March 1, 2024
Oldest Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
A listing of Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ started before 1860 . . .
Restoration Movement History
Restoration Movement History explores the people, ideas, and events that shaped the Stone-Campbell/Restoration Movement and its ongoing influence on the church today. Discover articles on key moments, core convictions, significant leaders, documents, and the movement’s theological and cultural development. You’ll find historical context, biographies, and thoughtful reflections that help readers understand where the movement came from and how its story continues to inform ministry and discipleship. This hub is for anyone who wants a deeper grasp of Restoration Movement roots and legacy.
March 1, 2024
Story
We all have a story, and so do our churches and movement. . . .
January 18, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: McGarvey’s Address at the Graves of Veteran Preachers in Kentucky (1909; Part 2)
Christians gathered at The Lexington Cemetery in 1909 to hear J.W. McGarvey offer his recollections of eight "pioneer preachers" who are buried there, including John T. Johnson, Raccoon John Smith, Robert Milligan, and more. (Part 2)
January 16, 2024
Why the Restoration Plea Is Still Valid
"Minister shortages. Closing churches. Struggling theology schools," The Christian Chronicle wrote in a recent editorial. "All are happening in Churches of Christ in the U.S., which raises the question: Is the restoration plea still valid?" . . .
January 11, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: McGarvey’s Address at the Graves of Veteran Preachers in Kentucky (1909; Part 1)
Christians gathered at The Lexington Cemetery in 1909 to hear J.W. McGarvey offer his recollections of eight "pioneer preachers" who are buried there, including John T. Johnson, Raccoon John Smith, Robert Milligan, and more. (Part 1)
January 4, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Small Is Beautiful’ (1981)
"Someone ought to say a good word for the small church," Joseph H. Dampier wrote in 1981. "The reported observation of Abraham Lincoln that the Lord must love the common people because He made so many of them could be applied to small churches because there are so many of them." . . .
December 24, 2023
‘The Spirit of Christmas Eve’ (1906)
In this excerpt from a 1906 essay, Anna D. Bradley responded to a correspondent who contended that Christmas Day was "handed down from heathendom." . . .
December 21, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Christmas at Simeon’s House’ (1978)
"We need to share Simeon’s experience," Editor Sam Stone wrote in 1978. "We need to see the Lord this Christmas. Simply hearing of the infant in a manger is not enough, however. We must look with the eye of faith to Calvary, knowing that there He died for us." . . .
November 30, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Characteristics of Thomas Campbell’ (1909)
Alexander Campbell provided this description of his father, Thomas Campbell, in a volume called "Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell," published in 1861. Almost 50 years later, Christian Standard extracted and published this short portion . . .
November 16, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Thank God for the Depression’ (1933)
"Why not be thankful this year?" minister Orval M. Morgan wrote at the height of the Great Depression. "What are a few years of depression when compared to God’s eternity? . . . God is still God; Christ is still the Saviour of the world; the Holy Spirit our Comforter; prayer our privilege and the Bible our open Book. . . ."
November 15, 2023
Readers Help to Double Size of Oldest Independent Christian Church Listing
From almost the moment we posted a list of the oldest Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ still meeting for worship each week, we began receiving updates to our list from readers. The list of churches that started before 1860 stood at 51 when we posted it on Nov. 1. Since then, it has grown to 105. . . .
November 2, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Scriptures that Have Helped Me’ (1983; Part 2)
The assignment in fall 1983 was simple and direct: “Write a short paragraph telling of some verse or verses of the Bible that have special meaning to you.” Today we share responses from Ard Hoven of Grayson, Ky.; Barton McElroy of Duncanville, Tex.; Robert A. Scott of Waterloo, Iowa; and Jerzy Sacewicz of Warsaw, Poland.
November 1, 2023
Oldest Independent Christian Churches (Please Help Us Update This List)
Christian Standard is compiling a list of the oldest Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ that are still gathering for worship each week, but we need your help. Please review this list of churches that started between the years of 1800 and 1859. If you know of a church that we have overlooked, or if you see incorrect information . . .
November 1, 2023
Is It Time for a New Restoration Movement? (Part 2)
By Jim Putman As I shared in Part 1, I am skeptical of any new view of original things. My reasons are twofold. First, when speaking about something historical in nature, eyewitnesses and their contemporaries are more likely to have it right. Second, Scripture warns that people will come seeking to change views that were once well understood. Thomas Campbell, a Restoration Movement founder, coined the phrase, “Where the Bible speaks, we speak, and where it is silent, we are silent.” It captures the spirit of Romans 14 and resonates with me. Freedom exists where Scripture is silent, but we
October 26, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Scriptures that Have Helped Me’ (1983; Part 1)
The assignment in fall 1983 was simple and direct: “Write a short paragraph telling of some verse or verses of the Bible that have special meaning to you.” Today we share responses from Edgar Nichols of Myrtle Creek, Ore.; Bill Jessup of San Jose, Calif.; Orval M. Morgan of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Murhl S. Rogers of Indianapolis, Ind.
October 25, 2023
RENEW.org, College Press Partnering to Re-release Novel about Alexander Campbell
RENEW.org and College Press are collaborating on the re-release of "The Fool of God," a novel that tells the story of Alexander Campbell, a key pioneer of the Restoration Movement. The book is a factual retelling of Campbell’s life. It will be available at ICOM . . .
October 19, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Origins of Lincoln Christian University (1944)
"The closing hour of the Evangelistic Rally at Lincoln, Ill., Feb. 23 and 24, marked a culmination that will be of wide interest," Christian Standard reported in March 1944. "The announcement by Earl C. Hargrove, minister at Lincoln, that a new preacher-training school would be opened there in September sent a thrill over the great crowd. . . ."
October 12, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Importance of State Missions’ (1903)
"Ohio presents a mission field of marvelous ripeness and of vast extent. The gifts of our entire brotherhood might be poured into it for years, and yet not gather all of the harvest that is ripe for our hands," the corresponding secretary for the Ohio Christian Missionary Society wrote in 1903. . . .
October 5, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Avalanche’ (2014)
"When I think of the moral decline on display in California today, the only word that comes to mind is 'avalanche,'" Dudley Rutherford wrote in 2014. He presciently warned, "I hope you get the idea, because it's coming to a town like yours" . . .
September 28, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Greatest Enemy of Christianity in India’ (1953)
"Bernel Getter, a young Wisconsin missionary who is home on furlough after five years in India’s Central Provinces because of a severe case of malaria," told Midwestern church audiences in 1953 that, "denominationalism is Christianity’s greatest enemy in India” . . .
