Recent Founders Day celebrations at two colleges affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) highlighted the ongoing significance of early Disciples history. Chapman University in Orange, California, and Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, each featured lectures that brought insights from Disciples history to contemporary conversations.

At Chapman University on March 8, Dr. Joel Brown, President of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, spoke about Disciples history during the weekend’s event themed “Oops… I Did It Again!” The celebration combined storytelling and community-building, with Joel preaching at morning worship and leading a workshop exploring the lessons of Disciples history for today.

Bethany College commemorated its 185th Founder’s Day on March 6, with Dr. James L. Gorman, Chair of the Historical Society’s Board of Trustees, presenting a lecture titled “What Has Alexander Campbell to Do with Christian Nationalism?” Dr. Gorman, an expert in the Stone-Campbell Movement, examined Alexander Campbell’s writings and their relevance to current issues surrounding religion’s role in society.

At DCHS, we celebrate that Disciples history continues to inspire dialogue and form students at Disciples colleges.