CHURCHES OF CHRIST
History
The first Churches of Christ in the United Kingdom emerged out of a regional Restoration Movement in the 15 th century. The American Restoration Movement, or the second Great Awakening, inspired the Churches of Christ in the United States three hundred years later. This movement was an attempt primarily by fundamentalist Christians to return to doctrine based exclusively on the Bible. Revivals were commonplace events as men like Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell traveled mostly through the South and Southwest regions of the country, garnering the support of like-minded believers. The Australian Churches of Christ were products of the Campbell-Stone movement of the early 1800’s.
Beliefs
Followers of the Churches of Christ believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Each human being, once old enough to be accountable for his or her actions, is susceptible to sin. The only way to atone for one’s sins is vicariously through the death and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The Churches of Christ also believe in the Godhead and do not regard the Trinity as biblical. It is important to the Churches of Christ to maintain a connection between New Testament history and the present. Like the first century church, congregations are viewed as the body and bride of Christ, and Jesus is considered the true founder. Congregants are encouraged to analyze the scripture and come to their own understanding of God’s inspired word, and there is some variation within the Churches of Christ due to the absence of formal organization. However, the fact that the universally accepted creed is found in the Bible alone maintains a consistency between congregations.
Practices
Churches of Christ participate only in worship and faith practices that are referenced in the New Testament. For example, because there is no evidence of the use of instruments in the first century church, worship is conducted a cappella. Aside from repenting of sins, asking for forgiveness, and accepting Christ as Savior, it is also necessary to take part in full-immersion baptism to receive salvation. The congregations also share the Lord’s Supper each week. In keeping with the New Testament tradition, women are considered valuable to the congregation, but they are not allowed to teach in church or lead worship.
Organization
There is no structural organization associated with Churches of Christ. Considered “pre-denominational,” it is the belief of these congregations that, according to the New Testament, churches should be autonomous. Ministers are ordained, but not necessarily licensed. Ministers are not to assert authority beyond moral guidance. Consistent with these churches avoidance of hierarchy, each minister is referred to as “brother.” Elders, who are sometimes referred to as shepherds,.are responsible for congregational governance. The scriptural standard regarding who should serve in this capacity can be found in1Timothy 3:1-8: “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.”
There are currently over 40,000 Church of Christ congregations spread over 90 countries. Only slightly over a third of these congregations are in the United States. Most of the United Kingdom Churches of Christ have become the United Reform Church or Fellowship of Churches of Christ. The Australian congregations are still known as the Australian Stone-Campbell group. Churches elsewhere in the world, especially those found in developing countries, are the results of biblical correspondence courses and missionary efforts to plant churches.
Profile prepared by Alexis Liverman
October, 2007
