Often known simply as the Canadian Reformed Churches, since the majority of its member congregations are in Canada, the Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CanRC) was formed by Dutch immigrants after World War II.
After the Second World War, there was a large migration from the Netherlands to Canada, many of whom were members of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated), which was made up of members who had been deposed and excommunicated from the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands. Upon their arrival in Canada, these new immigrants looked to the existing Reformed churches.
However, they found that one of these denominations, the Protestant Reformed Church, required members to accept a document called The Declaration of Principles, which equated election and covenant. Many of them refused to do be bound by theological documents beyond Scripture and the Three Forms of Unity. The other major Reformed denomination in Canada was the Christian Reformed Church, which maintained close affiliations with the Dutch denomination that had earlier expelled them.
Instead, the new immigrants organized their own congregations, the first in Lethbridge, Alberta on April 16, 1950. That same year, congregations were formed in Edmonton and Neerlandia, Alberta, Orangeville, Ontario, and New Westminster, British Columbia. Currently, there are more than fifty member congregations, most in Canada, but others in the US states of Washington, Michigan, and Colorado.
The CanRC holds that the Bible is the final rule of faith and life in the church and that the main teachings of the Bible are summarized in the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, as well as the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort, which the CanRC considers to be faithful summaries of Scripture. However, only the Bible is given the credence of possessing divine authority.
In the Canadian Reformed Churches, church offices are available only to men who have made a profession of faith, while females are restricted from becoming pastors, elders, or deacons. Church government in the CanRC is based on the Synod of Dort, in which the federation is divided into eight classical regions, with two annual regional synods and a general synod every three years.
Recommended Resources
Originating in 1997 as a project ministry of the Cornerstone Canadian Reformed Church in Hamilton, Ontario, the non-profit Christian camp is currently situated 165 acres near Markdale, Ontario. Its history, mission, vision, and objectives are posted to the site, and the facilities are described, including rental information, volunteer opportunities, photo and video galleries, and summer camp activity schedules. Donations and purchases may be made through its online store.
https://campfirebiblecamp.ca/
Canadian & American Reformed Churches
The Canadian Reformed Churches is a federation of sixty-five churches, most of which are in Canada, but with a few in the United States. Its official website outlines its history, beliefs, and governmental structure, and provides access to its publications, affiliated organizations, missions, and ecumenical relationships with other churches. Other resources include a directory of member churches, ministers, and assemblies. Press releases, other news, and contacts are included.
https://canrc.org/
Canadian Reformed Churches of Centre Wellington
Centre Wellington is a township in south-central Ontario, Canada. The primary communities are Elora and Fergus. This site features churches within the township that are affiliated with the Canadian and American Reformed Churches, including the Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, the Canadian Reformed Church of Fergus North, and the Canadian Reformed Church of Elora. Maps showing the location of each and links to the church websites are included.
https://canadianreformedchurchesofcw.com/
Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary
Established in 1969, and located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the institution is the seminary of the Canadian and American Reformed Churches and offers a Diploma of Missionology, a Diploma of Theological Studies, a Bachelor of Theology, and a Master of Divinity. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, its programs, courses, and schedules are posted, along with its admissions policies, tuition, faculty, and other resources are featured.
https://www.canadianreformedseminary.ca/
Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers College
Formed through the League of Canadian Reformed School Societies in 1976, the CCRTC opened in the fall of 1981, moving to its current facilities in Hamilton, Ontario in 1998, where it offers three programs of study: two full-time diploma programs in preparation for a teaching career in Reformed Christian schools, and a part-time professional development certificate program for practicing teachers. Its programs, course outlines, academic regulations, and registration information are provided.
https://covenantteacherscollege.com/
Ebenezer Canadian Reformed School
Organized by members of the Smithers Canadian Reformed Church, and operated by the Canadian Reformed School Association of Smithers, the school opened in the fall of 1969 and was added onto in 1974. It is open to members in good standing of the Canadian Reformed Churches of Smithers and Houston, Faith United Reformed Church in Telkwa, and Bethel United Reformed Church in Smithers, British Columbia. A school calendar and contacts are posted.
https://www.ebenezerschool.com/
League of Canadian Reformed School Societies
Established in 1965 to support Reformed Christian schools in Ontario, the LCRSS assists member school societies by providing organizational, administrative, and educational resources, such as curriculum, committee publications, sample policies, best practices, and handbooks, as well as educational programs and other resources, which are outlined here. A profile of the organization is presented, and a list of members and career opportunities.
https://lcrss.ca/
A ministry of the Canadian Reformed Church, the mission of Reformed Outfitters is to provide Christian content through its website, and its application for Apple and Android mobile devices. The information provided on the site includes an overview of the Reformed faith, a belief in the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, which is summarized by a set of human documents known as creeds and confessions. Its authors are introduced, and its content is sorted by topic category.
https://reformedoutfitters.com/
Initiated in 1968 by the evangelism committee of the Canadian Reformed Church in Surrey, British Columbia, Voice of the Church is currently recorded and produced in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, on behalf of thirty-six supporting Canadian Reformed Churches, and carried by five radio stations on the air, as well as being streamed on the Internet. Its audio and video productions are featured, and its meditations, podcasts, and sermons may be heard or viewed online.
https://voiceofthechurch.org/
