Connecting Christian Churches Through the Restoration Movement
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Scot McKnight’s encouraging comments about the Restoration Movement and its overlooked contribution to American evangelicalism. The article also highlights the importance of connection through ministries such as World Convention and the North American Christian Convention.
- Scot McKnight described the Restoration Movement as an overlooked resource for evangelical thought and practice.
- The World Convention works to connect members of the Stone-Campbell movement around the world.
- Taylor emphasizes both the vitality and the challenges that come with independence among Christian churches.
By Mark A. Taylor
After hearing Scot McKnight speak at the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference in Cincinnati this spring, I was pleased to see what he wrote about the Restoration Movement at his popular blog (http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/)*. McKnight is a sought-after speaker and writer who teaches at North Park University in Chicago. His winsome and incisive commentary in Cincinnati on spirituality in our postmodern age showed why so many follow what he has to say.
A Welcome Word About the Restoration Movement
What he said in his blog post is especially encouraging:
I contend that the Restoration Movement, or the Stone-Campbell movement, made up of the Christian Church and the Churches of Christ, is American evangelicalism’s best-kept secret and, sadly, the most overlooked resource of thinking and praxis. These are Bible people; these are pious people; and there are lots and lots of them; and they are doing excellent work in Bible and theology and church ministry. And neglecting this movement has weakened the robustness of the evangelical voice in the USA.
I discovered the comment on a Monday morning after just returning from a board meeting for the World Convention**. This ministry, (sometimes known as the World Convention of Churches of Christ) has existed since 1930 with the purpose of connecting the far-flung members of our movement. Divided among three groups in the United States, our plea thrives without division in some corners of the world. The World Convention seeks to enrich and encourage members of this international fellowship by keeping them in touch with each other.
The Ministry of Connecting
It seems the ministry of connecting has consumed me in recent years. One of CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s key missions is to connect Christian churches and their leaders. This year we’re offering free trial subscriptions to everyone who registers for the North American Christian Convention, which bills itself as the connecting place. (Register—and get your free subscription—at www.gotonacc.org.)
One reason our fellowship has the vitality McKnight and others have observed is our independence. We study and serve and initiate without the burdens or boundaries of denominational hierarchy. But this independence has left some of us alone, without the tempering accountability of iron-sharpening-iron dialogue and study. Some have become enamored with the larger religious world while turning their backs on the rich benefits offered within our own family.
It’s good to hear an occasional reminder of all we have to offer that world—and each other.
________
*McKnight also offered kudos to Arron Chambers’s new book, Eats With Sinners. You’ll find his review by entering the book title under “Search This Blog” at his site.
**Watch our pages for a fuller report—and pictures—from the World Convention board meeting, coming soon.
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
