Heritage Reformed Congregations

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Heritage Reformed Congregations
Heritage Reformed Congregations logo.png
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationContinental Calvinist
TheologyCalvinism
PolityPresbyterian
AssociationsNorth American Presbyterian and Reformed Council[1] and International Conference of Reformed Churches[2]
RegionUnited States and Canada
Origin1993[3]
Separated fromNetherlands Reformed Congregations
Congregations12 (2021)[4]
Members2,089 (2018)[5]
Other name(s)Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations
Official websiteheritagereformed.com

The Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC) are continental Calvinist denomination established in 1993, in the United States and Canada, by dissidents from the Netherlands Reformed Congregations under the leadership of Pastor Joel Beeke.[3] [6][7]

History[]

The Heritage Reformed Congregations were formed in 1993 by dissidents from the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, under the leadership of Joel Beeke.[3] Originally, the denomination was called the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations.[6] The current name was adopted in 2005.

In 1995, the denomination founded the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. Later, the seminar was supported by the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA).[8]

Starting in the 2010s, the denomination began a dialogue with the FRCNA about a possible denominational merger. In 2017, the two denominations held simultaneous synods, in the same place, to discuss the approximation.[9][10]

Doctrine[]

The HRC adopts the Three Forms of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort) as its official doctrine. The denomination advocates Biblical inerrancy and opposes the ordination of women.[6]

Inter-church Relations[]

The denomination is a member of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council[1] and the International Conference of Reformed Churches.[2]

Congregations[]

The Heritage Reformed Congregations consist of the following congregations:[11]

List of Heritage Reformed Congregations
Congregation Members 2010 Members 2012 Members 2014 Pastor
Bradford, Ontario 28 29 31 Donald Overbeek
Burgessville, Ontario 486 491 491 David Lipsy and Pieter van der Hoek
Chilliwack 210 233 189 Terreth Klaver
Fort Macleod, Alberta 49 11
Grand Rapids, Michigan 738 774 726 Joel Beeke and Maarten Kuivenhoven
Harrison, Arkansas 38 49 43 Foppe Van der Zwaag
Hull, Iowa 145 132 120 Bartel Elshout
Jordan Station, Ontario 286 290 299 Jan Neels
Kinnelon, New Jersey 178 176 176 Johnny Serafini
Plymouth, Wisconsin 11 12 14 Michael Fintelman
Bradenton, Florida a new church plant 2015 0 0 0 MA Kelderman
Total 2169 2197 2089

References[]

  1. ^ a b "List of members of the North American Presbyterian Council and Reformed". Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Members of the International Conference of Reformed Churches". Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Myron, Raul (December 1, 2019). "History of Heritage Reformed Congregations". Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "List of congregations of Reformed Heritage Congregations". Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "List of Reformed denominations in North America". Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Dutch Heritage Reformed Congregations". Reformiert Online. 2004. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "List of Reformed denominations in North America". Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary". MV Michigan. July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Report of the Synod of Reformed Heritage Congregations". Reformatorisch Dagblad. May 31, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  10. ^ "Unit Committee of Reformed Heritage Congregations". Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  11. ^ "2012 Yearbook of the Heritage Reformed Congregations."
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