Restoration Movement History

Stone-Campbell Dialogue Addresses Issues of Global Mission

By Guthrie Veech and John Mills Representatives of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Churches of Christ, and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ gathered in St. Louis June 8-10 for the 11th meeting of the Stone-Campbell Dialogue, an ongoing discussion intended to strengthen ties between the three “streams” of the 19th-century movement associated with Barton W. Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell. This session of the dialogue focused on global mission. The event began with a Sunday evening worship service at First Christian Church of Florissant, Missouri, a 1,500-member congregation of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Attending the service were some

June 1, 2008

One Church

TAKE THE QUIZ: “What Do You Know About the Declaration and Address“ By Victor Knowles Thomas Campbell stood at the rail of the ship and breathed deeply of the invigorating ocean breeze. He was leaving his beloved Ireland and setting sail for America. Perhaps there his health would improve. Perhaps there the religious air would be healthier too””free from the strife and division that had troubled him so in the Seceder Presbyterian Church. Upon his arrival in America in 1807, the 44-year-old minister was appointed to preach in western Pennsylvania by the American counterpart of the anti-Burgher Seceder Presbyterian Church.

June 1, 2008

What Do You Know About the Declaration and Address?

By Victor Knowles Read the main article, “One Body,” by Victor Knowles. Â Â Â 1. The Declaration and Address was written by: a. Alexander Campbell b. Thomas Campbell c. Benjamin Franklin d. Walter Scott e. Barton W. Stone 2. The Declaration and Address was published in the year: a. 1793 b. 1801 c. 1809 d. 1866 e. 1906 3. The Declaration and Address was largely a: a. Pattern for organizing New Testament churches b. Call to secede from the Union c. Primer on hermeneutics d. Document advocating Christian unity e. Treatise on instrumental music 4. Arguably the most memorable

January 3, 2008

Victor Knowles

“˜Union in Truth”: Still Our Motto!

On the 200th anniversary of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address, Victor Knowles reflects on “union in truth,” the Restoration Movement’s growth, and the movement’s divided streams—urging believers toward unity grounded in Holy Scripture.

December 16, 2007

Douglas A. Foster

Scholarship in the Stone-Campbell Movement

Douglas A. Foster traces how anti-intellectualism shaped the Stone-Campbell Movement—and how Disciples, churches of Christ, and Christian churches/churches of Christ increasingly embraced rigorous scholarship and wider academic engagement.

November 4, 2007

Ted Parks

Restoration Movement History Biographies

Common Ties, Gratefully Shared

Standard Publishing donated a major archival collection to the Disciples of Christ Historical Society in Nashville, including 19th-century periodicals, key leaders’ books, and thousands of biographical files that help preserve Stone-Campbell history.

August 29, 2007

Brad Dupray

Interview with Pete and Pat Mitchell

For 58 years, Pete and Pat Mitchell—“The Singing Mitchells”—served churches through music, revivals, and steady travel from their home in Robinson, Illinois. They share how marriage, family life, and ministry shaped their journey.

June 10, 2007

Gary Weedman

An Unfinished Restoration Acknowledged

Gary Weedman reflects on the unfinished work of restoration within the Stone-Campbell fellowship and highlights contemporary voices calling the church back to ancient worship, spiritual life, and unity.

May 13, 2007

Pat Magness

Celebrating a Celebration

Why celebrate 2009? Pat Magness reflects on the bicentennial of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address and the centennial of the 1909 Pittsburgh gathering—then points to a Lord’s Supper–centered vision for renewed unity.

December 10, 2006

LeRoy Lawson

The Restoration Movement: Its Vitality, Quirks, and Needs in the 21st Century

LeRoy Lawson reflects on the Restoration Movement’s quirks and strengths, then points to key needs ahead—renewed purpose, celebrated diversity, deeper cooperation, and relevance to the pre-Christian world.

October 1, 2006

Kent Williams

Why I Left the Christian Church

By Kent Williams I have spent my entire life in the Christian church. I graduated from a Christian church college, as did my wife. Both of my sons attended that same college. I ministered for 25 years in Christian churches. In my family and my wife”s family there are ministers and missionaries serving in Christian churches. I have led revivals, spoken at conventions, served on boards, and written articles almost exclusively with organizations associated with Christian churches. Almost all of my friends in ministry serve Christian churches. But a couple of years ago I left the Christian church. I was

September 17, 2006

David Faust

NACC President’s Message: Together in Christ

David Faust calls the Restoration Movement to rebuild unity through Christ. Using Ephesians 4 and vivid “earthquake” imagery, he urges shared mission, humble attitudes, and practical steps—prayer, heart change, and peace-making—to keep the unity of the Spirit.

July 2, 2006

Bob Russell

A Common Plea: From the New Book ‘Together Again’

A book excerpt urging humility and unity: Jesus’ words in Mark 9 and Restoration Movement leaders remind believers to be “Christians only,” while admitting we are not the only Christians.

June 25, 2006

Douglas A. Foster

1906: The True Story

A closer look at the people and correspondence behind the 1906 Census of Religious Bodies—and how its published data became a lasting symbol of the Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ division.

June 25, 2006

Thomas Langford

Restoration Movement History Alexander Campbell

We Strayed from Original Principles

Tom Langford revisits Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address to show how insisting on human inferences as fellowship tests fueled division. He offers a hopeful Lubbock example of unity pursued without sacrificing convictions.

June 25, 2006

James B. North

Relationships Prevent Misunderstandings

James B. North argues the 1906 division grew from deeper tensions than organs or missionary societies. He points to relationships, trust, and liberty in opinion as keys that might have prevented separation.

April 2, 2006

Ben Cachiaras

Restoration Movement History Christian Standard Updates News & Updates

CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: It Fills a Hole in the Sky

Ben Cachiaras reflects on The Christian Standard’s 140 years, using a willow tree metaphor to show why the magazine remains a vital hub for communication, conversation, and encouragement across the movement.

April 2, 2006

CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: 140 Years of Leadership

By Henry E. Webb Seven score years ago (to borrow Abraham Lincoln”s reckoning) CHRISTIAN STANDARD was launched in Cleveland, Ohio. It was at a time when the nation was facing a critical period of transition. The terrible Civil War had just ended. The South was defeated, demoralized, and impoverished. In contrast, the North was on the brink of a new era that would bring vigorous industrial expansion and technological leadership to part of the nation. If the South faced postwar depression, the North entered a time of prosperity and progressive expansion. Hitherto divided over slavery and war, the nation would

April 2, 2006

CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: 25 Years as the Editor

By Sam E. Stone I can”t remember just when I started reading CHRISTIAN STANDARD. My dad subscribed to it for many years. Each week it arrived at our home in Clovis, New Mexico. I do know for sure that I was reading it regularly when I was a teenager. The evidence for that is my letter to the editor that was published on August 28, 1954. At that time the venerable W. R. Walker wrote a weekly column, “The Counselor”s Question Box.” In it he responded to questions and comments from the readers. I wrote in to take exception to

January 29, 2006

Doug Priest