Expanding the Table: How Pension Fund Serves the Entire Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement 

This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of Bridge Magazine.

From its earliest days, Pension Fund of the Christian Church has been shaped by a simple and enduring commitment: to support those who dedicate their lives to ministry with dignity and care. Rooted in the work that began in 1895 with the Board of Ministerial Relief, that spirit continues to shape our mission as we serve the full breadth of the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement. Today, we continue widening the table to welcome all who serve the church and its institutions.

The Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement emerged on the American frontier in the early 19th century as a hopeful experiment in Christian unity, rooted in a desire to return to the faith and practices of the New Testament. Early leaders called believers to rely on Scripture rather than creeds and to live out an active faith shaped by baptism, communion, and shared responsibility. Formed within the Protestant free-church tradition, the movement places strong emphasis on local congregations as the primary expression of church life, valuing independence and a clear separation between church and state.

The Restoration Movement is diverse, and Pension Fund honors both shared roots and distinct expressions. We proudly serve congregations and institutions affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ (a cappella), Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ International, and Iglesia Cristiana (Discípulos de Cristo) en Puerto Rico. This umbrella of eligibility allows us to support 501(c)(3) organizations, benevolent care homes, and educational institutions connected to the movement.

Although we have always served the full Restoration Movement, we have renewed our efforts to step intentionally into new spaces, connecting with leaders and congregations throughout. By attending conferences and regional gatherings across the branches of the movement, we have built new relationships and extended awareness of all Pension Fund has to offer. Our Client Relations team also includes members from multiple branches of the movement and has intentionally sought training and educational opportunities to deepen our understanding of the different constituencies we serve. Expanding these connections allows us to serve those who serve, helping them focus on their work while ensuring they have access to essential resources for the future.

Our members serve the church through pastoral leadership, education, mission, and support roles. Ministry today happens not only in sanctuaries, but also in classrooms, care communities, mission fields, and behind the scenes. This inclusive approach is intentional. Pension Fund has designed its programs to welcome participation across denominational lines, ensuring that all who serve within the Restoration Movement have access to meaningful retirement benefits.

At its core, Pension Fund’s work is about stewardship: of resources, relationships, and trust. By serving the whole Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement and intentionally making room for its diversity, Pension Fund affirms what holds the movement together. Our work is, and has always been, for the support of ministry — serving with integrity, security, and compassion for those who devote their lives to the Church.