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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)
- James Hahn - mayor of Los Angeles, California
- Byron Nelson - professional golfer
- Kenny Perry - professional golfer
- 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
- Dwight Yoakam - singer, songwriter, actor
- Randy Travis - country music singer
- Glen Campbell - country music singer (raised CoC)
- Weird Al Yankovic - comedic singer, entertainer famous for his satirical spoofs music videos and lyrics (Vegan)
- Roy Orbison - country music singer
- Brandy (Norwood) - R&B singer, actress (raised CoC)
- Kathryn Morris - actress best known as the star of the 2000s CBS TV series Cold Case (raised CoC)
- Laurie Anderson - performance artist (raised CoC)
- Pat Boone - singer (former CoC member)
- Janis Joplin - singer (raised CoC)
- 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
- Ted Welch - millionaire real estate developer, conservative activist (raised CoC)
- Kenneth Starr - lawyer, judge; chief Independent Counsel charged with investigating Pres. Bill Clinton, leading to the President's impeachment
- Paula Barbieri - model best known as football player/murderer O.J. Simpson's long-time girlfriend
- Jeffrey Dahmer (1960-1994) - infamous gay serial killer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; killed 17 young men between 1978 and 1991
- William Kay Moser - author, conscientious objector during Korean War
- Gary Freeman - author of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven
- Vachel Lindsay - (1879-1931) American poet known as the "Prairie Troubador"
- Steve Cropper - guitarist Blues Bros. and Booker T.
- Meatloaf - singer, actor (real name Marvin Lee Aday)
- Jeff Martin - TV writer for David Letterman and "The Simpsons" (raised CoC)
- The Cowsills - sang "Indian Lake" and "Hair"
- Jim Ryun - Congressman, Olympic miler, 4 min. (may be ICC member)
- George Pepperdine - Western Auto, Pepperdine University
- Loretta Lynn - country singer
- Sonny James - country singer
- Don Williams - country singer
- Marty Roe - lead singer, Diamond Rio
- Amy Grant - singer
- Mark Wills - country music singer (raised CoC)
- Waylon Jennings - country music (raised CoC)
- Ray Walker - Jordannaires, back up for Elvis
- David Robinson - NBA, San Antonio Spurs
- Clyde Lee - NBA
- Fred McGriff - baseball
- Gene Stallings - Alabama football coach
- Wimp Sanderson - Alabama basketball coach
- Bill Bates - Dallas Cowboys
- 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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