Possible Sticky: What is the Restoration Movement?

[HeyHomie]

The term "Restoration Movement" refers to a collection of individual congregations without any centralized governing heirarchy, but who share similar core beliefs.

The goal of the Restoration Movement is to return to Biblical Christianity as practiced in the First Century. This means doing away with things that the leaders of the Restoration Movement thought were, at worst, un-Biblical, and at best, un-necessary. These things include, but are not limited to, rituals, written creeds, and governing heirarchies. Please note that the Restoration Movement makes no claim to being the continuation of the original Christian church. Rather, we strive to restore our worship and practices to what we believe was practiced in the first century church.

The key beliefs of the Restoration Movement that set its congregations apart from other evangelical Protestant churches are:

1) "No Creed but Christ." Acceptance of or adherence to a written creed is not necessary for fellowship, church membership, or participation in church practices. No Restoration Movement congregation has any written creeds.

2) "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." In essence, this means that congregations affiliated with the Restoration Movement reject chatechisms and the like, and base their beliefs only on Scripture.

3) "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love." Believers affiliated with the Restoration Movement will not exclude other Christians from fellowship based on differing beliefs on "non-essential" doctrines. Restoration Movement believers will show love to believers with whom they may disagree.

4) "We are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only." Restoration Movement believers do not claim to be the only Christians, and we accept other believers who profess to believe in Jesus Christ as our brothers and sisters. However, we do not attach any other name to ourselves other than "Christian."

5) "The priesthood of all believers." We believe that all believers are "priests" and can access God through prayer without a human intermediary.

The main practices of the Restoration Movement are as follows:

A) Local control of congregations. Any and all decisions that affect a congregation, such as hiring, transfer or termination of staff; budget allocations; building projects; etc. are made by that congregation. No congregation is accountable to any governing heirarchy.

B) Lord's Supper every Sunday. We celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday. Any baptized believer is welcome to participate.

C) Believer's baptism by immersion. Only those who choose to baptised are baptised (we do not baptise infants or children who are too young to understand the decision). We baptise by full immersion.

D) Beauty through simplicity. Most Restoration Movement churches are rather austere, rejecting such things as candles, artwork, or stained glass windows, and are decorated quite simply.

Restoration Movement churches go by several styles of names. The most common type of name is the combination of a geographical place, for example a city or a street, and the words "Christian Church" or "Church of Christ." For example, if you're in Kalamazoo and you drive by Kalamazoo Christian Church, you can be 99% it's a Restoration Movement congregation.

There are some Restoration Movement congregations that practice non-instrumental worship. They almost exclusively use the name "Church of Christ" (as opposed to "Christian Church"). However, not all congregations that use the term "Church of Christ" are non-instrumental.

For more on the founding and the history of the Restoration Movement, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone-Campbell_Movement.

For a thorough treatment of the five branches of the Restoration Movement and the divisions (some minor, some major) between them, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disciples_of_Christ.

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That's my proposed sticky to explain the Restoration Movement to any seekers or lurkers. Please feel free to offer additions, deletions, corrections or clarifications as you see fit.

 

[Mrs. Enigma]

Restoration Movement believers do not claim to be the only Christians, and we accept other believers who profess to believe in Jesus Christ as our brothers and sisters.

I don't think that is gonna be very unanimous in here, although I personally agree with that.

 

[Andy Broadley]

I hadn't seen this section before, so I guess it must be fairly new.

God Bless you all and I will keep you in my prayers.

Hope yo see some of you drop by the Salvation Army section occasionally.

 

[Tranceformer110]

I don't think that is gonna be very unanimous in here, although I personally agree with that.

I've never met anyone in the Rm who thought they were the only christians. And I have met quite a few.

 

[constance]

For more on the founding and the history of the Restoration Movement, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone-Campbell_Movement.

For a thorough treatment of the five branches of the Restoration Movement and the divisions (some minor, some major) between them, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disciples_of_Christ.

I would prefer to see the wiki links going to internal CF wikis than to external wikis.

For a couple of reasons - one - they're all so long - and two - the DoC wikipedia entry has a lovely paragraph about Jim Jones and the CoC wikipedia entry has an equally lovely paragraph about the International Churches of Christ. While I'm not interested in revising history, frankly, neither the Jim Jones fiasco or the ICoC have any relevance to current events. I can't imagine how absorbing this information would be productive to anyone seeking information about the Restoration Movement.

Constance (whose DoC husband had to take a 2 day psych eval to make sure he wasn't a megalomaniac before he could be approved for ordination)

 

[Frame1520]

Yes, I've never heard of a coC belief that they are the only christians. I'm sure there are people out there who think that, but they are misguided in their belief.

 

[GK]

Yes, I've never heard of a coC belief that they are the only christians. I'm sure there are people out there who think that, but they are misguided in their belief.

Unfortunately, I've run into a number of congregations like that out here on the west coast. I even interviewed for a pastoral position in one a few years back. They held the belief if you weren't baptized inside a church building on a Sunday morning at a regular service, in a church with the right words on the sign out front (meaning another CoC they agreed with), you weren't really a Christian.

 

[Frame1520]

Unfortunately, I've run into a number of congregations like that out here on the west coast. I even interviewed for a pastoral position in one a few years back. They held the belief if you weren't baptized inside a church building on a Sunday morning at a regular service, in a church with the right words on the sign out front (meaning another CoC they agreed with), you weren't really a Christian.

Thats just ignorant. Sorry to hear about that experience...There are people on all ends of the spectrum out there. It's a shame that they drag other people into believing in the ridiculous made up "traditions" that they choose to follow.

We used to have an extreme family at our church. They were almost amish, and basically sent people out of church by bullying them, being so legalistic. They were scary, and did a lot of harm for the cause of Christ, and saving people.

 

[GK]

*nod*

In the mean time, I think it's great to include the statement in the sticky "Restoration Movement believers do not claim to be the only Christians, and we accept other believers who profess to believe in Jesus Christ as our brothers and sisters." because there are others who have had experiences like mine.

 

[Frame1520]

*nod*

In the mean time, I think it's great to include the statement in the sticky "Restoration Movement believers do not claim to be the only Christians, and we accept other believers who profess to believe in Jesus Christ as our brothers and sisters." because there are others who have had experiences like mine.

I agree.

 

[SoulFly51]

I've never met anyone in the Rm who thought they were the only christians. And I have met quite a few.

Man, I have.

That's the thing about being autonomous (meaning each congregation is governed by its own eldership).

Beliefs can differ from one extreme to the other depending on where you go and who's leading the church.

 

[SpiritualPilgrim]

Granted that I'm on the so-called liberal end of the RM (DoC), but my experience is that we state that we are not the only Christians, and thus far, I've not met any that have said that we are, though I'll allow that there very well could be some that feel that way, but just don't say it.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Thank you for this thread. I am currently trying to find a church that is more closer to my belief system -- which is the early New Testament church (like you all believe in) and the more I read up on the RM the more I think that is what I am looking for.

Do you guys mind if I look in on what you are posting and ask questions?

 

[HeyHomie]

Do you guys mind if I look in on what you are posting and ask questions?

Not at all. Ask away.

 

[Frame1520]

Do you guys mind if I look in on what you are posting and ask questions?

Please do! There are some fairly knowledgable folks in here!

 

[woman.at.the.well]

there are any RM churches out there that take part in the type of early New Testament church I see illustrated in Acts 2:42-47 as copied and pasted (from www.biblegateway.com) below in southwest U.S.A?:

The Fellowship of the Believers

Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I have bolded the part that I don't seem to find in any church that I have attended (not just RM churches). I read a really good book called, "Living On Purpose," by Tom and Christine Sine last year. It is phenomenal. And I have been looking for that kind of church/community ever since. Hence being led toward RMs. Even though the authors of the book are Presbyterians (from what I remember) they seem to be talking about the same type of church the RM is representing but it's so hard to find at least in my area (Southwest, U.S.).

I was baptized in a CoC and really loved the poeple there. It so reminded me of what it will be like when Jesus comes and we go "home" every time I went to that church. I miss it and wish we wouldn't have had to move away from it. But I also missed the instruments in worship. I love contemporary worship music. So what would be the best way for me to go there? I assume a "Christian church," as adverse to the CoC?

I know it is extremely difficult to find one that teaches exactly how we feel led to fellowship in our hearts but to even find a church that comes close to that is daunting it seems.

It seems like most churches (including RM churches) agree on following the teachings of the Apostles (as written above from Acts 2:42 and Paul, etc. but tend to vere off the rest of what was exampled in that section of scripture.

Like, not using the power we have in the Holy Spirit for healing as well as other Gifts of the Spirit (like prophecying, etc) as shown in v. 43. If I remember correctly the CoC said only the Apostles could perform miracles. Is that correct?

I also wonder why I never see any churches becoming communities like I read about in "Living On Purpose," who did like the early Christians in v. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every church (including RM types) I've ever been to has the "have's" and "have nots" just like the rest of society and I'm wondering why that is? Maybe you guys can direct me differently. I'm open for anything and will not attack whatever you have to say on the matter so please don't take that question wrong. I truly am in search of the early New Testament church.

I guess I just wonder why some things are practiced like the early church and why some things are kind of forgotten about.

Another thing I really miss about the people from the CoC I was baptized in is how warm and loving they were and how they took part in what I see exampled in v 46-47. It seemed like every week we were getting invited to go to someone's home for dinner, etc. It was a really neat environment to have children in.

I would like to go back to that if I knew that the whole text of this scripture was followed. Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for letting this non-denom take part in this discussion and for being so kind and helpful!

Peace and blessings to you!
WATW

 

[HeyHomie]

Well, it seems to me like what you're looking for is basically a commune. I know of no church, RM or otherwise, that practices exactly like the churches in that passage did, except maybe the Amish and some others on the lunatic fringe.

Two things to keep in mind. One is that there have been, throughout Christian history, some congregations that tried to live according to that model, and they have been dismal failures. These were mostly in the second and third centuries. The other thing is that I think this verse exemplifies an attitude that we're to have rather than an actual practice that we're commanded to do. For example, in my congregation no child will ever miss out on church camp if he wants to go. There are people in the congregation, myself included, who are willing to write a check for the kid if the parents can't afford camp tuition. Nor will anyone in our congregation do without food. You get the idea. It doesn't mean that we all pool our money into a big pot and take what we need. It just means that we see that each other's needs are met. I have much more than some other people in my congregation, and there are people in my congregation who have much more than I do. It's part of life.

As far as music: any congregation with the words "xxxx Christian Church" on the marquee is going to have instruments. The music may be traditional organ-and-piano, or it may be a full worship band with guitars and all that, or somewhere in the middle. If the marquee reads "xxxxxx Church of Christ" it's a different matter. If you lived in the South, it's 99% likely that the congregation is non-instrumental. If you live in the Mid-west, it's 50-50. In the Southwest - I have no idea .


The best thing I can tell you is to try out different congregations for a series of Sundays and find one whose music suits you. If you're looking for an instrumental congregation, you may want to avoid the Churches of Christ. If non-instrumental is your thing, you may have to make a few phone calls.

Good luck!

 

[Frame1520]

ditto, Homie.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Well, it seems to me like what you're looking for is basically a commune. I know of no church, RM or otherwise, that practices exactly like the churches in that passage did, except maybe the Amish and some others on the lunatic fringe.

Two things to keep in mind. One is that there have been, throughout Christian history, some congregations that tried to live according to that model, and they have been dismal failures. These were mostly in the second and third centuries. The other thing is that I think this verse exemplifies an attitude that we're to have rather than an actual practice that we're commanded to do. For example, in my congregation no child will ever miss out on church camp if he wants to go. There are people in the congregation, myself included, who are willing to write a check for the kid if the parents can't afford camp tuition. Nor will anyone in our congregation do without food. You get the idea. It doesn't mean that we all pool our money into a big pot and take what we need. It just means that we see that each other's needs are met. I have much more than some other people in my congregation, and there are people in my congregation who have much more than I do. It's part of life.

As far as music: any congregation with the words "xxxx Christian Church" on the marquee is going to have instruments. The music may be traditional organ-and-piano, or it may be a full worship band with guitars and all that, or somewhere in the middle. If the marquee reads "xxxxxx Church of Christ" it's a different matter. If you lived in the South, it's 99% likely that the congregation is non-instrumental. If you live in the Mid-west, it's 50-50. In the Southwest - I have no idea .


The best thing I can tell you is to try out different congregations for a series of Sundays and find one whose music suits you. If you're looking for an instrumental congregation, you may want to avoid the Churches of Christ. If non-instrumental is your thing, you may have to make a few phone calls.

Good luck!

I had a feeling this would be your response as this has been my experience. I have already started looking around at other churches but thank you for your suggestion.

Although I would prefer to think of what I'm looking for as a "Whole Life Faith (or attitude as you put it)," as written about in the book I mentioned yesterday, not a commune per se - since communes tend to have a "cult" inference along with them.

I guess I'm looking for a congregation that goes over and above Sundays and Wednesdays if you get what I mean. Like the CoC I attended when I got baptized that I mentioned below only with contemporary worship music. And then the people spend time together over and above services like a family, since we are the family of God. As far as I know there IS CoC's that do use instruments in worship in some cases, just not close to me.

So I'll keep looking in my area and in here if you don't mind! The RM may well be the closes thing I'll find to what I'm looking for and I sure do appreciate you both (heyhomie and frame1520) for your help. Bless you!

 

[Frame1520]

Happy to be of any assistance! Its hard in this day and age to find a group of believers who DO go above and beyond the "call of duty" when it comes to God's family. There are too many people who just put in their 2 hrs a week, and that's it! (I like to call these folks, "Sunday Morning Sitters".) In any event, there are plenty of congregations out there that are similar to what you are looking for (in the RM), but not necessarily EXACTLY what you are looking for. It's good to feel good about where you are going, and have a nice fellowship..But, with that said, to me at least, a place where the bible is taught and the bible only is the most important thing. I think in MOST RM churches you will find that. (At least I hope so.)

Be blessed!