churches christ churches christ autonomous christian congregations associated common beliefs practices seek base doctrine practice bible order church described churches christ teach god saves adds church believe christ sin confess jesus christ son god baptized jesus christ forgiveness sins grants gift holy spirit acts churches christ united_states heritage bible based effort began places people sought return original teachings practices christian leaders including kelly similar movements impacted eventual phenomenon known restoration ideal similar somewhat connected earlier restoration efforts europe movements colonial america differing somewhat details group consisted like minded christians independent declared independence denominations traditional seeking fresh start return doctrines practices church establishing new church sought unification christians single body patterned original church names church christ disciples christ adopted movement believed terms biblical prior congregations associated reported movement developed tensions grew emphasized unity emphasized restoration resulting division musical instruments worship known chose sing cappella congregations cappella tradition subject article visible distinction groups disagreement organizational structures level missionary societies issues highlighted differences groups underlying approaches biblical interpretation churches christ practices present accounts worship church find documentation use instrumental music worship practice forbidden considered officially recognized distinct movements separation churches christ christian churches taking place gradually decades purely north american phenomenon active mission efforts began 18th century churches christ africa asia australia south_america central_america europe overview members church christ conceive new church started near beginning 19th century movement designed reproduce contemporary times church originally established strength appeal lies restoration christ original church modern churches christ historical roots christians lines search return original pre christianity participants movement sought base doctrine practice bible recognizing traditional councils come define christianity century members churches christ believe jesus founded church current divisions christians express god basis restoring christian unity bible simply identify christians forms religious identification believe church established christ churches christ generally share following theological beliefs practices autonomous church organization oversight refusal hold formal informal statements statements faith stating instead reliance bible doctrine practice local governance male elders baptism believers forgiveness sins weekly lord supper british congregations term breaking bread commonly american congregations terms communion particularly rarely churches christ hold closed communion viewpoint practice congregations rarely prohibit visitors taking communion view visitor examine decide decline minister elders members decide akin open communion small segment churches use juice instead wine practice cappella singing rejection instrumental music worship keeping history churches christ claim sole rule faith practice deciding matters doctrine ecclesiastical structure col view old testament inspired historically accurate consider laws binding christ repeated new testament believe demonstrates person christian universal church christ church collectively organized carry purposes demographics churches comprise members individual congregations worldwide approximately congregations united_states overall membership approximately million million estimates proportion adult population associated churches christ vary roughly congregations members predominantly african american congregations members spanish speaking average congregation size approximately members churches christ 12th largest religious group based number members 4th largest number congregations membership churches christ grown approximately period membership grew states declined current retention rate young adults graduating high school appears approximately percentage members attending services appears high relative christian groups membership concentrated membership states churches christ presence counties placing fifth catholic_church southern baptist convention assemblies god average number adherents county low divorce rate lower national averages church christ common group keeping non focus recently congregations identified primarily community churches churches christ earlier tradition identify congregation church particular location description primary motivation desire use biblical identify church found adherents referred academics denominations following teachings similar term offensive said goal bible things bible names early slogan congregations generally avoid names associate church particular man christ particular doctrine theological point view lutheran reformed believe christ established church use names serves foster division christians expressed ideal unity declaration address church jesus christ earth essentially intentionally terms recognized based use new testament church god church lord churches christ church born church living god house god people god recognized terms church god avoided avoid confusion identification groups use designations practical matter use common term seen way help individual christians find congregations similar approach scriptures members understand way trying use term church christ exclusively criticized identifying congregations individuals capitalize word church phrases church christ churches christ based understanding term church christ descriptive phrase indicating church belongs christ proper church organization autonomy leadership church government churches christ central headquarters councils organizational structure local church level independent congregations network congregation participating discretion means service fellowship congregations church churches christ churches christ linked shared commitment restoration principles congregations participate church congregations refuse pool resources order support outside causes mission work orphan homes bible colleges etc called non institutional congregations generally overseen elders assisted administration works elders generally seen responsible spiritual welfare congregation seen responsible non spiritual needs church serve supervision elders assigned direct specific successful service seen preparation elders appointed congregation based qualifications found including persons male female elders recognized congregations look elders mature understanding scripture enable supervise minister teach perform governance functions absence willing men meet qualifications congregations overseen congregation men general early restoration movement tradition located 20th century long term formally trained minister norm churches christ ministers understood serve oversight elders qualified elder presence long term professional minister created significant facto ministerial authority led conflict minister elders remained ultimate authority congregation small segment churches christ oppose located minister concept churches christ hold believers special titles ministers identify clergy ministers undergraduate graduate education religion specific training preaching non college school preaching churches christ emphasize distinction clergy member gift role play work church variations churches christ identifiable mainstream churches christ significant variations fellowship approach taken restoring church focused methods procedures church organization form worship church function result divisions churches christ result disputes meaningful members movement seriousness goal restoring form structure primitive church quarters congregations membership described mainstream sharing general consensus practice theology congregations allow hand use musical instruments worship notable departure cappella style singing notable practices churches christ remaining congregations grouped categories generally differ mainstream consensus specific practices theological perspectives tend smaller congregations average largest categories non institutional churches christ group notable opposing support institutions homes bible colleges approximately congregations fall category remaining groups congregations generally considerably smaller mainstream non institutional groups oppose institutional support differ non institutional group beliefs practices group opposes separate sunday school classes group consists approximately congregations groups generally overlap cup group overlap mutual group group opposes use multiple communion cups term cup describe group approximately congregations group congregations group differ wine bread broken ahead time broken individual participant lord supper time smallest group emphasize mutual leaders churches oppose person preaching term mutual describe group group includes roughly congregations beliefs bible folks aren going churches christ seek practice principle bible source find doctrine known bible generally regarded inspired churches christ generally bible historically accurate literal context obviously indicates church practices worship doctrine great liberty congregation congregation interpreting congregations controlled hierarchy approach bible driven assumption bible sufficiently plain simple render message obvious sincere believer related assumption bible provides blueprint constitution church historically approaches churches christ analysis commands examples necessary analysis distinguishing mosaic christian analysis relative importance given strategies varied time different contexts general impression current churches christ group entirely based command example approach practice interpretation heavily influenced group central commitment reasoning conversion accounts book acts analyzed determine steps necessary salvation student movement summarized traditional approach way impression churches christ reason scripture manner arguing premise hypothesis arrive conclusion regard approach like science practice moves hypothesis manner recent years changes degree emphasis placed spurred traditional associated churches christ debate arose 1980s use command example necessary model identifying faith argued fostered advocated instead based character god christ holy spirit urged rejection new use formula declined congregations shifted increased focus spiritual issues like family praise relatively greater emphasis given studies bible classes affiliated colleges recent decades seen authoritative christian worship church organization regulating christian life argued authoritative scholars associated churches christ embrace methods modern biblical criticism associated anti views generally classical historical method prevalent provides basis alternative approaches understanding scriptures doctrine salvation churches christ strongly anti understanding salvation generally present conversion obedience proclaimed facts gospel result emotional spirit initiated conversion churches christ hold view humans age lost committed sins lost souls jesus christ son god offered sacrifice children young understand right wrong conscious choice believed innocent sin set age occur child learns difference right wrong congregations differ interpretation age churches christ generally teach process salvation involves following steps properly taught hear romans believe faith means turning lifestyle choosing god ways acts confess belief jesus son god acts baptized jesus christ acts live christian peter beginning 1960s began placing emphasis role grace salvation instead focusing exclusively implementing commands examples entirely new approach actively affirmed theology free grace represent change emphasis grace theme increasingly define tradition baptism baptism recognized important rite history christian groups differ manner baptism administered meaning significance baptism role salvation candidate baptism baptism churches christ performed based greek understood mean dip seen closely death burial resurrection jesus modes baptism churches christ argue historically mode century pouring emerged later time secondary modes came replace mentally capable belief baptized infant baptism practiced precedent churches christ historically conservative position baptism branches understanding baptism necessary conversion significant disagreements concerned extent correct understanding role baptism necessary validity consistently argued believer baptized desire obey god baptism valid individual fully understand role baptism plays salvation argued strongly valid convert understand baptism forgiveness sins view prevailing early 20th century approach advocated totally disappeared recently rise came fellowship previously immersed sins church christ caused question churches christ consistently teach baptism believer life faith obedience god god merits christ blood sin truly changes state person alien citizen god kingdom baptism human work place god work god baptism passive act faith work confession person offer god churches christ describe baptism view legitimately described power baptism coming god chose use baptism vehicle water act understand baptism integral conversion process symbol conversion recent trend emphasize aspect baptism instead describing legal requirement sign happened past seen event places believer christ god ongoing work transformation minority importance baptism order avoid broader trend biblical teaching baptism reinforce central essential place christianity belief baptism necessary salvation hold churches christ endorse doctrine regeneration members churches christ reject arguing faith necessary sins blood christ grace god baptism inherently ritual author describes relationship faith baptism way faith reason person child god baptism time incorporated christ child god source baptism understood expression faith work earns salvation cappella worship churches christ generally combine lack historical evidence early church musical instruments worship belief support instruments church worship service decide instruments today worship churches christ historically practiced cappella music worship services use musical instruments worship divisive topic earliest years adherents opposed practice grounds relied cappella simply lacked access musical instruments opposed use instruments worship early churches organs ultimately leading churches christ separate groups instrumental music backing given members practice cappella includes matt sung hymn went mount rom praise thee sing filled spirit addressing hymns spiritual songs singing making melody lord heart sing spirit sing understanding col let word christ richly wisdom teaching hymns spiritual songs singing grace hearts unto god declare unto midst church sing praise unto thee congregations permit hand use musical instruments worship describe church christ instrumental theological tendencies churches christ avoid term theology preferring instead term doctrine theology humans bible doctrine simply bible says leaders argue churches christ follow bible theology christian theology understood systematic development classical topics relatively recent rare movement churches christ reject basis add scripture generally reject conceptual positions hand churches christ tend elaborate certain driving motifs scripture church plan salvation importance theology understood teaching doctrine defended basis understanding doctrine necessary respond questions promote spiritual health draw believer closer god branch theology concerned final events history world churches christ generally originally prevalent evident having dissipated era world war leaders moderate historical advocate specific historical interpretations churches christ moved away come fore protestant evangelical circles prevailing views today focus controversy half 20th century influential advocates point view views came opposed end 20th century divisions caused debate diminishing edition churches christ united_states published congregations holding views longer listed separately work holy spirit late 19th century prevailing view holy spirit currently acts influence inspired scripture view associated greatly affected viewed emotional camp meetings day believed spirit draws people salvation understood spirit way person moves words ideas view came prevail believed spirit direct role life christian early 20th century churches christ moved away word theory operation holy spirit scholar movement puts better worse champion called word theory longer hold minds constituency churches christ relatively adopted outright charismatic wave views remained body apparently spiritual waves begun rational rock church history fundamental idea restoration christian problems deficiencies church corrected primitive church model restoration justified basis falling away corrupted original purity church falling away identified development catholicism verses discuss future acts tim understood predict falling away logic restoration imply true church completely disappeared lead view restoration true church existed grace human engineering original view goal help christians realize ideal church restore church conceived mind christ original leaders believe church ceased exist instead sought reform reunite church number congregations web sites explicitly state true church disappeared belief general falling away seen inconsistent idea faithful remnant church entirely disappeared attempted trace remnant intervening centuries beginning early 1800s effect emphasis placed church sense sees intervening history 1st century modern church irrelevant authors brotherhood recently argued greater attention history help guide church modern day challenges history united_states history originated convergence independent efforts christianity particular importance development movement led began cane ridge kentucky called simply christians second began western pennsylvania led son disciples christ groups sought restore christian church pattern set forth new testament believed kept christianity divided campbell movement characterized systematic rational reconstruction early church contrast stone movement characterized radical freedom lack despite differences movements agreed critical issues saw restoring early church route christian freedom believed unity christians achieved christianity model commitment movements restoring early church uniting christians union movements emphasizing bible source seek doctrine acceptance christians diverse opinions norm quest truth unity non liberty things love quoted slogan period stone campbell movements merged began greatly influenced second great awakening resisted saw spiritual manipulation camp meetings southern phase awakening important matrix reform movement shaped techniques stone christian churches churches christ separation life given pain heart separation worked loved listed churches christ separate distinct groups time recognition division growing years influence conservatives reports division having published early visible distinction groups rejection musical instruments churches christ controversy musical instruments began introduction organs churches basic differences underlying approach biblical interpretation churches christ practices present accounts worship church find documentation use instrumental music worship practices forbidden considered specific source controversy role missionary societies formed october disagreement need believed missionary societies authorized scripture compromise autonomy local congregations disagreement important factor leading separation churches christ cultural factors arising american_civil_war contributed division international convention christian churches disciples christ favored structure wished accepted modern liberal theology denominations adopted new provisional design work congregations chose associated new organization continued christian churches churches christ completing separation begun decades instrumental christian churches churches christ cases organizational differences churches christ discussed article example loosely organized convention view silence issue closely related churches christ theology disciples christ divisions movement result tension goals restoration cappella churches christ christian churches churches christ resolving tension stressing bible authority resolved tension stressing race relations object child god participating service account race social civil state color race object jesus christ cast association fearful thing attended church attend early leaders varied views slavery reflecting range positions common strong opponent slavery arguing biblical justification form slavery practiced united_states calling immediate emancipation represented opposition slavery writing political problem religious moral having seen divide issue slavery campbell argued scripture regulated slavery prohibited abolition allowed issue christians break fellowship like country assumption white racial superiority universal sides issue common congregations separate seating black members civil war black christians mixed race congregations formed congregations white members congregations shared racial times churches christ prominent african american estimated january traveled miles preached baptized converts 1950s 1960s churches christ struggled changing racial attitudes leaders racial integration including influential opposed segregation encouraged working campaigns treat exactly way treat white people schools colleges associated movement center debate christian college admitted black undergraduate students graduate students admitted campuses followed efforts address racism continued following decades national meeting prominent leaders churches christ held june thirty participants signed set proposals intended address discrimination local congregations church affiliated activities lives individual christians important symbolic step taken president confessed sin racism school past policies asked black christians forgiveness historically black school affiliated churches christ music tradition singing churches christ stimulated creation new hymns notable churches christ hymn writers included fly away worthy art thou church christ hymns commonly style gospel church published subsequent editions widely institutional controversy world war churches christ began sending ministers humanitarian relief war torn europe asia conflict ensued work eventually funding control outreach programs united_states homes nursing homes mission work setting new congregations bible colleges large scale radio television programs controversy congregations participate funds institutional activities said church congregations congregations traditionally opposed organized sponsorship activities said non institutional congregations institutional controversy resulted largest division churches christ 20th century separation international churches christ christ roots movement arose mainline churches christ 1970s movement developed campus ministry minister 14th street church christ florida later renamed year started new project known based principles borrowed campus crusade centered program called strong evangelical outreach intimate religious atmosphere form soul talks prayer partners soul talks held student residences involved prayer sharing overseen leader delegated authority group members prayer partners referred practice pairing new christian older guide personal assistance direction procedures led depth involvement member lives critics accused lucas later spread churches christ lucas converts moved boston area began working disciples asked commitment christ introduced use partners congregation grew rapidly renamed early 1980s focus movement moved boston massachusetts prominently associated trend national leadership located boston 1980s commonly known boston movement formal break mainline churches christ organization christ new designation division existence involved mainline churches christ names movement include crossroads movement movement resigned november leaders began tentative efforts reconciliation churches christ february timeline churches christ outside united_states members churches christ live outside united_states members churches christ africa approximately india total worldwide membership approximately africa believed members churches christ africa total number congregations approximately significant concentrations nigeria south_africa kenya asia india historically target missionary efforts estimates congregations india membership approximately congregations exist philippines growth asian countries smaller significant australia new_zealand groups great_britain influential united_states early development movement australia churches christ grew independently locations early churches christ australia saw divisive end 19th century began viewing summary statements belief useful second generation members converts religious groups period saw debates use musical instruments worship sunday schools ultimately found general acceptance movement currently divided australia united_states strong ties conservative ministers congregations associate christian churches churches christ instead sought support non instrumental churches christ particularly felt conference congregations departed restoration ideal canada relatively small proportion total membership come canada growing portion canadian demographic immigrant members church partly result canadian demographics partly decreased interest late generation canadians largest concentration active congregations canada notable congregations gathering toronto congregations sizes typically members meet canada great_britain early 1800s scottish influenced writings christian baptist group nottingham withdrew church form church christ member group founded magazine named british cooperative meeting churches christ great_britain held edinburgh approximately congregations involved representing membership churches christ formally adopted annual meeting influenced indirectly writings visited britain months presided second cooperative meeting british churches chester time movement grown encompass congregations total membership annual meetings held use instrumental music worship source division churches christ great_britain world war significant issue national conference established congregations opposed war conference old paths congregations held issues involved included concern traditional principles seeking ties organizations sense abandoned scripture sufficient rule faith practice old paths congregations withdrew association additional withdrew nineteen withdrew membership declined rapidly world war christ britain disbanded association congregations approximately united year congregations formed fellowship churches christ fellowship developed ties christian churches churches christ 1980s fellowship churches christ australian advocate emphasis ideal fold leadership people traditional churches christ groups having common churches main publishing organs traditional churches christ britain magazine magazine history christ let parties fall written information found historical survey churches christ british isles edited south_america brazil congregations members established
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