on the movement

I hear two completely opposing views about the Restoration Movement—often in the same day. (For readers who have no idea what the RM is, it’s modeling church and faith after the example given in the New Testament, without many of the creeds/rules/man-made requirements of other denominations. Learn more here.)

A few weeks ago during a conversation about some upcoming projects, a friend told me, “I still have a place in my heart for the Christian churches, but Steve and Chris always ask why I bother. They think the Restoration Movement is dying and wonder why we need to connect with each other when there are so many bigger networks for leaders.”

In some ways Steve and Chris (not their real names) are right—from Catalyst conferences to Christianity Today to church planting networks across the country, the Christian subculture offers tons of opportunities to connect outside denominational lines. To stay isolated within the independent Christian churches is to miss out on resources, experiences and insights.

But we also have contributions to make in those groups. The same day I had the previous conversation, I happened upon Scot McKnight’s blog post describing Bettendorf Christian Church and his experience there.

“I have to tell you I was motivated by the number of the young adults and high school students in the very front row—and they were paying attention—and they kept me on my toes,” he writes. “BCC illustrates the priesthood of all believers—there are so many folks involved in leadership and ministry one knows right away there is shared leadership.”

He goes on to compliment the church in other ways: “Speaking of priesthood of believers, we were impressed with BCC’s quiet missional life, including youth raking leaves, which we witnessed first hand, and their Second Saturday ministry of service to the community……. BCC is truly intergenerational. I met the former senior minister, retired ministers, senior citizens who were more than contented with an upbeat and contemporary worship style—along with lots of small kids and young parents and folks … all across the generational spectrum.”

McKnight ends the post with this: “One other thing: I’m convinced one of the most untapped sources of evangelical theology and ministry today is the Restoration Movement, sometimes called the Stone-Campbell Movement, and known to others as the Christian Church and the Churches of Christ. My experience confirms to me time and time again that these folks are quietly at work in the USA in gospel work.”

Bettendorf Christian impressed McKnight because of its leadership and focus on service, not because it happens to be an independent Christian church. But that doesn’t mean the church affiliation doesn’t matter, or that we shouldn’t stay connected in some way. Many of you originally found this blog through Christian Standard, the journal for these congregations. I, in turn, found the Bettendorf blog post while doing routine research for Christian Church Today, a website for our churches. Without some loose connections like these, you probably wouldn’t know about this church in Bettendorf, Iowa—if the information is helpful at all, you have our affiliation to thank.

We need a new name (neither Restoration Movement nor Stone-Campbell anything resonates with my generation) and a better annual gathering (if anything’s dying, it’s the NACC), but our churches and organizations are leading the way for others in the evangelical world—pioneering the multi-site movement (Community Christian Church), transforming the literal and physical landscape of church architecture (Visioneering Studios) and exploding into online ministry (Central Christian Church).

We may have some branding issues, but the product is sound. I’m glad to know Mr. McKnight gets it, even if Steve and Chris do not.