Canadian and American Reformed Churches

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Canadian and American Reformed Churches
Classification	Protestant
Theology	Orthodox Reformed
Governance	Presbyterian
Associations	International Conference of Reformed Churches, North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
Origin	16 April 1950 Lethbridge, Alberta (Canada)
Branched from	Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated)
Congregations	57
Members	19,205
Statistics as of December 2018[1]

The Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CanRC) are a federation of over fifty Protestant Christian churches in Canada and the US, with historical roots in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, and doctrinal roots in the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. Its emphasis is on Biblical, Christ-centered, covenantal, redemptive-historical preaching and teaching, and holy living as a response of gratitude to the gospel.

Basic beliefs and doctrine[]

In the Canadian and American Reformed Churches the Bible is confessed to be the infallible Word of God and the authoritative rule for all of life. The basis of the preaching and teaching in these churches is the belief that Jesus Christ is both true man and true God and is the long-awaited Messiah who suffered and died for the sins of God's people, and that this demands a thankful response of faith and obedience. Like many other Reformed churches, they teach that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. They follow Reformed (Calvinist) theology, and have adopted the Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort) as their doctrinal standards.^[2]

Upon public profession of faith, members are understood to subscribe to the confessions of the church as faithfully summarizing the doctrine of the Bible. Profession of faith also makes them subject as communicant members to a longer process of church discipline, up to and including excommunication, if they are considered delinquent in doctrine or lifestyle.^[3] This is ascertained by other members, and by the elders through yearly home visits.^[4]

History[]

The Canadian and American Reformed Churches trace their origins to the Protestant Reformation as it developed in the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands and came to Canada via post Second World War Dutch immigrants.

The Canadian Reformed Churches were founded by members of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) (GKV) who immigrated to Canada following World War II. These Dutch immigrants first made contact with already-existing Reformed churches in Canada, especially the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), in the hope that they could join with them. This was deemed impossible due to theological differences with the PRC, and the CRCNA's sympathy with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands, which had expelled the GKV in 1944 over a disagreement regarding Abraham Kuyper's view of the covenant.^[5][6]

The Canadian Reformed Churches maintained ecumenical relations with the GKV until tension between the two churches led to an official termination of their relationship by the General Synod of the Canadian Reformed Churches in 2019.^[7] Reasons for this decision included disapproval of the GKV's hermeneutics,^[8] as well as the GKV's more accepting views regarding women in office, common law couples, and homosexual members.^[9]

The first Canadian Reformed congregation was instituted in Lethbridge, Alberta, on April 16, 1950. The same year, churches were instituted in Edmonton and Neerlandia, Alberta; Orangeville, Ontario; and New Westminster, British Columbia. Currently there are over 50 congregations, which can be found in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as in the American states of Washington, Michigan and Colorado.^[10]

Church government[]

Under the assertion that the government of the church must be regulated by the Bible, the Canadian Reformed Churches practice what they call a traditionally Reformed "bottom-up" polity, as opposed to a "top-down" model of church government. This approach to church polity reflects their continental Reformed roots. They say it is both anti-hierarchical and anti-independent, promoting both the autonomy of the local church and the need to cooperate within a federation.

Only male members who have made profession of faith and meet the conditions as set forth in certain Biblical passages (such as 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) are eligible for office as pastors, elders, and deacons.^[11] Women are not eligible for office and are not usually permitted to vote in church elections. ^[12]

The government of the Canadian Reformed Churches is based on the church order adopted by the Synod of Dort (1618–1619). The federation is divided into eight classical regions, with two annual regional synods and a general synod every three years.

Missions[]

Foreign missions: the churches in Hamilton and Cloverdale are involved in mission in Brazil. The church at Toronto is involved in mission in Papua New Guinea. The church in Smithville, Ontario, has a missionary in West Timor.

Native missions: a program of outreach was established in Smithers, British Columbia, among the First Nations.

Canadian and American Reformed Churches are involved in evangelism and home missions in the US and Canada. A radio ministry was established recently.^[13]

Ecumenical relations[]

The Canadian Reformed Churches also have "ecclesiastical fellowship" with a number of Reformed and Presbyterian church federations, including the following:

The Americas:

• United Reformed Churches in North America
• Reformed Church in the United States
• Orthodox Presbyterian Church
• L'Église réformée du Québec
• Igrejas Reformadas do Brasil

Abroad:

• Free Reformed Churches of South Africa
• Free Reformed Churches of Australia
• Reformed Churches of New Zealand
• Presbyterian Church in Korea (Koshin)^[14]
• Free Church of Scotland
• Free Church of Scotland (continuing)

Organic unity was being pursued with the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA). Although close fellowship is maintained, the quest for organizational unity slowed down in 2010. The Canadian Reformed Churches are members of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) and the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC).

Education[]

On the principle that theological education must be maintained by the churches and for the churches, the federation operates the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary, which is located in Hamilton, Ontario.

Although separate from the denomination, parents within the federation have organized a number of privately funded schools at the elementary and secondary levels across the country.^[15] There are currently twenty-eight schools affiliated with the Canadian and American Reformed Churches, including sixteen elementary schools, three highschools, and nine kindergarten-to-grade 12 schools.^[16]

References[]

External links[]

• Official web site for the Canadian and American Reformed Churches
• Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary