Faith Facts

• Churches of Christ trace their identity to the New Testament church, not to a denomination or sectarian movement
• The Restoration Movement sought to return Christianity to its biblical foundations by following the examples and teachings found in Scripture
• Christian unity based on Scripture remains a core value, calling believers to focus on what is true and unchanging despite cultural shifts

Churches of Christ are not meant to be a denomination — and “Church of Christ” isn’t meant to be a sectarian name, as ministers noted in a recent examination of “A divine name.” It’s simply one of the biblical descriptions of the local, autonomous churches that make up the body of Christ.

Yet the name has served — for better or worse — as a way to help identify and fellowship churches with a particular understanding of Scripture and how the church should look and function.

Likewise, Churches of Christ are not defined by the Restoration Movement, by Barton Stone or Alexander Campbell. We strive to be heirs of the first century church, following the examples we see in the New Testament.

But — again, for better or worse — Churches of Christ have an undeniable connection and influence from that movement, its leaders and its plea to restore New Testament Christianity.

As part of an ongoing series on the identity of Churches of Christ, editorial board members reflected on their individual views of why the Restoration plea is meaningful and how it fits with their connections to Churches of Christ.

“Christian friends within and beyond Churches of Christ don’t always agree on theology or practice, but we are unified by Christ and him crucified. May we make peace with all believers and let God sort out the differences. The fellowship as we know it may not endure, but I’m confident in the future of the kingdom.”

— Cheryl Mann Bacon

“Sectarianism and power are fundamental longings of fallen human hearts. Unity based upon the teachings of Jesus, and often imperfectly embodied by his earliest disciples, offers a better alternative. At our best, Churches of Christ work toward such unity, granting the liberty to embody the Gospel across diverse settings.”

— Jeremie Beller

“I value the commitment commonly held by Churches of Christ to Scripture and the examples of the New Testament. Our emulation may not be perfect, but the Restoration plea continually draws us back toward the truth and love of God and helps us resist the drift of the world.”

— Calvin Cockrell

“The issue is what do we need to be restored to. The church of our parents is different than today, and young folks can learn from the past and our older saints. Today, older people need to break down cultural boundaries. Let’s talk to people and find out what people are doing.”

— Hamil Harris

“I think the Restoration plea calls the church to focus on what is true and unchanging, despite changes we experience over time. Looking at New Testament teachings and examples, I see the fellowship of the early church. One reason I participate in Churches of Christ is because I experience that type of relationship with other members.”

— Kenzie James

“With sharp divisions taking place in America, and even within our brotherhood, it is critical for members of the Churches of Christ to remain clear-eyed regarding Jesus’ message on unity. How are we supposed to spread the Gospel if we can’t agree on what it means to be disciples?”

— Trindi Mitchell

“I love the simplicity of striving to live and love like Jesus and finding truth and meaning in the stories and teachings of the Bible. It connects me to Churches of Christ because we share a common experience of relying on the Scriptures as our ultimate how-to guide.”

— Bobby Ross Jr.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Pornography temptation affects Christian leaders at rates comparable to the general population, exposing a crisis of accountability in modern church leadership
• Former Hillsong leader Brian Houston has publicly denied pornography use after content appeared on his social media channels, calling the material “vile”
• Ministry experts emphasize the need for greater transparency and accountability structures to protect both leaders and their congregations from moral failures

The American church is facing an uncomfortable truth that can no longer be ignored. While allegations swirl around former Hillsong leader Brian Houston, who has publicly denied watching pornography after questionable content appeared on his social media accounts, the broader conversation demands our immediate attention.

Houston called the content “vile” and rejected any connection to it. But regardless of the specifics of any individual case, the underlying issue cuts to the heart of spiritual warfare in our time.

Cat Etherington from Naked Truth Project has stepped forward to address what many believers whisper about but few dare to confront openly. Pornography represents a genuine temptation for Christian leaders—a reality that our faith communities must acknowledge with honesty and grace.

The statistics paint a sobering picture. Men and women who stand in pulpits, lead worship, and shepherd flocks are not immune to the pervasive digital temptations that assault American families daily. The question is not whether Christian leaders face these battles, but whether our churches have created environments where struggling leaders can find help before catastrophic failure occurs.

Traditional accountability structures in many congregations have proven insufficient for the digital age. The smartphone in every pocket represents both a tool for ministry and a potential gateway to moral compromise. Without robust systems of transparency and support, even the most committed believers can find themselves ensnared.

The Hillsong situation, whatever its ultimate resolution, serves as a wake-up call. American Christians must move beyond shame-based silence and toward redemptive honesty about sexual temptation. This doesn’t mean accepting sin or lowering biblical standards—it means acknowledging reality so we can address it effectively.

Church boards and denominational leaders bear special responsibility here. Creating cultures where leaders can confess struggles before they become scandals requires intentional effort. Anonymous accountability software, regular check-ins with trusted mentors, and clear consequences for deception all play important roles.

For congregations, this means resisting two equally dangerous extremes. We must neither excuse sin in our leaders nor adopt a spirit of judgmental suspicion that assumes the worst. The balance lies in recognizing our shared humanity while maintaining high standards for those who teach and lead.

The spiritual stakes could not be higher. Every fallen leader damages the witness of the gospel and wounds those they were called to serve. Every scandal gives ammunition to those who mock Christian faith and provides cover for predators who use ministry as camouflage.

Yet there is hope. Churches across America are pioneering new approaches to leadership accountability that combine grace with truth. Small groups where leaders can be vulnerable, professional counseling resources, and clear restoration processes all demonstrate that the body of Christ can address this crisis.

Parents and families also play a crucial role. Teaching children and teenagers about sexual purity in a pornography-saturated culture prepares the next generation of leaders to resist temptations their predecessors often faced without adequate preparation or support.

The path forward requires courage—courage to have difficult conversations, courage to implement accountability even when it feels uncomfortable, and courage to extend redemption to those who fall while maintaining consequences for their actions.

Whatever emerges from the Houston situation specifically, the church universal must seize this moment. Pornography’s grip on American culture will only tighten without intentional resistance rooted in biblical truth and practical wisdom.

Christian leaders deserve our prayers, not our naive assumption that their positions somehow insulate them from temptation. They need communities that combine high expectations with genuine support, churches that take both holiness and restoration seriously.

The conversation about pornography and Christian leadership is long overdue. May American believers rise to this challenge with the grace and truth that marked Jesus himself—calling sin what it is while offering hope to all who struggle and genuinely repent.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Biblical deliverance ministry addresses spiritual bondage that hinders conversion and discipleship in modern evangelism
• Historical Christian traditions have recognized demonic oppression as a real obstacle to faith and freedom in Christ
• Churches rediscovering deliverance ministry report deeper conversions and lasting spiritual transformation among new believers

Across American churches, a growing number of pastors and ministry leaders are recognizing a critical gap in contemporary evangelism. While modern outreach focuses heavily on attracting seekers and presenting the gospel message, many believers are rediscovering an ancient practice that the early church considered essential: biblical deliverance ministry.

The premise is straightforward yet profound. When people are held captive by spiritual bondage — whether through addiction, occult involvement, generational patterns, or demonic oppression — simply hearing the gospel may not be enough to set them fully free.

This understanding isn’t new. Throughout church history, Christian leaders recognized that authentic conversion often required addressing the spiritual forces that keep people in darkness. The apostles practiced it, the early church fathers wrote about it, and missionaries throughout the centuries have encountered it on the field.

Today’s secular culture, with its embrace of New Age spirituality, occult practices, and moral relativism, has left many Americans spiritually vulnerable. Pastors serving in communities affected by drug addiction, broken families, and cultural confusion report that traditional evangelistic methods often fall short without addressing the deeper spiritual realities at work.

Churches that have reintegrated biblical deliverance ministry into their discipleship process describe remarkable transformations. New converts experience genuine freedom from long-standing bondages. Believers who struggled for years with recurring sins find breakthrough. Families are restored as generational patterns are broken in the name of Jesus Christ.

The practice isn’t about sensationalism or spiritual theatrics. Biblical deliverance ministry, when conducted properly, is rooted in Scripture, saturated in prayer, and centered on the authority of Jesus Christ. It recognizes that while Christ has already won the victory over darkness, believers must appropriate that victory in their personal lives.

Critics sometimes dismiss deliverance ministry as outdated or psychologically harmful. Yet proponents argue that ignoring the spiritual dimension of human struggle leaves people trapped in cycles they cannot break through willpower or counseling alone. The Bible presents a worldview where spiritual warfare is real, and Christ’s followers have been given authority over the enemy.

For churches seeking to reach a generation increasingly entangled in spiritual deception, the integration of deliverance ministry alongside traditional evangelism may prove essential. When captives are truly set free, the reality of God’s Kingdom becomes visible in transformed lives — the most powerful testimony to a watching world.

As American Christianity faces declining numbers and cultural marginalization, returning to the full counsel of Scripture may be exactly what’s needed. The gospel doesn’t just offer forgiveness; it offers complete freedom. And that freedom, demonstrated through deliverance, makes the Kingdom of God undeniably real.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.