Christian churches and churches of Christ

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about Christians known as the Christian Churches or Churches of Christ. For other uses, see Christian Church (disambiguation).
Independent "Christian Churches" and "Churches of Christ"
Classification
Congregationalist
AssociationsWorld Convention of Churches of Christ
Founder
Origin
Separations
Members1,071,616 in the United States

The group of churches known as the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ is a fellowship of congregations within the

proper name that is agreed upon and applied to the movement as a whole. Most (but not all) congregations in this tradition include the words "Christian Church" or "Church of Christ" in their congregational name. Due to the lack of formal organization between congregations, there is a lack of official statistical data, but the 2016 Directory of the Ministry[3] documents some 5000 congregations in the US and Canada; some estimate the number to be over 6,000 since this directory is unofficial.[who?] By 1988, the movement had 1,071,616 members in the United States.[4]

These congregations share historical roots with other, similarly named congregations within the Restoration Movement, including congregations organized within formal fellowships, such as the "Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)" or the "Churches of Christ". The congregations discussed in this article, however, have chosen to remain fully autonomous. Further distinguishing these congregations is their use of instrumental music within their worship, unlike the "Churches of Christ" who do not use instrumental music. The instrumental congregations discussed here and the a cappella "Churches of Christ" are otherwise very similar but have little contact with each other in most communities, although there is some cooperation among some larger churches and also in some educational institutions.[clarification needed]

Congregational nomenclature

The churches are independent

Church of Christ (disambiguation)
).

Separation from the Disciples of Christ

The separation of the independent Christian churches and churches of Christ from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (DoC) occurred over an extended period of time.[6] The roots of the separation date back to a polarization that occurred during the early twentieth century as the result of three significant controversies.[6] These controversies surrounded theological modernism, the impact of the ecumenical movement, and open membership (recognizing as full members individuals who had not been baptized by immersion).[6]

The Disciples of Christ were, in 1910, a united, growing community with common goals.[7] Support by the United Christian Missionary Society of missionaries who advocated open membership became a source of contention in 1920.[6] Efforts to recall support for these missionaries failed in a 1925 convention in Oklahoma City and a 1926 convention in Memphis, Tennessee.[6] Many congregations withdrew from the missionary society as a result.[6]

A new convention, the

Christian Church/Church of Christ congregations in international missions.[8] By this time the division between liberals and conservatives was well established.[7]

The official separation between the independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is difficult to date.[9] Suggestions range from 1926 to 1971 based on the events outlined below:

  • 1926: The first North American Christian Convention (NACC) in 1927[9] was the result of disillusionment at the DoC Memphis Convention.
  • 1944: International Convention of Disciples elects as president a proponent of open membership.[10]
  • 1948: The Commission on Restudy, appointed to help avoid a split, disbands.[11]
  • 1955: The Directory of the Ministry was first published listing only the "Independents" on a voluntary basis.[10]
  • 1968: Final redaction of the Disciples Year Book removing Independent churches[10]
  • 1971: Independent churches listed separately in the Yearbook of American Churches.[10]

Identity

Because the Christian churches and churches of Christ are independent congregations there is no set creed, but The Directory of the Ministry[2] contains the following general description:

Members of Christian Churches and churches of Christ believe in the deity and Lordship of

autonomy of local congregations. Following the basic principles of the 'Restoration Movement', they accept and teach believers' baptism by immersion into Christ for the forgiveness of sins; they assemble for worship on the first day of the week, also following Biblical example or inference regarding observance of the Lord's Supper part of worship. Worship also includes congregational a cappella singing of hymns, prayer, free-will monetary contribution (from the local congregation's members) as well as preaching of the Gospel, frequently in concert with other applicable Bible-based topics. They seek the unity of all believers on the basis of faith in and obedience to Christ as the divine Son of God and the acceptance of the Bible particularly the New Testament as their all-sufficient rule of faith
and practice.

Baptism

Baptism by immersion

Of the principles cited above, one characteristic marks most Christian Churches and Churches of Christ as distinctly different from other modern

Evangelical
Christian groups. That is the teaching that a person receives the remission of sins at the point of his or her baptism.

Educational institutions

The Christian Churches/churches of Christ support a variety of Bible colleges and seminaries. Because there is no official "denominational" structure in the movement, the local colleges often serve as information centers and allow the local churches to maintain connections with each other.

India

Colleges and seminaries Location Date Founded
India Christian Bible College Kerala, South India 1980

Canada

Colleges and seminaries Location Date Founded
Alberta Bible College Calgary, Alberta 1932
Maritime Christian College Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 1960

Philippines

Colleges and seminaries Location Date Founded
International Christian College of Manila San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines 2005
Manila Bible Seminary Pablo Ocampo Street, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City, Philippines 1926

United States

Colleges and seminaries Location Date Founded
Boise Bible College Boise, Idaho 1945
Blueridge College of Evangelism Wytheville, Virginia 1971
Bushnell University

(formerly Northwest Christian University)

Eugene, Oregon 1895
Central Christian College of the Bible Moberly, Missouri 1957
Colegio Biblico[12] Eagle Pass, Texas 1945
Crossroads College Rochester, Minnesota 1913
Dallas Christian College Dallas, Texas 1950
Emmanuel Christian Seminary Johnson City, Tennessee 1965
Florida College Temple Terrace, Florida 1946
Johnson University Florida

(formerly Florida Christian College)

Kissimmee, Florida 1976
Great Lakes Christian College Delta Township, Michigan 1949
Hope International University

(formerly Pacific Christian College)

Fullerton, California 1928
Johnson University Knoxville, Tennessee 1893
Kentucky Christian University Grayson, Kentucky 1919
Lincoln Christian University Lincoln, Illinois 1944
Louisville Bible College[13] Louisville, Kentucky 1948
Manhattan Christian College Manhattan, Kansas 1927
Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, North Carolina 1948
Mid-South Christian College Memphis, Tennessee 1959
Milligan University Milligan College, Tennessee 1866
Northwest College of the Bible[14] Portland, Oregon 1950
Ozark Christian College Joplin, Missouri 1942
Point University East Point and West Point, Georgia 1937
Saint Louis Christian College
 Florissant, Missouri 1956
Summit Christian College Gering, Nebraska 1951
Summit Theological Seminary Peru, Indiana 1974
William Jessup University

(formerly San Jose Christian College)

Rocklin, California 1939

Defunct schools

  • Puget Sound Christian College, opened in 1950 but closed in 2007.[15]
  • Cincinnati Christian University, opened in 1924 but closed in 2019.
  • In October 2023, Lincoln Christian University announced that it will be closing on May 31, 2024.[16]

Creeds and slogans

A number of creeds and slogans have been used in the Restoration Movement to express some of the distinctive themes of the Movement.[17]: 688  These include:

  • "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent."
  • "The church of Jesus Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one."
  • "We are Christians only, but not the only Christians."
  • "In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things love."
  • "No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no law but love, no name but the divine."
  • "Call Bible things by Bible names."

See also

References

Citations

  1. ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8
    .
  2. ^ a b ARDA 2012.
  3. ^ Directory of the Ministry 2019.
  4. ^ "Groups - Religious Profiles | US Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  5. ^ The naming practice is taken as applied doctrine from Paul's use of city names in writing epistles to "the church which is at Corinth" or "the church at Thessalonica" etc.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Dunnavant & Foster 2004, p. 185.
  7. ^ a b Kragenbrink 2000.
  8. ^ Dunnavant & Foster 2004, p. 9.
  9. ^ a b Garret & Foster 2002, p. 407.
  10. ^ a b c d Garret & Foster 2002, p. 408.
  11. ^ Garret & Foster 2002, p. 409.
  12. ^ "Educacion". Colegio Biblico.
  13. ^ "louisvillebiblecollege.org". www.louisvillebiblecollege.org.
  14. ^ "NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF THE BIBLE". ncbible.org.
  15. ^ "Puget Sound Christian College". Archived from the original on 2006-07-14. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  16. ^ "Lincoln Christian University to close in May". Higher Ed Dive.
  17. ^ Dunnavant & Foster 2004, p. 688.

Sources

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