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CHAPTER 1MINISTRY DESCRIPTION AND PROBLEM STATEMENTThe Restoration Movement, which began under the influence of such men asAlexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone in the early 1800's, left a legacy ofchurchesknown simply as Christian Churches. These churches are autonomous, having nogoverning board or denominational leaders, and tend to be "theologically conservative,pragmatic in methodology, and broadly evangelical."! The founding fathers placed astrong emphasis on the New Testament in determining worship practices that led toweekly observances ofthe Lord's Supper and adult baptism by immersion. Style amongthese churches is varied; although the praise and worship movement has had a significantimpact, many still sing from the hymna1. Though claiming to have no fixed order, thesechurches demonstrate a consistent structure, generally four-fold, often with Word andTable reversed.My concern for the churches and colleges affiliated with the Christian Church iswith the content' ofSunday morning worship.' For many churches and their leaders,I Ken Read, Created to Worship (Joplin, MO: College Press Publishing, 2002), 11.2 I am using the word "content" to designate biblical and theological goals, as opposed tostructure, which is the design or order of the service, and style, which is "the atmosphere in which the fouracts [of the four-fold order] are played out." Robert E. Webber, Worship Old and New (Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 1994), 151. According to Webber, the content ofSunday morning worship should be "thestory ofGod's redemption and salvation" (150).3 I am using the term "Sunday morning worship" to refer to corporate worship that occurs duringthe weekly Sunday meetings of a local church.