The Churches of Christ are the more conservative branch of the Restorationist movement. Concentrated in the South and Southwest, they are now found throughout the United States.
The Churches of Christ were once part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In the late 19th century, a conflict grew between conservatives and progressives over the development of missionary societies. The conservatives feared that a more centralized church government would erode the autonomy of local congregations. Other concerns were that many people in the denomination were open to the use of instrumental music in worship services, to increasing the role of women in the church, and a trend toward theistic evolution and criticism of the Bible.
A motto of the church had always been, "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." Given the missionary societies and instrumental music were not mentioned as having been part of the New Testament Church, the conservatives believed that they should not be part of the modern church. They held that the Bible was clearly against women serving in leadership roles in the church, as well as Bible criticism.
Tensions between the North and South during the build-up to the Civil War may have also had something to do with the schism as well, because the split was largely along geographical lines. Things didn't come to a head until 1906, however.
The conservative faction withdrew to form the Churches of Christ. They are the most theologically conservative of the denominations that came from the Restoration movement. The progressives remained as the Disciples of Christ. Today, congregations of the Churches of Christ can be found in all fifty states, but they are strongest in the South and Southwest, where they began.
The Churches of Christ consider themselves to be a brotherhood of churches and not a denomination, as they have no central organization. They have no general conference, no governing boards, and no official publications. They believe that the New Testament churches were autonomous, so modern churches must be also. They do cooperate voluntarily in their work in orphanages, homes for the aged, and educational institutions.
However, there are groups within the Churches of Christ who oppose congregational support of such institutions. Other factions of the CoC oppose the use of church facilities for non-church activities, as well as the construction of non-church facilities. There are other variations, as well.
A distinctive among the Churches of Christ is their use of a capella singing.
The Churches of Christ believe that the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and the sole authority for faith and practice.
The Churches of Christ look to the New Testament as their sole rule of faith and practice in doctrinal or ecclesiastical matters. The Old Testament is viewed as divinely inspired but do not hold that its laws are binding under the New Covenant in Christ.
There is one true God, manifest in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Christ, the Lord and Savior, the divine Messiah, and the Son of God. They believe in the virgin birth, incarnation, atonement on the cross, and the bodily resurrection. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
The doctrine of universal sin begins at the age of accountability, at which point people are responsible to God for their sin. Christ's vicarious atonement is the only remedy for sin. Salvation requires faith in Christ, repentance of sins, confession, and believer's baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The church is the body and bride of Christ. Membership requires a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance of sin, and baptism by immersion.
Each church is autonomous and governed by a plurality of elders and deacons who are appointed by the local congregation. Traveling, non-salaried evangelists speak in the various churches, although many congregations employ a full-time pastor.
The Churches of Christ recognize two sacraments: baptism of believers by immersion and the Lord's Supper, which is observed weekly. British congregations commonly refer to the Lord's Supper as "the breaking of bread." In American congregations, it may be referred to as "communion" or the "body and blood." Most congregations use unfermented grape juice rather than wine.
Members of the church have a strong hope of eternal life, offered through the grace of God in Jesus Christ. At the end times, there will be a final judgment. Most congregations in the Churches of Christ are amillennial or postmillennial. Premillennialism is considered to be heresy.
The International Churches of Christ separated from the Churches of Christ in 1993 over a focus on conversions.
Recommended Resources
Although not an official publication of the Churches of Christ, the site is sponsored by the Forthright/GoSpeak ministry and publishes news of the brotherhood, including interviews, stories, reports from its mission fields and ministries, surveys, and other articles. Its editorial staff is introduced, and articles are sorted into a variety of categories. The publication may be viewed online, and there is also an option to subscribe to it by email.
http://brotherhoodnews.com/
Published as a printed edition since 1964, and online since 1998, articles included in the print edition will eventually be incorporated into the web edition, but they are separate publications. Dedicated to the investigation of biblical doctrine, Christian evidences, and ethical issues, the newspaper is published in print monthly. Its content can be found through a topical index or by keyword search. An author index is also included.
https://www.christiancourier.com/
Churches of Christ in Queensland
The Churches of Christ have been active in Australia for more than a hundred and thirty years, operating a wide range of missional and community assistance programs in Queensland, Victoria, and Vanuatu, and it is currently one of the country’s largest not-for-profit organizations. Its historical origins, foundational principles, identity, and mission are put forth, including its care services and affiliated enterprises.
http://www.cofc.com.au/
Churches of Christ Internet Ministries
Representing the fellowship of the Churches of Christ, the site presents the historical background of the movement, including issues of church government, beliefs, practices, and membership policies. Introductory videos, a directory of churches and ministries, a sermon archive, and a number of other resources and evangelism tools, such as Bible study aids, books, video, music, and other publications.
https://www.church-of-christ.org/
Churches of Christ Worldwide Directory
Designed to assist readers in finding local congregations of the Churches of Christ, the site uses mailing lists to feature the locations of more than 14,500 member congregations, which may be found through an interactive world map or through a keyword search. Names, addresses, worship times, web addresses, email and telephone numbers are included. Informational articles are also available.
http://www.churches-of-christ.net/
In operation since 1943, the non-profit publication is situated on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University, serving to inform, inspire, and unite the congregations of the Churches of Christ worldwide, through news sources representing statements of fact according to cited sources, as well as signed columns, reviews, and letters to the editor that offer the opinions of the authors. Archives are included.
https://christianchronicle.org/
The Fellowship of Churches of Christ
The work of the Churches of Christ in the United Kingdom is highlighted here, including a list of member congregations, and a history of the organization from its origins in the Restorationist movement. Other resources include a calendar of upcoming events, an outline of the church government, common values, and practices. Administrative contacts and links to other sites associated with the Churches of Christ are included.
https://fellowshipofchurchesofchrist.wordpress.com/
