A Restoration Movement tradition that seeks to return to New Testament Christianity, known for a cappella worship and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
The Churches of Christ emerged from the Restoration Movement of the early 19th century, a reform effort led by Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell that sought to set aside denominational creeds and traditions and restore the pattern of the New Testament church. The movement's motto — "No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but the name of Christian" — captures its commitment to Scripture alone as the guide for Christian faith and practice.
Churches of Christ are distinguished by several practices they believe are grounded in the New Testament pattern: baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (understood as a necessary part of the conversion process, not merely a symbol), a cappella worship (no musical instruments, based on the absence of instrumental music in New Testament descriptions of worship), and weekly communion. These practices are not peripheral preferences but convictions about what the New Testament teaches and requires.
Fayetteville has 1 Church of Christ congregation in the directory. Churches of Christ have no formal denominational structure — each congregation is autonomous and self-governing, with no central headquarters or governing body. This independence means that practices and emphases can vary between congregations, though the core convictions described above are widely shared.
Churches of Christ are distinguished by their Restoration Movement heritage, their practice of a cappella worship, and their understanding of baptism as a necessary part of conversion (not merely a symbol). Their rejection of all denominational structure makes them one of the most decentralized Christian traditions.
Simple and Scripture-centered. A cappella congregational singing (no instruments), expository preaching, weekly communion, and prayer. Services are intentionally patterned on what members understand to be the New Testament model.
Restoration Movement: early 1800s, Kentucky and Virginia. Churches of Christ formally distinct from Christian Church by early 20th century.
A cappella singing, a strong emphasis on biblical authority, and a network of universities including Abilene Christian, Lipscomb, and Pepperdine.