September 14, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Playing Hurt’ (2012)
In his well-known sermon "Playing Hurt," Wayne Smith asked, "Will you stay in the game . . . even if you've been hurt? God had only one son without sin, but no son without sorrow. . . ."
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.
September 7, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY—‘Mark Collis: Conditions that Make for a Long Ministry’ (1933)
"For over forty years Mark Collis has ministered with Broadway Church, Lexington, Ky. Here he lets us into the secret—unblemished reputation, scrupulous use of time, patience, sense of humor, faithfulness to the New Testament teaching, and unselfishness." . . .
August 24, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Bad Speech Habits of Preachers’ (1948)
"[M]ost ministers in practicing their calling pick up such bad habits in pulpit technique that after ten to fifteen years, most of them stand in need of professional help." . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘What Our Websites Say About Baptism’ (2012)
In 2012, Daniel Overdorf and two friends examined 250 Christian Church and Church of Christ websites to determine how they presented their view of baptism to the public. Overdorf offers good suggestions for churches.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Gospel Plan of Salvation’ (1927)
In 1927, L.A. Chapman, minister in Bedford, Ohio, compiled this listing of Scripture verses that "answer the question, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ presented without note or comment.”
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘What If? . . .’ (1993)
Thirty years ago, Tom Claibourne posed several "what if" questions from the Bible. Examples: What if Mordecai had bowed down to Haman? What if Paul's tent business had taken precedence over his ministry? . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘When Christians Disagree’ (1957)
Dr. Henry E. Webb wrote in 1957: "A necessary condition for the success of any approach to Christian unity is the development of a satisfactory concept of Christian liberty—one that recognizes the right of another person to exercise his sincere mental and spiritual faculties with the freedom we demand for ourselves. . . ."
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘IDES Was Started by a Man with a Mission’ (1991)
In honor of the 50th anniversary of IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service), we again share a 1991 article about Milton B. Bates, the man who started the disaster relief organization. IDES will mark its anniversary with an open house July 8 at its headquarters in Noblesville, Ind.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Missionary Who Makes Mistakes’ (1963)
"Nobody seems more mistake-prone than the average missionary (with the possible exception of presidents, congressmen, mothers and fathers of teenagers, umpires, and tax assessors)," Ward Patterson, tongue firmly in cheek, wrote in 1963. "That the missionary should so excel in error-ability is a phenomenon worthy of the interest of all of us . . ."
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Why I Encouraged My Son to Be a Minister’ (1942)
More than 80 years ago, several Christian fathers wrote on the topic, “Why I encouraged my son to be a minister.” Today, we dust off and share two of those responses. The first is from Victor E. Hoven, father of Ard Hoven. The second is from R. C. Foster, father of Lewis Foster.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Excerpts from 3 Essays About Pentecost
"It is my conviction that the day of Pentecost is the focal point in the history of the world," Wm. E. Sweeney wrote in 1929, ". . . that all the lines of history before that time converge to that great day, and that all the lines of history since that time have diverged." . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Outstanding Mistakes of Preachers’ (1953)
In 1953, Leon Appel wrote: "A few of the suggestions made by elders and deacons at this [Kiamichi] clinic, if taken seriously, may help the preacher to extend the term of his ministry in a given field, and enlarge his measure of usefulness." . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Men of Church Dig Coal’ (1933)
This short news item from 1933 is notable mainly for describing the lengths to which the congregation in Streator, Ill., went to heat their church building during the Great Depression. . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Charcoal Sketches of Some of Our Pioneer Preachers’ (1919)
James A. Stevens, who ran newspapers in Mississippi and Texas after the Civil War, shares brief recollections of Alexander Campbell, Tolbert Fanning, W. K. Pendleton, Thos. W. Caskey, and others.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Our Strength’ (1903)
In a 1903 issue, Christian educator and author D.R. Dungan (1837–1920) listed 15 strengths of our movement. No. 6: "Administering the ordinances in the same way and at the same time and for the same purpose as did the apostles and those who were taught by them, gives us strength in ourselves and character and standing before the world."
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Celebrating 37 Years of Christian Standard (1903)
The June 27, 1903, issue of Christian Standard was interesting for its extensive celebration of the 37th anniversary of the magazine. The issue listed hundreds of the magazine's "charter subscribers" who continued to receive the publication. . . .
BOB VERNON: Christian TV Broadcasting Pioneer
Bob Vernon may not have blazed trails through uncharted wilderness regions in the style of famous explorers like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, but he was a genuine pioneer in the emerging frontier of Christian television broadcasting.
March 9, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Lying for the Love of It’ (1907)
This brief anecdote was the shorter, secondary item in J. W. McGarvey’s weekly “Biblical Criticism” column for the issue dated May 11, 1907. It is notable mainly because Restoration Movement pioneer “Raccoon” John Smith plays the pivotal role in the story.
February 16, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘When Every Preacher Was an Evangelist’ (1920)
“Brief word pictures [by evangelist J. Vincent Coombs] of a few of the men [John T. Johnson, ‘Raccoon’ John Smith, J. M. Canfield, L. C. Warren] who have typified the character of our evangelism at various stages of the history of the Restoration Movement. May every preacher be an evangelist.”
February 2, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Dates of Interest to All Members of Churches of Christ’ (1931)
In preparation for the 1931 North American Christian Convention, slated for June 17 to 21 of that year in Lexington, Ky., Christian Standard published a list of important dates in Restoration Movement history. . . .
