Netherlands Reformed Congregations
| Netherlands Reformed Congregations | |
 |
|
| Kalamazoo Netherlands Reformed Congregation | |
| Classification | Protestant |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Dutch Reformed |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Geographical areas | United States, Canada and Netherlands |
| Founder | Gerrit Hendrik Kersten |
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Separations | 1993 groups from a number of congregations left to form the Heritage Reformed Congregations |
| Congregations | 27 (NA), 158 (Netherlands) |
| Members | 105,784 (Netherlands), 10,516 (NA),[1] |
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations, is a conservative denomination with congregations mostly in Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands.
Contents |
Basic beliefs and doctrines [edit]
Baptism [edit]
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations hold to infant baptism but believe that although being baptized each child still carries the personal necessity to be born again. Baptism places a child into an external covenant in the church as the Israelites who passed through the Red Sea. Like them they have many of the benefits of the children of God in an outward sense but until they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit they remain outside of the Covenant of Grace.
Bible version [edit]
The church services are conducted using exclusively the Authorised Version (King James) of the Bible. Almost all of the songs sung during the worship service are based on the book of Psalms.
Worship and Liturgical forms [edit]
In keeping with the Dutch Reformed traditions most of the liturgical forms used are translations of the Dutch forms edited by Petrus Dathenus (1531-1588) and used during the Reformation times. Most of the member churches have services two or three times a Sunday. The topic for one service a week is based on one of the 52 Lord's Days from The Heidelberg Catechism. The worship starts with a prayer, followed by singing of a Psalm. Before reading a part of the Scripture. in the morning the 10 Commandments are to be read and the Apostles Creed in the evening service. The pastor or an elder prays often on behalf the congregation. In the end of worship the pastor blesses the congregation. The songs are adopted from the Psalms. During worship the congregation remains silent and respectful, women wear headcoverings in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11.[2] In this way all of the various doctrines will be covered at least once a year.
Creeds and confessions [edit]
The church subscribes to the Three Forms of Unity which are as follows:
- Belgic Confession of Faith (1561)
- Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
- Canons of Dort (1618/19)[3]
The church adheres to the five points of Calvinism.
History [edit]
Before emigration to North America [edit]
This church originated in 1830 before the emigration to the United States, when a small group in the Netherlands called the Gereformeerde Gemeenten broke away from the state church.[4]
Emigration to North America [edit]
Distancing themselves from their fellow secessionists of Albertus van Raalte and his associates Cornelius Vander Meulen and Hendrik Scholte due to doctrinal disputes, they led their own emigration first to South Holland, Illinois, in 1865 and then to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1870.[5]
Post emigration [edit]
1972 status [edit]
In 1972, there were fourteen Netherlands Reformed Congregations in the United States, most still conducting their services half in Dutch and half in English, with over five thousand members.
1993 church split [edit]
In 1993 there was a split in the Netherlands Reformed Congregations resulting in a new denomination called the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations, which was renamed the Heritage Reformed Congregations in 2005. The two denominations, although split, continue to co-operate with the running of Christian schools founded by the NRC.
As of 2008 the Heritage Reformed Congregations has five churches in the United States and five in Canada. The denomination is one of the "governing denominations" of the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary,[6] and is a federation of churches with 2000+ members total in its congregations.[7] Churches can be found in Kinnelon NJ, Grand Rapids MI, Hull IA, Plymouth WI, Harrison AR, Bradford ON, Burgessville ON, Chilliwack BC, Fort MacLeod AB, and Jordan ON.
Current status [edit]
In 2001 there were 26 churches and 9395 members in Canada and the United States. In 2012 the church has 27 congregations and 10,500 members. Currently there are 3 Classis.
Classis East composed of congregations in Brant, Ontario, Clifton, NJ, Franklin, NJ, La Broquerie, Manitoba, Markham, Ontario, Norwich, Ontario, St. Catherines, Ontario.
Classis FarWest Churches are in Artesia, California, Calgary, Alberta, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Choteau, Montana, Fort Macleod, Alberta, Lethbridge, AB, Lynden, WA, Picture Butte, Alberta, Sunnyside, WA.
Classis Midwest congregations are in Corsica, SD, 2 churches in Grand Rapids, MI, Kalamazoo, MI, Lansing, IL, Rock Valley, IA, Sheboygan, WI, Sioux Center, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, Springfield, MO, Waupun, WI and there are churches in Bolivia in Rincon, Santa Cruz and Loma Alta[8]
Recent status [edit]
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America continue to have close relations with their sister churches (the Gereformeerde Gemeenten) in the Netherlands. The church services in North America are now mostly conducted in the English language, with some services still in the Dutch language.[9]
Mission fields [edit]
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations is involved in mission work in the Loma Alta area of Bolivia.
Education [edit]
Sunday school and catechism classes [edit]
In general the churches hold Sunday School and Catechism classes for the youth of the congregation. These classes may be held after the Sunday morning service.
Elementary/high schools [edit]
Netherlands Reformed Christian Educational Association consists of twelve schools throughout the United States and Canada, with approximately 3,100 students as of the 2006-2007 school year.
Publications [edit]
Magazines and articles [edit]
- The Banner of Truth - A monthly publication of the denomination
- Insight Into - The official publication for the youth of the denomination
- Paul - Bimonthly magazine published by the denominational Mission Board
- Learning and Living - The official publication of the Netherlands Reformed Christian Educator's Association
Books [edit]
- Treasured Meditations - Prints and reprints of sermons, tracts, and other spiritual literature
External links [edit]
- Official website Netherlands Reformed Congregations
References [edit]
- ^ http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gereformeerde_Gemeenten_in_Nederland_en_Noord-Amerika
- ^ http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/history.html
- ^ http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/statement.html
- ^ http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gereformeerde_Gemeenten_in_Nederland_en_Noord-Amerika#Ontstaan
- ^ http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/history.html
- ^ About PRTS
- ^ Reformed and Presbyterian Denominations: A Primer
- ^ http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/churches.html
- ^ http://www.gergeminfo.nl/geschiedenis.htm
