A Christian tradition, and the Christ at its center
The Restorationist Churches (Churches of Christ)
Enter a Stone-Campbell church and you meet a people longing to be simply Christians, following the pattern of the earliest church described in the New Testament. Worship is often unadorned and Scripture-saturated: singing, prayer, teaching straight from the Bible, and, in most congregations, the Lord's Supper shared every week. A well-known saying captures the spirit: no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible. You may notice a warmth toward all who trust Jesus and a reluctance to add human requirements to the plain gospel. This family includes the Churches of Christ, the independent Christian churches, and the Disciples of Christ, which differ from one another in style and structure yet share common roots. Whether the singing is unaccompanied or full of instruments, the aim is the same: to gather around Jesus, the apostles' teaching, and the fellowship of believers, and to keep the faith uncluttered.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”Acts 2:42
“One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”Ephesians 4:5
What it is
The Restorationist movement, often called the Stone-Campbell Movement after two of its early American leaders, arose in the early nineteenth century out of a desire to move past denominational division and restore the simple faith and practice of the New Testament church. Its guiding hope was Christian unity through returning to Scripture alone, expressed in mottos such as no creed but Christ. Over time the movement developed into several streams: the Churches of Christ, which typically sing without instruments; the independent Christian churches and churches of Christ; and the Disciples of Christ, which is more formally organized. Common convictions include the sole authority of the Bible, believer's baptism by immersion, weekly Communion, and local congregational autonomy. The tradition tends to avoid binding creeds beyond the confession that Jesus is Lord. It is found mainly in North America and, through mission work, in many countries worldwide.
How they worship and what they hold
Worship is generally plain and centered on Scripture, reflecting the aim to do what the New Testament church did. Services include congregational singing, prayer, reading and preaching of the Bible, and, in most congregations, the Lord's Supper observed every Sunday as a regular remembrance of Christ. Some streams, notably many Churches of Christ, sing without musical instruments, holding to unaccompanied voices, while independent Christian churches and Disciples commonly use instruments. Baptism is by immersion and follows a personal profession of faith; many in this tradition connect it closely with receiving forgiveness and new life in Christ. Congregations govern themselves locally, usually led by a plurality of elders, and resist top-down hierarchy. The tone honors the pattern of the apostles: devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer, week by week.
The Christ at the center
At the heart of this tradition is the simple confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Wary of dividing over elaborate human creeds, these churches rally around Jesus himself as the one essential center, holding that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. They confess him as the crucified and risen Savior in whom believers find forgiveness and new life. Their reluctance to bind extra requirements is meant to keep Christ, and Christ alone, at the center of Christian identity and unity. Beneath the distinctives of weekly Communion, immersion, and congregational freedom stands the common Christian confession shared across the church: that Jesus died and rose for our salvation, that he is Lord, and that all who trust him belong to him. The aim is a faith stripped to its living heart.
Questions people ask
Are they Christian?
Yes. Restorationist churches in the Stone-Campbell Movement are Christians who confess Jesus as the crucified and risen Lord and center their faith on the New Testament. Their aim is to be simply Christians, holding no creed but Christ and no book but the Bible. Distinctives such as weekly Communion and baptism by immersion flow from a desire to follow the earliest church closely.
Can I visit?
Yes. Visitors are warmly welcomed. Expect a plain, Scripture-centered service with singing, prayer, and preaching, and in most congregations the Lord's Supper every Sunday. Some Churches of Christ sing without instruments. You can simply attend and listen; no participation is required. Members are typically glad to greet newcomers and answer questions about what you experienced.