"By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:35
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© 2007 Northcrest Church of Christ
| 918 Tehuacana Rd. P.O. Box 283. Mexia, Texas 76667 (254)562-3533 (254)562- 7953 |
FAQs: Are the Churches of Christ a Denomination?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated, and can only be understood through understanding our history and beginnings. The word
"denomination" in its truest form, simply means that something has been given a name or designation. In that sense, we cannot help but
realize that we are a denomination, for we have been labeled with the name "Church of Christ." We have in essence become a labeled
group of churches, but this was never our intentions. The Churches of Christ in America began as a movement, and that is what we like to
think of ourselves as even today. The "Churches of Christ" as we know them began over 200 years ago, as many movements desiring for
unity and biblical purity began to merge and form one larger movement that became known as the Restoration, or Stone-Campbell
movement. The churches involved in this movement were labeled with many names, including "Church of Christ," but also others as well.
Because of the course of history, a group of churches within the movement, though having no official ties to one another, just sort of
became universally labeled with the term "Church of Christ." We all share the same heritage, and for a large part, the same beliefs, but
each congregation remains autonomous. There are "Church of Christ" colleges, publications, conventions, and so on, but each one of
these are independently run by members within our group, and receive no oversight by anyone else within our movement.
So when someone asks, "Are the Churches of Christ a denomination?" We can answer that rather, we are a movement. And it is still our
desire that all churches and denominations return to unity in Jesus and the truth of God's Word.
"denomination" in its truest form, simply means that something has been given a name or designation. In that sense, we cannot help but
realize that we are a denomination, for we have been labeled with the name "Church of Christ." We have in essence become a labeled
group of churches, but this was never our intentions. The Churches of Christ in America began as a movement, and that is what we like to
think of ourselves as even today. The "Churches of Christ" as we know them began over 200 years ago, as many movements desiring for
unity and biblical purity began to merge and form one larger movement that became known as the Restoration, or Stone-Campbell
movement. The churches involved in this movement were labeled with many names, including "Church of Christ," but also others as well.
Because of the course of history, a group of churches within the movement, though having no official ties to one another, just sort of
became universally labeled with the term "Church of Christ." We all share the same heritage, and for a large part, the same beliefs, but
each congregation remains autonomous. There are "Church of Christ" colleges, publications, conventions, and so on, but each one of
these are independently run by members within our group, and receive no oversight by anyone else within our movement.
So when someone asks, "Are the Churches of Christ a denomination?" We can answer that rather, we are a movement. And it is still our
desire that all churches and denominations return to unity in Jesus and the truth of God's Word.