- Denominational Profile
- Distribution
- Trends
- Related Surveys
- Data Sources
Denominational Profile
History
split into Churches of Christ (1906) |
| The Churches of Christ (Non-Instrumental) is one of the several branches of the Restoration movement begun in the early 19th century by Barton Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Originating primarily among those Restorationist congregations in the South, it has become a national movement. It has been most identified for its disavowal of the use of instrumental music in worship and ultra-congregational organization. Over the years, the decentralized polity has allowed for a number of factions to develop over various beliefs and practices not accepted by the majority of churches. The Churches of Christ (Non-instrumental) represent the largest faction of the movement. |
Membership Data
| Year | Clergy | Churches | Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 2,507 | 6,226 | 433,714 |
| 1931 | - | - | 433,714 |
| 1933 | - | - | 433,714 |
| 1935 | 2,507 | 6,226 | 433,714 |
| 1936 | - | 3,815 | 309,551 |
| 1937 | - | 6,226 | - |
| 1946 | - | - | 309,551 |
| 1947 | - | 10,000 | 682,172 |
| 1950 | 7,000 | - | - |
| 1951 | - | 14,500 | 1,000,000 |
| 1952 | 15,500 | 16,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 1953 | - | 15,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 1954 | - | 16,500 | 1,600,000 |
| 1955 | 15,500 | 16,500 | 1,600,000 |
| 1956 | 8,500 | 16,250 | 1,700,000 |
| 1957 | - | 16,500 | 1,750,000 |
| 1958 | 12,500 | 17,500 | 2,000,000 |
| 1959 | - | 17,850 | 2,007,650 |
| 1960 | 8,366 | 18,680 | 2,163,493 |
| 1961 | 10,000 | 18,500 | 2,250,000 |
| 1965 | 7,000 | 18,500 | 2,350,000 |
| 1968 | 6,200 | 18,000 | 2,400,000 |
| 1976 | 12,800 | 17,000 | 2,500,000 |
| 1978 | 16,200 | 17,550 | 3,000,000 |
| 1979 | - | 12,700 | 1,600,000 |
| 1980 | - | 12,271 | 1,600,222 |
| 1982 | - | 12,750 | 1,605,000 |
| 1983 | - | 13,056 | 1,600,000 |
| 1984 | - | 13,100 | 1,600,500 |
| 1985 | - | 13,150 | 1,604,000 |
| 1987 | - | 13,364 | 1,623,754 |
| 1989 | - | 13,375 | 1,626,000 |
| 1990 | - | 13,134 | 1,683,346 |
| 1992 | - | 13,174 | 1,684,872 |
| 1993 | 10,000 | 13,013 | 1,651,103 |
| 1994 | 10,000 | 13,013 | 1,651,103 |
| 1995 | 10,000 | 13,020 | 1,655,000 |
| 1996 | 13,000 | 14,000 | 2,250,000 |
| 1997 | 15,850 | 14,400 | 1,800,000 |
| 1999 | 16,350 | 15,000 | 1,500,000 |
| 2005 | 16,350 | 15,000 | 1,639,495 |
| 2006 | - | 13,000 | 1,639,495 |
Data were taken from the National Council of Churches' Historic Archive CD and recent editions of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Denomination descriptions provided by Dr. J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion (ISAR). [More information on data sources]
