What is SCC’s Background?
What kind of background SCC is from? What is our history? What are our roots? Here is a concise overview of over 200 years of church history and SCC’s place in it.
SCC is part of what has come to be known as the Restoration Movement (also known as the Stone-Campbell Movement), which gave rise to the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. The movement emerged in the early 19th century (1800’s) during the Second Great Awakening in America, particularly on the "western" frontier (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania). Leaders like Thomas and Alexander Campbell (immigrants from Scotland and Ireland) and Barton W. Stone (a Presbyterian minister in Kentucky) sought to move beyond denominational divisions.
Stone’s Christians and the Campbells’ Disciples joined forces in 1832 in Lexington, Kentucky, symbolizing a major step toward unity in the movement. They often avoided formal denominational structures, identifying simply as the “Christian Church” or “Disciples of Christ.”
The movement was guided by the following Core Principles:
By the mid-19th century, the movement spread rapidly across the U.S., emphasizing revival, evangelism, and missionary societies. Over time, internal tensions arose. Some of the areas of disagreement included:
These issues (as often happens) led to divisions within the movement so that there are now three main “denominational” churches. Here is a brief description of each:
Today, the Restoration Movement churches share a desire to recover the simplicity of New Testament Christianity and promote Christian unity. They remain influential in American Christianity, particularly through their emphasis on biblical authority, evangelism, and congregational independence and sovereignty.
At SCC, we view one another as an extension of family. Doing life together. Encouraging one another, strengthening one another, and loving our community to the best of our ability in the context of our individual and corporate lives. We are so thankful that you are a part of it. God bless.
What kind of background SCC is from? What is our history? What are our roots? Here is a concise overview of over 200 years of church history and SCC’s place in it.
SCC is part of what has come to be known as the Restoration Movement (also known as the Stone-Campbell Movement), which gave rise to the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. The movement emerged in the early 19th century (1800’s) during the Second Great Awakening in America, particularly on the "western" frontier (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania). Leaders like Thomas and Alexander Campbell (immigrants from Scotland and Ireland) and Barton W. Stone (a Presbyterian minister in Kentucky) sought to move beyond denominational divisions.
Stone’s Christians and the Campbells’ Disciples joined forces in 1832 in Lexington, Kentucky, symbolizing a major step toward unity in the movement. They often avoided formal denominational structures, identifying simply as the “Christian Church” or “Disciples of Christ.”
The movement was guided by the following Core Principles:
- “Restoration” of New Testament Christianity: The Bible, especially the New Testament, was to be the sole authority for faith and practice.
- Christian Unity: Believers should set aside human creeds and unite simply as “Christians” or “disciples.”
- Baptism by Immersion: Emphasized as the biblical mode for the remission of sins and entrance into the church.
- Weekly Lord’s Supper: Practiced as in the early church.
- Congregational Autonomy: Each local church was self-governing.
By the mid-19th century, the movement spread rapidly across the U.S., emphasizing revival, evangelism, and missionary societies. Over time, internal tensions arose. Some of the areas of disagreement included:
- Use of instrumental music in worship
- Missionary societies and centralized organizations
- Interpretation of scripture and role of tradition
These issues (as often happens) led to divisions within the movement so that there are now three main “denominational” churches. Here is a brief description of each:
- Churches of Christ (generally a cappella, more conservative)
- Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (more ecumenical, denominational, liberal in their theology)
- Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (i.e. SCC; emerged in the early 20th century, maintaining Restoration ideals but resisting denominational structures).
Today, the Restoration Movement churches share a desire to recover the simplicity of New Testament Christianity and promote Christian unity. They remain influential in American Christianity, particularly through their emphasis on biblical authority, evangelism, and congregational independence and sovereignty.
At SCC, we view one another as an extension of family. Doing life together. Encouraging one another, strengthening one another, and loving our community to the best of our ability in the context of our individual and corporate lives. We are so thankful that you are a part of it. God bless.