The CRA's Centennial

September 2025 marks the CRA’s centennial. While it is true that the Clarke Fund initiated this great work in 1922, the CRA was formally incorporated in September of 1925. As we reminisce about our storied past, it’s imperative that we … 

Remember — our past accomplishments. In the early days of the CRA, establishing new churches according to the New Testament pattern was a focal point, and numerous congregations were started in over twenty states. In addition, the CRA was instrumental in establishing direct support missions where mission dollars are provided directly to mission recipients. Plus, to influence more young men into the full-time vocational Christian ministry, the CRA helped start Christian Service Camps in more than a dozen states. 

Recognizing how critical it is that churches be grounded in the principles of New Testament Christianity, the CRA helped start the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, which, over the years, trained countless men and women for ministry. On the education front, the CRA launched the Christian Bible Institute, published numerous books and tracts, and has hosted countless seminars and Bible Conferences. 

Perhaps the zenith of the CRA’s past was spearheading the effort to defend our churches from the hostile takeover of the Disciples of Christ denomination. The Disciples' actions in the mid-twentieth century were a serious threat to the autonomy of the local congregation. Through the legal expertise of attorney Luther D. Burrus (CRA trustee), the expert testimony of Dr. Lewis Foster (CRA trustee), and the leadership of Harvey C. Bream Jr. (Director of the CRA), these churches won a host of legal battles. The CRA has, without doubt, been a helping hand to the churches. 

Resolve — to remain steadfast to our core mission to defend New Testament Christianity. In my opinion, the most sobering words in all of Scripture are Jesus’s words in Matthew 7:21-23, where the Lord proclaims, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (NKJV throughout). Jesus makes it very clear that there is a proper way to prepare for eternity. In light of Jesus’s teaching, we remain steadfast to defend the: 

Prescription for salvation. We are saved by grace, through faith, in Christ, in baptism, for good works. We affirm the clear Bible teaching that baptism by immersion is for the remission of sins; that baptism is the occasion when a believing, repentant sinner receives the forgiveness of sins. 

Pattern of the New Testament church. The New Testament teaches the autonomy of the local congregation, where said congregation is overseen by a local eldership. In addition, the qualifications of this eldership are spelled out in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. 

Purpose of the church. The church is to follow in the footsteps of the Master who proclaimed that He came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Paul says it best in Ephesians 3:10, “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” 

To this end, the CRA publishes the Restoration Herald, numerous books and tracts, and hosts seminars and Bible Conferences. This is all done with a view toward equipping the church to take the message of salvation in Christ to a lost and dying world. 

Respond to the challenges and opportunities of the next century. It’s stating the obvious to say the changes we have seen in the last hundred years have been seismic. This is especially true in two areas: culture and consumer. 

On the cultural front, we are truly in a world turned upside down. Historically, individuals have defined themselves by criteria outside of themselves — economic, religious, social, or political. We find ourselves living in a bizarre period where people are defining themselves (i.e., identifying) based on feelings. In other words, from within. In a world that denies absolute truth and particularly the truth of God’s Word, the CRA remains ready to defend Scripture and the truths contained therein. 

As to the consumer, the vehicles through which people consume information are exceptionally dynamic. From social media to the internet, to podcasts, to traditional printed material, information is disseminated in a wide variety of media. We are working diligently to implement all of the above solutions in our efforts to promote New Testament Christianity. Both the cultural and consumer challenges of our age demand that we be creative and nimble in our efforts to advance New Testament Christianity. 

Yes, the CRA certainly has a rich heritage. We refuse, however, to rest on our laurels. Instead, as we move into the next hundred years, we eagerly embrace the challenges set before us and are equally excited to see how God will continue to use the CRA to advance the cause of Christ.