December 22, 2025
Colegio Biblico Turns Eighty
The history of Colegio Biblico began in 1945 when Harland Cary (1916-2014), a man of principle and commitment to the Lord, dedicated himself to serving the Lord as a missionary to Mexico.
Articles for tag: Christian Churches/Churches of Christ
The Philippine Mission and The Restoration Movement: A History
The story of the Philippine Mission Churches of Christ is one of faithfulness to God’s Word, endurance amid overwhelming trials and challenges, and persistent commitment to the cause through many, many years.
Uniting for the Mission: Renew.org and ICOM Partner to Advance Global Disciple Making
In a significant move toward greater unity and impact within the Restoration Movement, Renew.org and the International Conference on Missions (ICOM) are launching a formal partnership aimed at strengthening disciple-making efforts both locally and globally.
September 19, 2023
‘One Body’ Marks 40 Years of Promoting Christian Unity
"One Body," edited by Victor Knowles, has promoted the unity of all Christians for the sake of world evangelism (as Jesus prayed for in John 17:21) for 40 years, but its focus has been on unity within the Restoration Movement . . .
September 29, 2022
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Jack Cottrell’s Thoughts on Biblical Inerrancy (1982)
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.
August 27, 2017
The NACC: Identity, Inspiration, and Ideas
By Jerry Harris Three words describe the core of the mission of the North American Christian Convention: identity, inspiration, and ideas. The convention has been crucial to the unity and vibrancy of the independent Christian church since its inception in 1927. The 2017 NACC in Kansas City, Missouri, June 27-29, was the first time I was tasked with setting up and manning a booth instead of just attending the NACC as a pastor of a local church. Even before the convention started, I was surrounded by many people critical to our fellowship. Identity As my wife and I checked in
August 23, 2012
Interview with John Craycraft
By Paul Boatman John Craycraft is executive director of the Chaplaincy Endorsement Commission (CEC) for the Christian churches/churches of Christ. Prior to his 2006 appointment, he served 16 years in local church ministries, and 26 years as a Navy chaplain, retiring as a captain. How does chaplaincy differ from ministry in the local church? In the congregational ministry you may see children born, grow up, get married . . . you live a life cycle with them. In any chaplaincy you are with people for only a limited time and then you may lose track. Ministry may be really intense, but the
March 25, 2012
How Colleges Are Coping
By Darrel Rowland With more non-Restoration Movement students added to the growing number from Christian churches/churches of Christ “who are relatively disconnected from key biblical teachings on salvation and the Christian walk,” Florida Christian College, south of Orlando, put key Bible and apologetics courses earlier in the educational process, says President William K. Behrman. “The key concern is how the institution ministers to those students. We put professors skilled at teaching key beliefs in those courses.” As at several institutions, the increasing proportion of non-Restoration Movement students at Manhattan Christian College in eastern Kansas stems mostly from growing interest in
June 13, 2011
What About Christian Churches?
We asked former contributing editor Robert Wetzel to get answers from scholars to a question we have considered in several different ways in recent months: What is the future of our movement of churches? By C. Robert Wetzel ________ The future always grows out of the past, of course, so this week we decided to put the question before three historians: Paul Blowers, Dean E. Walker professor of church history at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, Johnson City, Tennessee. Doug Foster, professor of church history; director, Center for Restoration Studies, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Newell Williams, president and professor of modern
For God and Country
By James B. North The tension between serving God and serving one”s country has been a source of dispute in Christian circles for a long time””going at least as far back as the conversion of Constantine, Roman Emperor in the fourth century. Even within the fellowship of the Restoration Movement, or the Christian churches/churches of Christ, this tension has been evident. David Lipscomb, longtime editor of the Gospel Advocate in Nashville, was not only a pacifist; he was opposed to Christians serving in the government, and even for Christian citizens to vote in political elections. Yet his has certainly been the
June 13, 2010
Two Views About the Future of the Restoration Movement: Dissolve or Thrive?
By Dick Alexander This January, Standard Publishing”s Publishing Committee, CHRISTIAN STANDARD”s contributing editors, and a few other key leaders met in a retreat to discuss the future. Key questions included, “Why does the Restoration Movement exist? What do we contribute? What is our vision for what Christian churches and churches of Christ should be and accomplish in the next decades? What do we want to look like 50 years from now . . . and what can we do today to begin painting that picture?” Although much time was given to freewheeling dialogue, two speakers set the tone with their
August 13, 2008
Both Sides and a Strong Conclusion
By Mark A. Taylor Some readers will remember Paul Williams”s wry column (March 2 issue) that mentioned his friend who always saw both sides of an issue. “On the Other Hand” was Paul”s title and the mantra of the friend he mentioned. “I am drawn to reflective people,” Paul wrote. “They know what they don”t know and are not inclined to speak until they thoroughly understand an issue.” Actually, I would have been pleased for Paul to tell you I”m the friend he described. But maybe what followed the above sentences is the reason he didn”t mention my name. (It”s
August 10, 2008
I Choose Optimism
By Ken Idleman You”ve probably heard the story of the woman who had twin 10-year-old sons, one an incurable pessimist, the other a cockeyed optimist. One day, at her wit”s end, she asked a counselor for advice. Together they came up with this plan for the boys” birthday: get two refrigerator boxes and fill the pessimist”s box with a wonderful assortment of new toys, and the optimist”s box with manure. On the big day, the woman sent her boys to their separate rooms, where the boxes had been prepared. She shut their doors and then waited outside with the counselor
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 6, 2008
Restoration Forum”“Catalyst for Change
By Sam E. Stone “At this meeting I”ve found that I have about a million brothers and sisters I didn”t even know about!” That was one person”s reaction after attending his first Restoration Forum. Those in churches of Christ share essentially the same faith and practice with those in the Christian churches/churches of Christ, with one obvious difference. Most of them do not worship with instrumental music accompaniment. The churches of Christ have been listed separately in the U.S. Census since 1906, although both groups trace their roots back to the same Restoration Movement of the 1800s. The a cappella
December 16, 2007
Scholarship in the Stone-Campbell Movement
By Douglas A. Foster So-called scholars trained in prestigious schools are blinded in their judgment by the speculations of academicians.” “Common sense is more valuable than all the accumulated knowledge of the learned.” “A theological seminary is a theological cemetery.” Sound familiar? Such ideas were a powerful part of the intellectual landscape in the early 1800s at the beginning of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Many believed that not only was scholarship useless, but that it prevented people from seeing simple truths evident to “unschooled” people. Richard Hofstadter in Anti-intellectualism in American Life shows how the new American sense of freedom and
May 13, 2007
Celebrating a Celebration
By Pat Magness Celebrations light up my life, from major events like birthdays and anniversaries to lesser-known occasions such as the first daffodil of spring or the last tomato of summer. But even with my commitment to celebrations, I was surprised to receive an invitation to be a part of the 2009 Task Force that will plan centennial/bicentennial celebrations in 2009. I must confess that I did not immediately resonate to the significance of the year 2009. Why celebrate in 2009? I began doing some research and learned there are some very important reasons to celebrate, important enough that I
September 17, 2006
NACC Viewpoint 1: We Were There
Together in Grace marked a memorable moment at the 2006 NACC in Louisville, where churches of Christ and Christian churches/churches of Christ shared worship, preaching, and a symbolic Bible exchange in a renewed call to reconciliation.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCHES: Facts & Figures
Core 2005 statistics for megachurches and emerging megachurches in the Christian churches/churches of Christ, including attendance totals, growth rates, fastest-growing churches, baptism rates, and a state-by-state snapshot.
