Changes

They consider themselves to be non-denominational and prefer not to be categorized as a Protestant group (though many of their early followers came from Protestant denominations), saying that they do not seek to reform the Catholic Church but only to restore Christianity to authentic New Testament beliefs and practices.

They consider themselves to be non-denominational and prefer not to be categorized as a Protestant group (though many of their early followers came from Protestant denominations), saying that they do not seek to reform the Catholic Church but only to restore Christianity to authentic New Testament beliefs and practices.

With roots going back into the early 1800s, they were organized early in the 20th century from the union of two similar groups, one led by Barton Stone and the other by Alexander Campbell (the latter being the more influential, the group is sometimes referred to in a pejorative manner as "Campbellism").

With roots going back into the 1700's, they were organized early in the 1800's from the union of two similar groups, one led by Barton Stone and the other by Alexander Campbell (the latter being the more influential, the group is sometimes referred to in a pejorative manner as "Campbellism").

They are strongest in the American South.

They are strongest in the American South.

*Strongly Armenian in their views on God and salvation, especially their rejection of eternal security <ref>However, there is no consensus on how one could end up lost after being saved.</ref>

*Strongly Armenian in their views on God and salvation, especially their rejection of eternal security <ref>However, there is no consensus on how one could end up lost after being saved.</ref>

*Singing by a cappella means only (i.e., no musical instruments, though a pitch pipe may be used)

*Singing by a cappella means only (i.e., no musical instruments, though a pitch pipe may be used)

*Weekly observance of the Lord's Supper

*Weekly observance of the Lord's Supper

**Technically Churches of Christ practice "closed communion"; however, in practice they do not prohibit visitors from taking communion, on the basis that according to I Corinthians 11:28 a visitor must "examine himself" and decide whether or not to participate (i.e. the minister, deacons, or elders do not decide who may or may not partake).

**Technically Churches of Christ practice "closed communion"; however, in practice they do not prohibit visitors from taking communion, on the basis that according to I Corinthians 11:28 a visitor must "examine himself" and decide whether or not to participate (i.e. the minister, deacons, or elders do not decide who may or may not partake).

They oppose Pentecostal and charismatic practices, believing that the gifts of tongues and healing disappeared when the final canon of Scripture was complete.  They do not generally support the direct involvement of the Holy Spirit in Christian life (this comes from Campbell's view that people were convinced by words and ideas; Campbell was a strong debater and that practice continues in Churches of Christ today); however, the direct involvement view (which came from Stone) has gained some influence in recent years.

They oppose Pentecostal and charismatic practices, believing that the gifts of tongues and healing disappeared when the final canon of Scripture was complete.  They do not generally support the direct involvement of the Holy Spirit in Christian life (this comes from Campbell's view that people were convinced by words and ideas; Campbell was a strong debater and that practice continues in Churches of Christ today); however, the direct involvement view (which came from Stone) has gained some influence in recent years.

Churches of Christ hold to what is likely the hardest position on divorce and remarriage, believing adultery to be the only Biblical grounds.  They even go so far as to advocate that if a person is divorced and remarried (outside of grounds of adultery) and then becomes a Christian, the person should divorce his/her current spouse and either remarry their former spouse or remain unmarried.

Churches of Christ hold to what is likely the hardest position on divorce and remarriage, believing adultery to be the only Biblical grounds.  The predominant view even advocates that if a person is divorced and remarried (outside of grounds of adultery) and then becomes a Christian, the person should divorce his/her current spouse and either remarry their former spouse or remain unmarried, or else they continue to commit adultery.

==Splits within the movement==

==Splits within the movement==