Netherlands Reformed Congregations - Revision history

ReformedMandalorian at 06:10, 13 December 2024

2024-12-13T06:10:41Z

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	}}		}}

	The '''Netherlands Reformed Congregations''' is a [[conservative]] [[Calvinist]] [[Religious denomination\|denomination]] with congregations in [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and [[Bolivia]]. It is affiliated with the [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]].		The '''Netherlands Reformed Congregations''' is a [[wikipedia:conservative\|conservative]] [[Calvinist]] [[Religious denomination\|denomination]] with congregations in [[wikipedia:Canada\|Canada]], the [[wikipedia:United States]] and [[wikipedia:Bolivia\|Bolivia]]. It is affiliated with the [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[wikipedia:Netherlands\|Netherlands]].

	The Netherlands Reformed Congregations aim to remain true to inerrant Scripture (the Bible) and its Calvinist heritage as expounded in the denomination’s doctrinal standards: [[Belgic Confession]], [[Heidelberg Catechism]], and [[Canons of Dort]]. They are also in agreement with the [[Westminster Standards]].		The Netherlands Reformed Congregations aim to remain true to inerrant Scripture (the Bible) and its Calvinist heritage as expounded in the denomination’s doctrinal standards: [[Belgic Confession]], [[Heidelberg Catechism]], and [[Canons of Dort]]. They are also in agreement with the [[Westminster Standards]].

ReformedMandalorian at 06:09, 13 December 2024

2024-12-13T06:09:46Z

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	\| congregations = 27<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>		\| congregations = 27<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>
	\| members = 11,172 (2016)<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>		\| members = 11,172 (2016)<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>
	\|website = [https://netherlandsreformed.org NetherlandsReformed.org ~~(unofficial)~~		\|website = [https://netherlandsreformed.org NetherlandsReformed.org]
	}}		}}

	The '''Netherlands Reformed Congregations''' is a [[conservative]] [[Calvinist]] [[Religious denomination\|denomination]] with congregations in [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and [[Bolivia]].		The '''Netherlands Reformed Congregations''' is a [[conservative]] [[Calvinist]] [[Religious denomination\|denomination]] with congregations in [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and [[Bolivia]]. It is affiliated with the [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]].
	It is affiliated with the [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]].

	The Netherlands Reformed Congregations aim to remain true to inerrant Scripture (the Bible) and its Calvinist heritage as expounded in the denomination’s doctrinal standards: [[Belgic Confession]], [[Heidelberg Catechism]], and [[Canons of Dort]]. They are also in agreement with the [[Westminster Standards]].		The Netherlands Reformed Congregations aim to remain true to inerrant Scripture (the Bible) and its Calvinist heritage as expounded in the denomination’s doctrinal standards: [[Belgic Confession]], [[Heidelberg Catechism]], and [[Canons of Dort]]. They are also in agreement with the [[Westminster Standards]].

	== Basic beliefs and doctrines ==		== Basic beliefs and doctrines ==
	~~{{Calvinism}}~~

	===Baptism===		===Baptism===
	The Netherlands Reformed Congregations hold to infant baptism but believe that although being baptized, each child still carries the personal necessity of being born again by the inward work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism places a child into an external (or outward) relationship to the covenant of grace, just as the Israelites who passed through the Red Sea were outwardly part of God's covenant people. Like the Israelites, baptized children have many of the outward benefits of the children of God. Until they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, however, they remain outside of the saving benefits of covenant of grace.		The Netherlands Reformed Congregations hold to [[infant baptism]] but believe that although being baptized, each child still carries the personal necessity of being born again by the inward work of the [[Holy Spirit]]. Baptism places a child into an external (or outward) relationship to the covenant of grace, just as the Israelites who passed through the Red Sea were outwardly part of God's covenant people. Like the [[Israelites]], baptized children have many of the outward benefits of the children of God. Until they are regenerated by the [[Holy Spirit]], however, they remain outside of the saving benefits of covenant of grace.

	===Bible version===		===Bible version===
	The church services are conducted using exclusively the [[Authorised Version]] (King James) of the Bible, but personal use of other Bible translations for comparison is permitted. Almost all of the songs sung during the worship service are based on the book of [[Psalms]].		The church services are conducted using exclusively the [[Authorised Version]] (King James Version) of the Bible, but personal use of other Bible translations for comparison is permitted. Almost all of the songs sung during the worship service are based on the book of [[Psalms]].

	===Worship and liturgical forms===		===Worship and liturgical forms===
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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	* ~~Website~~ [https://~~www~~.~~netherlandsreformed~~.org Netherlands Reformed Congregations]		* [https://netherlandsreformed.org NetherlandsReformed.org] - website for the Netherlands Reformed Congregations

	== References ==		== References ==

ReformedMandalorian at 06:06, 13 December 2024

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	~~{{Short description\|Conservative Calvinist denomination}}~~		{{Infobox denomination
	~~{{about\|the denomination in the United States, Canada, and Bolivia\|the denomination in general\|Reformed Congregations\|the same church in the Netherlands\|Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands}}~~
	{{Infobox ~~Christian~~ denomination
	\| name = Netherlands Reformed Congregations		\| name = Netherlands Reformed Congregations
	\| image = Kalamazoo_NRC.JPG		\| image = Kalamazoo_NRC.JPG
	~~\| imagewidth =~~
	~~\| caption = Kalamazoo Netherlands Reformed Congregation~~
	\| main_classification = [[Protestant]]		\| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
	\| orientation = conservative [[Calvinist]]		\| orientation = conservative [[Calvinist]]
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	\| polity = [[Presbyterian]]		\| polity = [[Presbyterian]]
	\| founder = [[Gerrit Hendrik Kersten]]		\| founder = [[Gerrit Hendrik Kersten]]
	\| ~~founded_date~~ = 1907<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314.asp www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314.asp]</ref>		\| date_founded = 1907<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314.asp www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314.asp]</ref>
	\| founded_place = [[Netherlands]]		\| founded_place = [[wikipedia:Netherlands\|Netherlands]]
	\| separated_from =		\| separated_from =
	\| branched_from = [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]]		\| branched_from = [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]]
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	\| congregations = 27<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>		\| congregations = 27<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>
	\| members = 11,172 (2016)<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>		\| members = 11,172 (2016)<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>
	\|website = ~~http~~://~~www~~.~~netherlandsreformed~~.org		\|website = [https://netherlandsreformed.org NetherlandsReformed.org (unofficial)
	}}		}}

ReformedMandalorian: Created page with "{{Short description|Conservative Calvinist denomination}} {{about|the denomination in the United States, Canada, and Bolivia|the denomination in general|Reformed Congregations|the same church in the Netherlands|Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands}} {{Infobox Christian denomination | name = Netherlands Reformed Congregations | image = Kalamazoo_NRC.JPG | imagewidth = | caption = Kalamazoo Netherlands Reformed Congregation | main_classification = Protestant | ori..."

2024-12-13T06:04:11Z

Created page with "{{Short description|Conservative Calvinist denomination}} {{about|the denomination in the United States, Canada, and Bolivia|the denomination in general|Reformed Congregations|the same church in the Netherlands|Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands}} {{Infobox Christian denomination | name = Netherlands Reformed Congregations | image = Kalamazoo_NRC.JPG | imagewidth = | caption = Kalamazoo Netherlands Reformed Congregation | main_classification = Protestant | ori..."

New page

{{Short description|Conservative Calvinist denomination}}
{{about|the denomination in the United States, Canada, and Bolivia|the denomination in general|Reformed Congregations|the same church in the Netherlands|Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name = Netherlands Reformed Congregations
| image = Kalamazoo_NRC.JPG
| imagewidth =
| caption = Kalamazoo Netherlands Reformed Congregation
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation = conservative [[Calvinist]]
| theology = [[Calvinism]]
| polity = [[Presbyterian]]
| founder = [[Gerrit Hendrik Kersten]]
| founded_date = 1907<ref>[http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314.asp www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1314.asp]</ref>
| founded_place = [[Netherlands]]
| separated_from =
| branched_from = [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]]
| merger =
| separations = 1967 some members formed the [[Reformed Congregations in North America]] & in 1993 groups from a number of congregations left to form the [[Heritage Reformed Congregations]]
| associations =
| area = [[United States]], [[Canada]] and [[Bolivia]]
| congregations = 27<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>
| members = 11,172 (2016)<ref>"2017 Yearbook"</ref>
|website = http://www.netherlandsreformed.org
}}

The '''Netherlands Reformed Congregations''' is a [[conservative]] [[Calvinist]] [[Religious denomination|denomination]] with congregations in [[Canada]], the [[United States]] and [[Bolivia]].
It is affiliated with the [[Reformed Congregations]] in the [[Netherlands]].

The Netherlands Reformed Congregations aim to remain true to inerrant Scripture (the Bible) and its Calvinist heritage as expounded in the denomination’s doctrinal standards: [[Belgic Confession]], [[Heidelberg Catechism]], and [[Canons of Dort]]. They are also in agreement with the [[Westminster Standards]].

== Basic beliefs and doctrines ==
{{Calvinism}}

===Baptism===
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations hold to infant baptism but believe that although being baptized, each child still carries the personal necessity of being born again by the inward work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism places a child into an external (or outward) relationship to the covenant of grace, just as the Israelites who passed through the Red Sea were outwardly part of God's covenant people. Like the Israelites, baptized children have many of the outward benefits of the children of God. Until they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, however, they remain outside of the saving benefits of covenant of grace.

===Bible version===
The church services are conducted using exclusively the [[Authorised Version]] (King James) of the Bible, but personal use of other Bible translations for comparison is permitted. Almost all of the songs sung during the worship service are based on the book of [[Psalms]].

===Worship and liturgical forms===
In keeping with the Dutch Calvinist traditions, most of the liturgical forms used are translations of the Dutch forms edited by [[Petrus Dathenus]] (1531–1588) and used during [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] times. Most of the member churches have services two or three times per Sunday. The topic for one service per 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. In addition to reading a part of the Scripture, the 10 Commandments are read during the Sunday morning service and the Apostles' Creed is read during the Sunday evening service. The pastor or an elder then prays with, and on behalf of the congregation. Following the prayer and the singing of a song adapted from the Psalms, the pastor delivers (preaches) the sermon. After the sermon, there is a closing prayer and more singing from the Psalter. The worship service ends with the pastor pronouncing the prayer for divine blessing from God upon the congregation, usually in the words of Numbers 6:24–26. During worship the congregation remains silent and respectful. Women wear headcoverings in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/history.html|title = Netherlands Reformed Congregations}}</ref> The intention of preaching a topical sermon guided by the Heidelberg Catechism is so that each of the various doctrines taught within Scripture will be covered at least once every year. The Netherlands Reformed Church recognizes two Sacraments: Holy Baptism and Lord's Supper. Children of members are usually baptized in the weeks or months following birth. The Lord's Supper, on the other hand, is usually held about four or five times per year although this may vary among individual churches. Only members who are (1) truly repentant for their sins, (2) have fled to Jesus Christ for salvation, and (3) are purposed from the heart to live in true thankfulness to God, are welcome to participate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prca.org/communion.html|title = Administration of the Lord's Supper}}</ref>

== Creeds and confessions ==
The church subscribes to the [[Three Forms of Unity]], which are as follows:
* [[Belgic Confession|Belgic Confession of Faith]] (1561)
* [[Heidelberg Catechism]] (1563)
* [[Canons of Dort]] (1618/19)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/statement.html|title = Netherlands Reformed Congregations}}</ref>
The church adheres to the five ''Solae'' of the [[Protestant Reformation]].
*[[Scripture alone]]
*[[Faith alone]]
*[[Grace alone]]
*[[Christ alone]]
*[[Glory to God alone]]<ref>[http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/statement.html www.netherlandsreformed.org/statement.html]</ref>

==History==

===Before emigration to North America===
[[File:Gereformeerde Gemeente Barendrecht.jpg|260px|right|thumb|Netherlands Reformed Congregation of [[Barendrecht]]]]
This church originated in the [[1834 Dutch Reformed Church split]], when a small group in the [[Netherlands]] called the [[Reformed Congregations|Reformed Congregations (Gereformeerde Gemeenten)]] broke away from the state church.<ref>[[:nl:Gereformeerde Gemeenten in Nederland en Noord-Amerika#Ontstaan]]</ref>

===Emigration to North America===
Distancing themselves from their fellow [[Secession of 1834|secessionists]] of [[Albertus van Raalte]] and his associates [[Cornelius Vander Meulen]] and [[Hendrik Scholte]] due to [[doctrine|doctrinal]] disputes, they led their own [[emigration]] first to [[South Holland]], [[Illinois]], in 1865 and then to [[Grand Rapids]], [[Michigan]], in 1870.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/history.html|title = Netherlands Reformed Congregations}}</ref>

===Post emigration===

====1972 status====
In 1972, there were fourteen Netherlands Reformed Congregations in the [[United States]], most still conducting their services half in [[Dutch language|Dutch]] and half in [[English language|English]], with over five thousand members.

====1993 church split====
{{main|Heritage Reformed Congregations}}
In 1993, there was a split in the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, resulting in a new denomination named the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations (renamed the [[Heritage Reformed Congregations]] in 2003).<ref>“Church News: Announcement,” ''Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth'' 11, no. 10 (December 2003): 276.</ref> The background was that the Rev. J. R. Beeke had been divorced from his first wife in 1988 and remarried one year later; that leads to the question if he was able to hold offices in the church, which a majority of the synod possibly denied. <ref>“Decker, Troubles among the Netherland Reformed Congregations,” https://sb.rfpa.org/1-troubles-among-the-netherlands-reformed-congregations-2-pca-general-assembly-rebukes-crc-for-departure-from-the-scriptures/ ; The unfailing faithfulness of God (2019), p. 162. </ref> A letter of the dutch sister church - the Gereformeerde Gemeenten – stated: „Our representatives, who visited your December-meeting, informed us that the discussions during your meeting appeared to have come to a deadlock. In light of that situations they raised a proposal to take a vote to see whether the Synod still had confidence in Rev. J.R. Beeke. They told us that they came to this proposal because they really did not know what could be done in this situation and that they hoped that their proposal might open a way out of an impossible situation.“ <ref> „The Banner of Truth (US) 7/1/1993, p. 5 ff.“ https://www.digibron.nl/viewer/collectie/Digibron/offset/1/zoekwoord/Joel+Beeke/id/tag:BannerOfTruth,19930701:newsml_63433b5980eee21cecd6870cc6e1e348 </ref>

====Current status====
In 2001, there were 26 churches and 9,395 members in Canada and the United States. In 2016, the church has 27 congregations and 11,172 members. Currently, there are three [[Classis (ecclesiastical)|Classis]]. In [[Bolivia]], there are congregations in Rincon, [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra|Santa Cruz]] and Loma Alta.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.netherlandsreformed.org/churches.html |title=Churches of Netherlands Reformed Congregations |access-date=2013-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103092519/http://netherlandsreformed.org/churches.html |archive-date=2016-01-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Statistics ====
The NRC consists of these congregations:
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:70%;"
|-
! colspan="10"| List of Netherlands Reformed Congregations
|-
! Congregation
! Name of the Classis
! Membership 2014
! Membership 2015
! Membership 2016
! Pastor
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Artesia, California)]]
| Far West
| 22
| 22
| 20
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Brant County, Ontario)]]
| East
| 166
| 195
| 258
| Rev. H. de Leeuw
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Calgary, Alberta)]]
| Far West
| 61
| 61
| 47
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Bethel Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Chilliwack, British Columbia)]]
| Far West
| 915
| 937
| 953
| Rev. P. van Ruitenburg
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Choteau, Montana)]]
| Far West
| 24
| 24
| 24
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Clifton, New Jersey)]]
| East
| 133
| 120
| 131
| Rev. C. Vogelaar
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Corsica, South Dakota)]]
| Mid West
| 241
| 235
| 238
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Fort Macleod, Alberta)]]
| Far West
| 408
| 431
| 438
| Rev. H.D. den Hollander
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Franklin Lakes, New Jersey)]]
| East
| 631
| 635
| 611
| (vacant)
|-
| [[First Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Grand Rapids, Michigan)]] (Beckwith)
| Mid West
| 825
| 850
| 859
| Rev. H. Hofman Jr.
|-
| [[Covell Avenue Netherlands Reformed Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan)]]
| Mid West
| 222
| 229
| 225
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Kalamazoo, Michigan)]]
| Mid West
| 318
| 308
| 311
| (vacant)
|-
| [[True Reformed Church (Lansing, Illinois)]]
| Mid West
| 33
| 35
| 35
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Lethbridge, Alberta)]]
| Far West
| 1,261
| 1,291
| 1,118
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Church (Lynden, Washington)]]
| Far West
| 146
| 149
| 128
| Rev J. Den Hoed
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Markham, Ontario)]]
| East
| 63
| 59
| 60
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Nobleford, Alberta)]]
| Far West
| 0
| 0
| 412
| Rev. G.M. de Leeuw
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Norwich, Ontario)]]
| East
| 2,106
| 2,111
| 2,106
| Rev. E. Hakvoort
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Picture Butte, Alberta)]]
| Far West
| 1,103
| 1,131
| 965
| Rev E.C. Adams
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Church (Rock Valley, Iowa)]]
| Mid West
| 1,492
| 1,485
| 1,453
| Rev J. Witvoet
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Rogersville, Missouri)]]
| Mid West
| 21
| 23
| 23
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Sheboygan, Wisconsin)]]
| Mid West
| 81
| 75
| 67
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (St. Catharines, Ontario)]]
| East
| 182
| 191
| 202
| Rev. A.H. Verhoef
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Sioux Center, Iowa)]]
| Mid West
| 300
| 313
| 328
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Church (Sioux Falls, Iowa)]]
| Mid West
| 53
| 56
| 61
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Church (Sunnyside, Washington)]]
| Far West
| 69
| 69
| 62
| (vacant)
|-
| [[Netherlands Reformed Congregation (Waupun, Wisconsin)]]
| Mid West
| 93
| 110
| 106
| (vacant)
|-
|-
|
|
| '''10,968'''
| '''11,097'''
| '''11,172'''
|
|}

====Recent status====
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America continue to have close relations with their sister churches (the [[Reformed Congregations]]) in the [[wikipedia:Netherlands|Netherlands]]. The church services in [[wikipedia:North America|North America]] are now mostly conducted in the [[wikipedia:English language|English language]], with some services still in the [[wikipedia:Dutch language|Dutch language]].<ref>http://www.gergeminfo.nl/geschiedenis.htm</ref>

==Mission fields==
The Netherlands Reformed Congregations is involved in mission work in the Loma Alta, Santa Cruz, and Tarija areas of [[wikipedia:Bolivia|Bolivia]].

==Education==
===Sunday school and Catechism classes===
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===
[[Netherlands Reformed Christian Educational Association]] consists of twelve schools throughout the United States and Canada, with 3,358 students as of the 2016–2017 school year.

==Publications==

===Magazines and articles===
* ''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===
* ''Treasured Meditations'' – Prints and reprints of sermons, tracts, and other spiritual literature

==See also==
* [[Reformed Congregations]]
* [[Nigeria Reformed Church]]
* [[Gereja Jemaat Protestan di Indonesia]]
* [[Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary]]

== External links ==
* Website [https://www.netherlandsreformed.org Netherlands Reformed Congregations]

== References ==

[[Category:Reformed denominations in the United States]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1830]]
[[Category:Calvinist denominations established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:1830 establishments in the Netherlands]]