Famous members of the the Churches of Christ (the Stone-Campbell/Restorationist group whose individual congregations are known as Church of Christ, or church of Christ)
The religious body known today as the Churches of Christ emerged from the American "Restoration Movement" that sought to re-establish Biblical practices among Protestant churches. Followers of Thomas Campbell and Barton W. Stone combined in 1832 to begin what became known as the Stone-Campbell movement. Disagreements within the movement eventually arose. A major source of tension was the formation of the American Christian Mission Society, which Campbellites felt was un-Biblical. Finally, in 1906 the major factions split into two separate denominations (although many within the movement prefer to not use the word "denomination," as they feel it indicates an unacceptably concrete level of organization). The "Churches of Christ" (or the non-capitalized "churches of Christ") formed around those who followed Alexander Campbell's original ideas. The "Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)" formed around followers of Stone.
It is not uncommon for members of the Church of Christ to write to us to suggest modifications to our historical brief historical description of the group. Below is a representative example, sent to us by Nathan Good (11 June 2007):
Hi. There should be a correction on [this page].
While many think that Campbell started the church of Christ, he did not. Christ establised His church about 33 AD. There were churches of Christ before Campbell was born. Please read the following link: http://tcoc.atspace.org/whatisthechurchofchrist.html.
The church of Christ does not follow Stone-Campbell as your site suggests, but follows the teachings of Christ as taught in the New Testament. Plain and simple.
Alexander Campbell - co-founder of Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement and the group which became the Churches of Christ
Max Lucado - best-selling author of non-fiction Christian books (minister at Oak Hills Church of Christ, San Antonio, TX; former CoC)
John Cornyn - Republican Senator from Texas (2002-present)
Ted Poe - U.S. Representative from Texas (2005-present)
Fred Thompson - former U.S. Senator (Repub.) from Tennessee; now actor, who plays the District Attorney on the TV series "Law and Order" (raised in CoC)
Gene Tormohlen - former professional basketball player (Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns); now chief scout for L.A. Lakers
Robert Rauschenberg - painter, sculptor, and graphic artist known for helping to redefine American art in the 1950s and '60s (raised CoC)
Sidney Rigdon - early preacher/leader in "Campbellite Church" (1818-1930), until conversion to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), where he became a major LDS theologian and leader
Jim Morris - baseball player depicted in movie "The Rookie"
Rick Parros - running back Denver
Jim Jenkins - creator of the cartoon "Doug"
Lynette Cole - 2000 Miss USA
Doug Poling - CBS newsman
Mike Adams - President U of Ga.
Joe Johnson - President of University of Tenn.
Bill Banowski - ex-president of Oklahoma U. and Gaylord Corp.
Fred D. Gray - attorney who defended Rosa Parks
A.M. Burton - Founder of Life & Casualty Insurance Co.
Gwen Shamblin - founder of Weigh Down Workshop; founder of The Remnant Church (former)
Bill Elliott - NASCAR driver
Montgomery Gentry - singers; two-man country band consisting of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry
Kitty Wells - queen of country music
Ronnie Dunn - singer, of Brooks and Dunn (former)
Holly Dunn - country singer
Kenny Bill Stinson - musician
Pat Sajak - Wheel of Fortune host
Dee Presley - Elvis Presley's stepmother
David and Richard Stanley - step-brothers of Elvis
Jessie Brown Pounds - (1861-1921) composer, songwriter
Dale Clevenger - musician
Tillit S. Teddlie - (1885-1987) hymnodist
Lloyd O. Sanderson - hymnodist
Phoebe Lewis - accomplished opera singer (raised CoC)
Scott Hamilton - U.S. figure skater, Olympic gold medalist (convert)
Notable politicians who were members of the Church of Christ:
Source: The Political Graveyard (http://politicalgraveyard.com/group/church-of-christ.html; viewed 2 December 2005)
Alabama Henry Floyd Sherrod (b. 1890)
Ashley Leonidas Camp, Jr. (b. 1923)
James Browning Allen (1912-1978)
Jimmy Faulkner (b. 1916)
Junius Foy Guin (born c.1883)
Ronnie Gene Flippo (b. 1937)
Arkansas Raymond Hoyt Thornton, Jr. (b. 1928)
California Kenneth Frederick Hahn (1920-1997)
Illinois Riley Alvin Bender (1890-1973)
Kentucky Brett Guthrie (b. 1964)
John D. Westwood (b. 1944)
Michigan Roy Smith (b. 1924)
Missouri Alan Dupree Wheat (b. 1951)
Melton D. Hancock (b. 1929)
Ohio Amos Richard Webber (1852-1948)
Archie Ray Hicks, Jr. (b. 1915)
Delbert Leroy Latta (b. 1920)
George Sidney Marshall (1869-1956)
Oklahoma Lyle H. Boren (1909-1992)
Tennessee Elbert M. Adcox (b. 1899)
Harlan Whitney Thomas (b. 1908)
Joseph Landon Evins (1910-1984)
Keith McDonald
Kenneth N. Springer (1945-2000)
Tommy Burks (1940-1998)
West Virginia Richard Hugh Everson (1945-1999)
E. L. Simpson (b. 1895)
Web page created 25 May 2005. Last modified 11 June 2007.
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