The Christian Reformed Church had its beginning in the Netherlands. Today, the Christian Reformed Church is spread across the United States and Canada, while missionaries take its message to 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) has more than 268,000 members in over 1,049 churches in 30 countries.
CRCNA Founding ---|| One of many Calvinist denominations in Europe, the Dutch Reformed Church became the state religion in the Netherlands in the 1600s. However, during the Enlightenment, that church strayed from Calvin's teachings. The common people responded by forming their own movement, worshiping in small groups called conventicles.
Persecution by the state church led to a formal secession by Rev. Hendrik de Cock and others. Many years later, Rev. Albertus Van Raalte saw that the only way to avoid further persecution was to go to the United States. They settled in Holland, Michigan in 1848. To overcome the harsh conditions, they merged with the Dutch Reformed Church in New Jersey. By 1857, a group of four churches seceded and formed the Christian Reformed Church.
Geography:::::|| The Christian Reformed Church in North America is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, with congregations throughout the United States and Canada, and about 27 other countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
Christian Reformed Church Beliefs ::::|| The Christian Reformed Church professes the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. They believe salvation is God's work from beginning to end and that humans can do nothing to earn their way into heaven.
Baptism ::: Christ's blood and spirit wash away sins in baptism. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, infants as well as adults may be baptized and received into the church.
Bible ::: The Bible is the "inspired and infallible Word of God." While Scripture reflects the personalities and cultures of the individual writers, it infallibly conveys God's revelation. Over the decades, the Christian Reformed Church has authorized several translations of the Bible to be used in worship services.
Clergy -:::Women may be ordained to all ecclesiastical offices in the Christian Reformed Church. Synods have debated this issue since 1970, and not all local churches agree with this position.
Communion || The Lord's Supper is offered as a remembrance of Jesus Christ's "once-for-all" sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins.
Holy Spirit || The Holy Spirit is the comforter promised by Jesus before his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit is God with us in the here and now, empowering and guiding both the church and individuals.
Jesus Christ -|| Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the center of human history. Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, and his life, death and resurrection are historical facts. Christ returned to heaven following his resurrection and will come again to make all things new.
Redemption - God the Father refused to let sin conquer humanity. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world through his sacrificial death. Further, God raised Jesus from the dead to show that Christ has overcome sin and death. Sabbath - From the time of the early church, Christians have celebrated the Sabbath on Sunday. Sunday should be a day of rest from work, except by necessity, and recreation should not interfere with church worship.
Sin - The Fall introduced the "sin virus" into the world, which contaminates everything, from people to creatures to institutions. Sin can result in alienation from God but cannot blot out a person's longing for God and wholeness.
Trinity - God is One, in three persons, as revealed by the Bible. God is a "perfect community of love" as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Sacraments - The Christian Reformed Church practices two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is performed by a minister or ministry associate, by sprinkling water on the forehead but may also be done by immersion. Adults who are baptized are called to make a public confession of faith.
The Lord's Supper is offered as bread and the cup. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, the bread and wine are not changed into the body and blood of Christ but are a certain sign that participants receive full pardon for their sins through communion.
CRCNA Founding ---|| One of many Calvinist denominations in Europe, the Dutch Reformed Church became the state religion in the Netherlands in the 1600s. However, during the Enlightenment, that church strayed from Calvin's teachings. The common people responded by forming their own movement, worshiping in small groups called conventicles.
Persecution by the state church led to a formal secession by Rev. Hendrik de Cock and others. Many years later, Rev. Albertus Van Raalte saw that the only way to avoid further persecution was to go to the United States. They settled in Holland, Michigan in 1848. To overcome the harsh conditions, they merged with the Dutch Reformed Church in New Jersey. By 1857, a group of four churches seceded and formed the Christian Reformed Church.
Geography:::::|| The Christian Reformed Church in North America is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, with congregations throughout the United States and Canada, and about 27 other countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
Christian Reformed Church Beliefs ::::|| The Christian Reformed Church professes the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. They believe salvation is God's work from beginning to end and that humans can do nothing to earn their way into heaven.
Baptism ::: Christ's blood and spirit wash away sins in baptism. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, infants as well as adults may be baptized and received into the church.
Bible ::: The Bible is the "inspired and infallible Word of God." While Scripture reflects the personalities and cultures of the individual writers, it infallibly conveys God's revelation. Over the decades, the Christian Reformed Church has authorized several translations of the Bible to be used in worship services.
Clergy -:::Women may be ordained to all ecclesiastical offices in the Christian Reformed Church. Synods have debated this issue since 1970, and not all local churches agree with this position.
Communion || The Lord's Supper is offered as a remembrance of Jesus Christ's "once-for-all" sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins.
Holy Spirit || The Holy Spirit is the comforter promised by Jesus before his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit is God with us in the here and now, empowering and guiding both the church and individuals.
Jesus Christ -|| Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the center of human history. Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, and his life, death and resurrection are historical facts. Christ returned to heaven following his resurrection and will come again to make all things new.
Redemption - God the Father refused to let sin conquer humanity. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world through his sacrificial death. Further, God raised Jesus from the dead to show that Christ has overcome sin and death. Sabbath - From the time of the early church, Christians have celebrated the Sabbath on Sunday. Sunday should be a day of rest from work, except by necessity, and recreation should not interfere with church worship.
Sin - The Fall introduced the "sin virus" into the world, which contaminates everything, from people to creatures to institutions. Sin can result in alienation from God but cannot blot out a person's longing for God and wholeness.
Trinity - God is One, in three persons, as revealed by the Bible. God is a "perfect community of love" as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Sacraments - The Christian Reformed Church practices two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is performed by a minister or ministry associate, by sprinkling water on the forehead but may also be done by immersion. Adults who are baptized are called to make a public confession of faith.
The Lord's Supper is offered as bread and the cup. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, the bread and wine are not changed into the body and blood of Christ but are a certain sign that participants receive full pardon for their sins through communion.
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