holiness Convention, wrote words of praise for the book's premise and expressed a wish that all of his good friends would read and understand it. McCulley was brought up in a conservative wing of the Holiness Movement, and served 20 years in its ministry. He was a leading figure in his denomination's resistance to that metamorphosis which has produced the current form of the mainline holiness churches. While he deeply loves the conservative holiness tradition, his response to its emphases and practices can in no way be called "knee jerk." His conservatism seems radical--even to many in his own tradition. But its radicalism finds its theological meanings and takes its directions from the Holy Scriptures. For that reason it speaks renewal to all of evangelicalism and hope to our 21st century.