The Restorationist churches are the product of the Restoration movement, also known as the Stone-Campbell movement, that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century.
The primary founders of the movement were former Presbyterians: Barton Stone, Thomas Campbell and his son Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott.
After he was censured for participating in camp meetings, Stone left the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky to form the independent Springfield Presbytery.
In 1809, Stone came to believe that a congregational polity was more biblical, so he dissolved the presbytery, and members began to refer to themselves simply as the Christian Church.
Meanwhile, the Campbells had also separated from the Presbyterians to found an independent church that united with the Red Stone Baptist Association in Pennsylvania. Although their theology was similar to that of the Baptists, their desire to restore New Testament Christianity led to disagreements. After a couple of decades, the Campbells withdrew in 1930.
Walter Scott was instrumental in holding the congregation together as it transitioned from the Baptists.
As separate efforts, the Restorationists continued many of the practices of the Baptists, but moved away from the concept of sacraments, practicing baptism and the Lord's supper as ordinances. They discarded the Presbyterian practice of infant baptism for a baptism of believers by immersion, and came to view the Lord's Supper as a memorial meal, including it as part of their weekly worship.
In other parts of the country, other congregations developed that shared many of the ideals of the Stone and Campbell movements. James O'Kelly, a former Methodist, led his congregation along a similar path, as did the Baptists, Abner Jones and Elias Smith.
Rather than separating into denominations, the hopes of the early Restorationist leaders was to unify all Christians into a single body patterned after the New Testament churches. They came to think of themselves not as Protestants, but simply as Christians.
A form of unity was provided by the larger movement headed by Alexander Campbell, who traveled widely, spoke often, and published a magazine, the Millennial Harbinger.
Most of these groups grew up around, or adopted the camp meeting style of evangelism, which included weekend gatherings or revivals.
In 1832, the branches of the movement led by Barton Stone and the Campbells came together in a loosely formed association. Before long, however, the build-up to the Civil War, congregations in the North and South began to drift apart.
The split was formalized in 1906, the most visible difference between the two factions being the use of instrumental music during worship services. The Churches of Christ, in the South, forbade the use of musical instruments. In the North, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) had no such prohibition, and began to identify with other Protestant denominations, particularly in the ecumenical movement.
As the majority of the Christian Churches in the North united behind a convention, a significant minority elected to continue to operate through decentralized structures, and became known as the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
Today, there are three branches of the Restorationist movement and, with similar names, some confusion is to be anticipated. These are the non-instrumental Churches of Christ, the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ.
Some of the Churches of Christ have come to a premillennial eschatological view, as opposed to the postmillennial eschatology followed by the larger part of the movement. Some churches view Sunday Schools as a non-scriptural innovation, while others have adopted some of the practices of the charismatic churches.
A break-off from the Churches of Christ came about over the practice of assigning older members to newer members as part of an intensive program to develop active Christians. Known as International Churches of Christ, this group also adopted a more centralized structure for world evangelism.
The larger Churches of Christ have maintained its decentralized structure, maintaining a degree of group consciousness through the fellowship of churches, its educational institutions, and periodicals.
The Christian Churches and Churches of Christ have developed independent missionary and parachurch organizations, as well as periodicals.
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has retained a loose congregational polity, but has joined in a centralized organization for missionary work, education, and publishing. This policy is similar to many of the Baptist groups.
The Restorationist movement is the focus of this category and its subcategories.
Categories
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Churches of Christ | International Churches of Christ |
Recommended Resources
Representing a group of independent congregations that came out of the Restorationist movement, known as the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, a position statement is offered, with an overview of the historical roots, and a profile of the type of churches so identified. Statistics, a church locator utility, calendar of events, and job openings within associated churches, colleges, mission organizations, camps, or other ministries are included.
http://www.cctoday.com/
History of the Restoration Movement
Written by Scott Harp, the website attempts to tell the history of the Restoration movement, including its founders and others who have played a significant part in the history of the movement, the women of the movement, its songwriters, lessons, and the larger and independent movements associated with the restorationist outlook. Its schools, journals and magazines, books, and audio-video lessons.
http://www.therestorationmovement.com/
The NAC was formed from the Catholic Apostolic Church in 1863. Led by apostles, the church recognizes three sacraments: baptism, holy sealing, and communion. A profile and history of the church is given, including its vision, mission, details about its sacraments, catechism, and services. A list of member churches and resources, a description of its structure and ministries, pastoral care services, catechism, and press information are included.
http://www.nak.org/
New Apostolic Church Southern Africa
The New Apostolic Church began its work in South Africa in 1889, originally coming to Cape Town, then establishing a church in East London in 1892. A history of the New Apostolic Church, worldwide and in South Africa, is told, along with its organization, vision, mission and church life. Member churches, missions, and other programs may be found through the site, and an online shopping area is included.
http://www.nac-sa.org.za/
The publication is intended for students and ministers of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, offering a platform for biblical interpretation, history, theology, philosophy, apologetics, and cultural criticism for those who value the Restorationist perspective. Article and book review submission guidelines are posted, along with endorsements, and an article index. Paper competitions, conferences, and events are included.
http://www.stone-campbelljournal.com/
Stone-Campbell Movement Resource Collection
The collection consists of a bibliography of resources related to the Stone-Campbell movement, also known as the Restoration movement, which began in the early 1800s on the American frontier. Its focus is to make the full text of written works relating to the movement available online or links to where the full text may be viewed. Items within the collection may be browsed or search by keyword.
http://www.stonecampbellmovement.com/
Although the began as a movement for unity, the Christian Churches have become a diverse and divided group, and the various streams are now represented in several countries beyond the United States. The purpose of the World Convention is to bring together people from the Stone-Campbell family of churches from around the world into a global fellowship. A schedule of gatherings are published and the common characteristics of Stone-Campbell churches are defined.
http://www.worldconvention.org/
