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.
December 1, 2022
The Little Folks' New Testament Church in Ada, Okla., has their own “elders” and "deacons” and their own minister. "They observe the Lord’s Supper. They make their gifts. Best of all they do genuine personal work."
November 17, 2022
"Why is the American Thanksgiving celebration characterized more by indulgence than gratitude?" editor Mark A. Taylor asked in 2007.
November 16, 2022
We remember Ben Merold, who died this morning (Nov. 16), by reposting this appreciation written by his longtime friend Bob Russell, with whom he led monthly retreats for ministers for many years.
November 10, 2022
Chaplains Charles DeVore and Lertis Ellett share about their service to God while serving in the military in the South Pacific during World War II. "Any man who has the courage and love to preach the gospel in civilian life can also preach it in the Army," DeVore wrote.
November 3, 2022
Kenneth T. Norris of Montague, P.E.I., Canada, wrote in 1954: "Through the power of God we shall receive new bodies. These bodies will be identifiable, incorruptible, glorious, powerful, spiritual—fashioned in the image of Christ’s."
October 27, 2022
"Our missionaries ought not to be pinched for money," Bayard Craig said during his message at a gathering of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society in 1887. "We can not compensate them for loss of friends, or possibly of health, but we can at least see that they are comfortable and that they have facilities for their work."
October 20, 2022
As we walked to the church each time my father-in-law would say, “Well, who will preach this time, you or I?” My reply would be, “You may preach this time.” . . .
October 13, 2022
"With the passage of years the movement . . . has been identified with restoration, not unity," Lewis Foster wrote in 1984. "In fact, with many, this early essential unity thrust of the movement has been allowed to drift out of sight compared with the place it once occupied."
September 29, 2022
Dr. Jack Cottrell, professor of theology at Cincinnati Christian University for 48 years, died Sept. 16, 2022. He was 84. In addition to writing 43 books, Dr. Cottrell also wrote numerous articles for Christian Standard. This one, titled "Inerrancy—Does It Really Matter?" was published nearly 40 years ago.
September 1, 2022
A day or two after the finance committee mailed the letters to the church's members, the preacher came into my office. He was furious. He shouted, “Your committee’s ruined the church!” . . .
August 25, 2022
"Pleased with the prospect of enlisting a newcomer [to teach the class], the superintendent led me to a barren, unattractive space . . . at the head of the stairs leading to the balcony of the church, where four boys around twelve years of age were huddled upon dusty, uncomfortable chairs. . . ."
July 21, 2022
We include four short items from the July 22, 1922, issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD: an editorial on the deity of Jesus, a submitted piece about "Church Letters," two obituaries, and humorous but practical advice for prospective writers.
July 7, 2022
"It was in Detroit that [Christian Standard founding editor] Isaac Errett did some of his greatest work, and in Michigan that he labored for nearly ten years in the prime of his life, establishing congregations, and writing many valuable articles and books . . ."
Greek scholar Owen Crouch was mentioned earlier this week in an article about Del Harris's induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Dr. Crouch served several Christian colleges and wrote 10 books. Today we share an article from 1953 that Dr. Crouch wrote about Acts 2:44-45.
June 9, 2022
Forty years ago, Christian Standard's editor polled readers on the "most crucial" issues facing the Restoration Movement. He promised to steer editorial content toward the themes considered most important. The results were announced June 13, 1982 . . .
May 1, 2022
Can We Restore the Unity of the Restoration Movement?
By Chris DeWelt Sometimes a cataclysmic event can sharpen one’s focus. Sometimes a difficult trial can give new meaning to all the pieces in one’s life. Sometimes suffering is the key in finding clarity of vision. My father, Don DeWelt, possessed a passion for the body of Christ to live out the prayer of Jesus for his followers: I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in
May 1, 2022
By Tom Ellsworth In 1856, postal authorities accepted a new name for a little community in southern Indiana: Santa Claus. Then, in the 1920s, the Postal Service decided there would never be another Santa Claus Post Office in the United States. Consequently, every December, more than 400,000 pieces of mail are routed through the town because of its Christmas-themed postmark. I suspect the community’s founders never anticipated the full impact of the unique name. On a little knoll just a mile or so south of Santa Claus stands quaint, white-framed Mt. Zion Christian Church, the oldest church building in Spencer
"Have we outgrown the plea?" Will Sweeney is still right. The answer is, “No.” For to outgrow the plea, we would have to outgrow the Bible. . . .
March 1, 2022
What Leaders Were Saying About This Topic 90–150 Years Ago, from the Christian Standard Archives
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May 13, 2026
Shawn McMullen
May 12, 2026
Rick Cherok
May 12, 2026
David Faust