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 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").

With roots going back into the 1700s, they were organized early in the 1800s 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.

===The Non-Institutional Movement===

===The Non-Institutional Movement===

A second major split in the movement took place in the 1950's over a growing trend toward the use of "sponsoring churches" to perform larger works such as the operation of orphanages and television networks.

A second major split in the movement took place in the 1950s over a growing trend toward the use of "sponsoring churches" to perform larger works such as the operation of orphanages and television networks.

As Churches of Christ have no central denominational headquarters, and due to concerns that "missionary societies" would ultimately lack any accountability to anyone but themselves, under the "sponsoring church" system one church would take responsibility for a work (with its elders being in charge) and other churches or individuals would then donate to that church for that work.<ref>The work may be organized under a separate entity for legal purposes, an example being the [[Gospel Broadcasting Network]], an internet-based television network which is under the oversight of a Mississippi congregation.</ref>

As Churches of Christ have no central denominational headquarters, and due to concerns that "missionary societies" would ultimately lack any accountability to anyone but themselves, under the "sponsoring church" system one church would take responsibility for a work (with its elders being in charge) and other churches or individuals would then donate to that church for that work.<ref>The work may be organized under a separate entity for legal purposes, an example being the [[Gospel Broadcasting Network]], an internet-based television network which is under the oversight of a Mississippi congregation.</ref>