The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA or CRC) is a Protestant Christian denomination which follows Reformed Calvinist theology.^[1] The church promotes the belief that Christians do not earn their salvation, but that it is a gift from God despite one's failings and that good works are the Christian response to that gift. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x900, 36 KB)Logo for the Christian Reformed Church in North America File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Christian theology is reasoned discourse concerning... The word schism (IPA: or ), from the Greek σχίσμα, skhísma (from σχίζω, skhízō, to tear, to split), means a division or a split, usually in an organization or a movement. ... The Reformed Church in America (RCA) is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination that was formerly known as the Dutch Reformed Church. ... The Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA) are a denomination of 27 churches and almost 6000 members in the United States and Canada. ... The Orthodox Christian Reformed Church (OCRC) is a theologically conservative federation of churches in the Dutch Calvinist tradition. ... The United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) is a theologically conservative federation of churches. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church, Jewish synagogue, Mosque or other religious assembly. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      A Christian () is a person who... The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Zwinglian or Calvinist system of doctrine but organizationally independent. ... In an unadorned church, the 17th century congregation stands to hear the sermon. ...

The denomination currently counts nearly 300,000 members in approximately 1,000 congregations across the United States and Canada^[1], and has its roots in the Dutch Reformed churches in the Netherlands. The church was founded by Gijsbert Haan and Dutch immigrants in the mid 1800s. CRC churches are predominantly located in areas of Dutch immigrant settlement in North America, including Western Michigan, Chicago, the city of Lynden in Washington State, British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Alberta, Iowa, suburban southern California, and northern New Jersey.^[2] The church has grown more ethnically diverse with some congregations predominantly Native American, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, African-American and Hispanic. Many churches, particularly in more urban areas, are becoming much more integrated. Emerging from its role as primarily an immigrant church, the church has become more outward focused in recent years.^[3] The Dutch Reformed Church or Netherlands Reformed Church (in Dutch: Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk (NHK)) is a denomination of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin. ... Gijsbert Haan or alternate spelling Gysbert Haan (January 3, 1801 - July 27, 1874) was the leader in the 1857 Secession from the Reformed Church of America, and the creator of the Christian Reformed Church. ... // Invention of the Jacquard loom in 1801. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... Western Michigan, also known as West Michigan, is a region of the U.S. State of Michigan. ... Nickname: Motto: “Urbs in Horto” (Latin: “City in a Garden”), “I Will” Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country United States State Illinois Counties Cook, DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City  234. ... Dutch Mothers restaurant on Front street in Lynden, Washington Lynden is a town in Whatcom County in the Northwestern section of Washington state. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo - Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 36 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 4th - Total 944,735 km... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area [1] Ranked... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit(Latin) One defends and the other conquers Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis - Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 11 - Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... Motto: i lost P.E.I. again mom:well, look under the couch Capital Charlottetown Largest city Charlottetown Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Barbara Oliver Hagerman - Premier Pat Binns (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 4 - Senate seats 4 Confederation July 1, 1873 (7th) Area Ranked 13th... Motto: Spem reduxit (Hope restored) Capital Fredericton Largest city Saint John Official languages English, French (the only constitutionally bilingual province in the country) Government - Lieutenant-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson - Premier Shawn Graham (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 10 - Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st... Motto: Fortis et liber(Latin) Strong and free Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Official languages English (see below) Government - Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong - Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 28 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (split from Northwest Territories) (8th [Province]) Area Ranked... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 199 miles (320 km)  - % water 0. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Official language(s) English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq mi (22,608 km²)  - Width 70 miles (110 km)  - Length 150 miles (240 km)  - % water 14. ... Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ...  Countries where Spanish has official status. ...

Theology

The denomination is considered evangelical and Calvinistic^[1] in its theology. It places high value on theological study and the application of theology to current issues, emphasizes the importance of careful Biblical hermeneutics, and has traditionally respected the personal conscience of individual members who feel they are led by the Holy Spirit. Church-authorized committees generally study contemporary societal and religious issues in-depth, and the CRC is cautious about changes. Reformed theology as practiced in the CRC is founded in Calvinism and influenced by the other great reformers, such as John Calvin. A more recent theologian of great influence on this denomination was Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920). Kuyper, who served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1901-1905, promoted a belief of social responsibility and called on Christians to actively engage in improving all aspects of life and society. Current scholars with growing reputations, such as philosopher Alvin Plantinga, Nicholas Wolterstorff, and the late Lewis B. Smedes have associations with this denomination and with Calvin College. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Calvinism is a theological... Hermeneutics may be described as the development and study of theories of the interpretation and understanding of texts. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Calvinism is a theological... John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564) was a French Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism or Reformed theology. ... Prof. ... The prime minister of the Netherlands is the head of the cabinet, and, as such, coordinates the policy of the government. ... Alvin Cornelius Plantinga (born 15 November 1932 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, of Frisian ancestry) is a contemporary American philosopher known for his work in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. ... The philosopher Nicholas Paul Wolterstorff was born January 21, 1932 in Bigelow, Minnesota. ... Lewis B. Smedes (1921-2002) was a renowned Christian author, ethicist, and theologian in the Reformed Tradition. ... Not to be confused with Collège Calvin. ...

The CRC belongs to the Reformed Ecumenical Council and the National Association of Evangelicals. Reformed Ecumenical Council is an international organization of calvinist Churches with a membership at large of 10 million people. ... The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is an agency dedicated to coordinating cooperative ministry for evangelical denominations of Christians in the United States. ...

Doctrinal Standards

The CRC subscribes to the Ecumenical Creeds^[4]. The church also uses the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort^[5]. In 1986, the CRC formulated a statement of faith entitled "Our World Belongs to God: A Comtemporary Testimony" which addresses issues such as secularism, individualism, and relativism. These issues were seen as "unique challenges of faith presented by the times in which we live" ^[6]. Ecumenical creeds is an umbrella term used in the western church to refer to the Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed and Athanasian Creed. ... The Confession of Faith, popularly known as the Belgic Confession, following the seventeenth-century Latin designation Confessio Belgica. ... The Heidelberg Catechism is a document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Reformed Christian doctrine. ... The Canons of Dort is one of the confessional standards of the Netherlands. ...

History

The Christian Reformed Church emblem appoved for U.S. military gravestones.

The Dutch Reformed churches have a long history of mergers and schisms, and the Christian Reformed Church has not escaped these. The Christian Reformed Church split from the Reformed Church in America in an 1857 Secession, which was in part the result of a theological dispute that originated in the Netherlands. Some other denominations later merged with the CRC, most notably the True Protestant Dutch Reformed Church in 1890. Other churches later split from the CRC, including the Protestant Reformed Church (1924-1926), the Orthodox Christian Reformed Church in 1988, and the United Reformed Churches in North America in 1996. Image File history File links USVA_headstone_emb-26. ... Image File history File links USVA_headstone_emb-26. ... The Reformed Church in America (RCA) is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination that was formerly known as the Dutch Reformed Church. ... January 1857 Secession of Christian Reformed Church from Reformed Church of America. ... The Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA) are a denomination of 27 churches and almost 6000 members in the United States and Canada. ... The Orthodox Christian Reformed Church (OCRC) is a theologically conservative federation of churches in the Dutch Calvinist tradition. ... The United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) is a theologically conservative federation of churches. ...

In the closing decades of the twentieth century, the Synod of the CRC enacted changes that were troubling to the more conservative members of its constituency, especially its 1995 decision to ordain women to ministerial positions. One result of this decision was that the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church broke fraternal relations with the CRC in 1997. The membership of the CRC in the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council, the single largest gathering of conservative Reformed denominations in the United States, was suspended in 1999 and terminated in 2001. This gradual doctrinal shift has spurred more conservative congregations to leave, and a significant number of these have ended up in either the PCA, OPC, or the Orthodox CRC and United Reformed Church mentioned above. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is a Protestant denomination, the second largest Presbyterian church body in the United States after the Presbyterian Church (USA). ... Along with Westminster Theological Seminary, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) was founded by conservative Presbyterians who revolted against the modernist theology within the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) during the 1930s. ... North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council is an association of some Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the United States and Canada. ...

In 2007, the CRC commemorated its sesquicentennial, themed "Grace Through Every Generation: Remembering, Rejoicing, and Rededicating". Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Church Goverance

The ecclesiastical structure of the church involves three levels of assembly: the church council (local assembly, comprised of a congregation's deacons, elders, and ministerial staff), the classis (regional assembly, of which there are 47: 36 in the United States, 12 in Canada, and 1 straddling the international border), and the synod (bi-national assembly.) ^[7] The church's Synod meets annually in June, with 188 delegates: two ministers and two elders from each classis. Central offices of the church are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Burlington, Ontario. The diaconate is one of three ordained offices in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches. ... A synod (also known as a council) is a council of a church, usually a Christian church, convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. ... A synod (also known as a council) is a council of a church, usually a Christian church, convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. ... Nickname: Location of Grand Rapids within Kent County, Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Kent Founded 1826 Incorporation (city) 1850 Government  - Mayor (Part-time) George Heartwell Area  - City  45. ... Motto: Stand By Coordinates: , Country Canada Province Ontario Region Halton Regional Municipality Established 1874 Government  - Mayor Cam Jackson  - Governing Body Burlington City Council  - MPs Mike Wallace (CPC), Garth Turner (Liberal)  - MPPs Joyce Savoline (PC), Ted Chudleigh (PC) Area  - City 187 km²  (72 sq mi) Population (2006)  - City 164,415 (Ranked...

Education

Reformed teaching puts an emphasis on education. As such, many CRC churches operate or support Christian day schools as well as post-secondary education. ^[8] The denomination supports Calvin College as well as Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the denomination's North American headquarters are located. Most ministers ordained in the denomination's churches trained at Calvin Seminary. Other colleges associated with the denomination are Trinity Christian College, Dordt College, Kuyper College, Redeemer University College, The King's University College, and the post-graduate Institute for Christian Studies. Not to be confused with Collège Calvin. ... Calvin Theological Seminary is a seminary affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and very closely tied to Calvin College. ... Nickname: Location of Grand Rapids within Kent County, Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Kent Founded 1826 Incorporation (city) 1850 Government  - Mayor (Part-time) George Heartwell Area  - City  45. ... Calvin Theological Seminary is a seminary affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and very closely tied to Calvin College. ... Trinity Christian College is a liberal arts college loosely affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America and the Reformed Church in America and located in Palos Heights, Illinois. ... Dordt College is a private, Christian, liberal arts college located in Sioux Center, Iowa. ... Kuyper College is a small ministry-focused Christian leadership college located in Grand Charter Rapids Township, just northeast of the city of Grand Rapids. ... The coat of arms of Redeemer University College, registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority Redeemer University College located in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, is a small college of Christian conviction with 750 students and faculty under the administration of Dr. Justin Cooper. ... For other uses, see Kings University College. ... Institute for Christian Studies is the name of several schools. ...

Notable Members

• Jay Van Andel, Richard DeVos, businessmen, co-founders of Amway
• Sietze Buning, poet, the pen name of Stanley Wiersma (1930-1986)
• Jerry Dykstra, Executive Director - Christian Reformed Church in North America
• Vern Ehlers, U.S. Representative from Michigan
• Frederick Manfred, author of Westerns, the pen name of Feike Feikema (1912-1994)
• Alvin Plantinga, Philosopher, University of Notre Dame
• Cornelius Plantinga, theologian, author, President of Calvin Theological Seminary
• Lewis Smedes, author, ethicist, and theologian (1921-2002)
• The Staal brothers
  • Eric Staal, NHL hockey player, Carolina Hurricanes
  • Marc Staal, OHL player, Sudbury Wolves
  • Jordan Staal, NHL player, Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Jared Staal, OHL player, Sudbury Wolves
• Nicholas Wolterstorff, Philosopher, Yale University

Others, such as novelist Peter De Vries and filmmaker Paul Schrader, were raised in the church by CRC-member parents and attended denominational schools, but later left that tradition. However, the influence of CRC origin can be detected in their later work, especially the films of Schrader, who has publicly stated that "a religious upbringing... never goes away."^[9] Jay Van Andel, (1924-2004) American businessman best-known as the co-founder of the Amway Corporation, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 3, 1924. ... Richard DeVos, Sr. ... Headquarters in Ada, Michigan Amway is a multi-level marketing (MLM, also known as network marketing) company founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos. ... Vernon James Ehlers (born February 6, 1934), American politician, is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 3rd District of Michigan (map). ... Frederick Feikema Manfred (January 6, 1912 to September 7, 1994) was a noted Western author. ... Alvin Cornelius Plantinga (born 15 November 1932 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, of Frisian ancestry) is a contemporary American philosopher known for his work in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. ... Cornelius Plantinga is the President of Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. Prior to holding this position he was the Dean of the Chapel at Calvin College. ... Calvin Theological Seminary is a seminary affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and very closely tied to Calvin College. ... Lewis Benedictus Smedes (1921 — December 19, 2002) was a renowned Christian author, ethicist, and theologian in the Reformed tradition. ... Eric Joseph Brent Staal (born on 29 October 1984 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. ... “NHL” redirects here. ... The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. ... Marc Staal, (born January 13, 1987 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada) is an ice hockey player born to Henry and Linda Staal. ... OHL All-Star Game 2006 Opening Face Off. ... Sudbury Wolves make an entrance on home ice Sudbury Wolves, 1938 The Sudbury Wolves are a junior ice hockey team that play in the Ontario Hockey League. ... Jordan Staal (born on September 10, 1988 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. ... NHL can also be an abbreviation for National Historic Landmark or Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. ... The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... Jared Staal (born September 21, 1990 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada) is an ice hockey player. ... OHL All-Star Game 2006 Opening Face Off. ... Sudbury Wolves make an entrance on home ice Sudbury Wolves, 1938 The Sudbury Wolves are a junior ice hockey team that play in the Ontario Hockey League. ... The philosopher Nicholas Paul Wolterstorff was born January 21, 1932 in Bigelow, Minnesota. ... Peter De Vries (February 27, 1910 - September 28, 1993) was an American editor and comic novelist known for his satiric wit. ... Paul Joseph Schrader (born July 22, 1946 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a screenwriter and film director, renowned for his characters that fall into desperation while their world crumbles around them. ... Paul Joseph Schrader (born July 22, 1946 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a screenwriter and film director, renowned for his characters that fall into desperation while their world crumbles around them. ...

See also

• Christian Reformed Churches (Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken), a different denomination with a similar name in the Netherlands.

The Christian Reformed Churches (Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken) are a protestant church in the Netherlands with about 75,000 members. ...

References

• Bratt, James H. Dutch Calvinism in Modern America: A History of a Conservative Subculture. Eerdmans, 1984.
• Doezema, Linda Pegman. Dutch Americans: A Guide to Information Sources. Gale Research, 1979.
• Kroes, Rob, and Henk-Otto Neuschafer, eds. The Dutch in North America: Their Immigration and Cultural Continuity. Amsterdam: Free University Press, 1991.
• Kromminga, John. The Christian Reformed Church: A Study in Orthodoxy. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1949.
• Schaap, James. Our Family Album: The Unfinished Story of the Christian Reformed Church. Grand Rapids, Mich.: CRC Publications, 1998.

A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ...

External links

• Christian Reformed Church in North America
• Calvin Theological Seminary
• Book of Church Order for the CRCNA
• Detailed church history
• Asian-American CRCs
• Institute for Christian Studies Website
• Reformed.net
• Information about Calvin College
• Information about Dordt College