Faith, religion, and spirituality in Holland, Michigan are the focus of topics in this guide.
Generally speaking, faith is a reference to a firm belief in what another states, affirms, or testifies, on the grounds of truth or veracity. More specifically, in theology, it refers to an understanding or affirmation of the truth of what God has revealed, or a belief in the testimony of God as stated in Scripture, although there may be differences from one religion to another.
Religion, on the other hand, is a belief binding the spiritual nature of man to a deity, as well as a system or codification of a believer's faith and worship. For example, Christianity is a religion that is broken down into several denominations and sects.
More difficult to define, spirituality brings life to faith and religion, as it recognizes the existence of the incorporeal, and is concerned with the human spirit or soul, as opposed to material or physical things. It is possible to be spiritual without being part of a religion, just as one can be part of a religion without being spiritual, but the spiritual person is one who gives consideration to the purpose of life.
As for Holland, Michigan, a recent survey suggested that residents of the city are considerably less religious than those in the average locality in Michigan or the larger United States. While 49.4% of Americans and 41.9% of Michiganders cited an affiliation with a religion, only 28.5% of residents in Holland indicated that they were religious.
Of these, the majority were Catholics, followed closely by the Presbyterians, and more distantly by the Methodists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Episcopalians, Mormons, and other Protestant denominations or non-denominational churches. Just over one percent cited an affiliation with an Eastern religion.
Despite a lack of religious affiliation among the majority of its population, Holland is known as the "City of Churches." There are a hundred and seventy churches in the greater Holland area, many associated with Reformed denominations. Holland was also the origin of the "What Would Jesus Do" (WWJD) bracelets that were popular among Christians in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Topics appropriate for this category include websites representing ministries or places of worship in Holland, Michigan, regardless of the particular religion, denomination, or sect.
Recommended Resources
Created in 2001, and based in Holland, Michigan, the En-Gedi Resource Center is an educational ministry designed to help Christians grow in their understanding of the Bible and their Messiah, largely through providing resources to study them within their original context. The history of the Resource Center is told, and its resources include the words of Jesus in context, parables and stories, Messianic expectations, and the Feasts of Israel, along with an introduction to Hebraic thought.
https://engediresourcecenter.com/
Formed by Dutch settlers before the Civil War, a 1957 split resulted in two denominations, the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church. First Reformed is associated with the Reformed Church in America. Located in Holland, Michigan, the history of the local church is told, and an overview of its ministries, worship services, educational programs, music ministries, and a calendar of events is posted on the site. Membership policies and contacts are included.
https://www.frcholland.org/
The UMC congregation meets at its facilities on West 10th Street in Holland, Michigan. The first English-speaking church in the community, the congregation was formed in 1861. Its history, leadership team, and an introduction to the church's Sunday worship services are set forth, along with its ministries to children, students, and adults. Weekly schedules, announcements, and a calendar of upcoming programs and events are published on the site, and contributions to the church may be made online.
https://www.fumcholland.org/
Meeting at its facilities on Michigan Avenue, the Holland, Michigan congregation holds services on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Its community services, missions, and groups are highlighted, and members may join a group through the site. Other resources include its office hours, telephone number, email address, and a contact form, as well as an overview of its outreach programs, impact, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, announcements, and an archive of past sermons.
https://www.graceepiscopalholland.org/
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church in Holland, Michigan is in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Mass times, Confession times, and church bulletins are published on the site, along with its discipleship programs for adults and families, elementary school, middle school, high school, and children, as well as its parish care ministries, community programs. A calendar of events, news, and announcements are posted, and links to Lakeshore Academy and Corpus Christi Catholic School are included.
https://oll.org/
Founded by immigrants in 1947, the congregation's current church in Holland, Michigan was constructed in 1856 and is the oldest building in the city. The history of the congregation and church building is presented, with an overview of its architecture, the church's affiliations and beliefs, and its ministries to children, students, adults, and others. Featured are a church directory, city groups, missional connections, service opportunities, and a calendar of events.
https://pillarchurch.com/
Affiliated with the Fearless Family of Churches, the Holland, Michigan congregation is highlighted, including introductions to its staff, lead elders, board of directors, shepherding elders, and pastors. Its beliefs in the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, faith and practice, salvation, destiny, and baptism are set forth, along with its weekend services, ministries to children, youth, families, and groups. Messages, videos, discussions, and testimonials are included.
https://ridgepointff.org/
Organized in 1867, the congregation was named Third Reformed Church because the First Reformed Church and Hope Reformed Church were previously founded. The history of the church is published here, along with announcements, a schedule of weekly meetings, and a calendar of events. An overview of its worship services, outreach and discipleship programs, and its online giving programs are put forth. Telephone and fax numbers, staff contacts, and a map showing the location of the church are included.
https://www.trcholland.org/
