Although its roots can be traced back to a disturbance in the Reformed Church of the Netherlands in the 1830s, the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) was officially formed in the late 1850s by members of the Reformed Church in America who withdrew over what they considered to be irregularities in its beliefs and practices.
Although there were occasional differences among some of the early Christian churches, they were essentially one body or a single trunk of the Christian family tree. After about a thousand years, that trunk divided into Eastern and Western branches. The Protestant Reformation divided the Western church into several new branches. One of these, under the influence of Martin Luther, became the Lutheran church. Another branch developed through the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin. This branch was called Presbyterian in Scotland and Reformed in continental Europe. The Reformed churches were particularly strong in the Netherlands. Groups of Dutch Reformed people emigrated to the United States in the 1800s, forming the Reformed Church in America. In 1857, a large group broke away from that body to form the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
Affiliated with the Reformed Church in America from 1850 to 1857, the break was due to a disagreement over matters of doctrine and discipline. Among the reasons for the separation were a perceived lack of sound doctrinal preaching by American pastors, the use of hymns in worship, as the seceding faction insisted on psalm-singing only, and the American practice of open communion. Another of the points had to do with the question of whether Christians should belong to secret fraternal organizations, namely the Freemasons. At a conference in Holland, Michigan, the True Holland Reformed Church was formed, which, following a series of name changes, became the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Several new immigrant groups from Holland joined, increasing the size of the new denomination.
The new arrivals shared the commitment to the Reformed creeds and confessions, but they introduced a different vision, shaped largely by Dr. Abraham Kuyper, a Dutch theologian. Kuyper played a significant role in the new organization. While remaining grounded in Scripture and the confessions, Kuyper held that believers were not only called to maintain personal holy lives, but to extend God's kingdom into the society in which they lived, using Christian schools, institutions, and other organizations.
The CRC is theologically conservative, holding to the 1561 Belgic Confession, the 1563 Heidelberg Catechism, and the 1618 Canons of Dort. It also subscribes to the Ecumenical Creeds, such as the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Its theology and polity are Calvinist, evangelical, and confessional, placing significance in Biblical hermeneutics, theological study, and the correct application of theology to current issues.
On social issues, the CRC opposes abortion except when the life of the mother is genuinely threatened by pregnancy but holds that believers should be compassionate toward those experiencing unwanted pregnancies, even as they speak out against abortion. The denomination does not have an official position on euthanasia, although the CRC has expressed its official opposition to legal euthanasia in the United States and Canada. The position of the CRC on homosexuality is that it reflects the brokenness of a sinful world, and that Christian homosexuals should not pursue explicit homosexual practice, but that opportunities to serve should not be denied to homosexual members of the church. Its position on the death penalty is a moderate one, recognizing the rights of states to institute capital punishment.
The CRC follows a Presbyterian form of church polity, with churches governed by elders, as opposed to governance by bishops, as in the Episcopal, Methodist, and Roman Catholic denominations, or of autonomous congregations, as seen in Baptist and Congregational churches. Unlike the Presbyterian model, the CRC has limited tenure for elders and deacons, and ministers are ordained by the local congregation, not the regional class or presbytery. In the CRC, the Church Order is subordinate to the creeds and confessions, which are themselves subordinate to the Bible.
There are three levels of assembly in the CRC: the church council (local assembly), the classis (regional assembly), and the synod (bi-national assembly). There are forty-eight classis, thirty-seven in the United States, twelve in Canada, with one straddling the international border.
The central offices of the Christian Reformed Church in North America are in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Burlington, Ontario. Although the CRC has sent missionaries to several parts of the world, establishing Christian Reformed churches, these are independent of the North American denomination.
Recommended Resources
Back to God Ministries International
Back to God is the electronic media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Begun in 1939 as a weekly radio ministry, the organization still produces radio programs, as well as television broadcasts, Internet websites in ten languages, children’s dramas, daily devotionals, Bible resources, family resources, and other materials. Its history, leadership, volunteer and career opportunities, ministries, and downloadable resources are provided.
https://backtogod.net/
Founded in 1952, the Calvinist Cadet Corps is a youth program operated by Dynamic Youth Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Based on established landmarks, its programs are designed to meet boys where they are in life. Meeting weekly or bi-weekly in churches, the entire club meets together for the landmarks, before breaking up into smaller groups, known as cadres for Bible study and working on badges or other activities.
https://www.calvinistcadets.org/
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Commonly referred to simply as the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), the Protestant denomination is largely found in the United States and Canada, where it has more than a thousand member congregations, three-fourths of them in the United States. Its history, vision, faith, and governance are discussed, and associated churches and ministries can be found through the site, along with volunteer and career opportunities, and a digital informational library.
https://www.crcna.org/
Affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, DYM provides programs, curriculum, training, and materials to encourage children to develop a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. It manages the Calvinist Cadet Corps, the Esther School, Gems Girls’ Clubs, and ThereforeGo Ministries, each of which is featured here, with links to their individual websites. Mailing addresses for its US and Canadian offices are posted, and a contact form is included.
https://dynamicyouthministries.org/
GEMS stands for Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior. Affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church in North America, GEMS welcomes girls of all backgrounds, with clubs offered in local churches and Christian organizations throughout the United States, Canada, and some other countries. Formerly known as the Calvinettes, it retains its CRC affiliation but is an independent, non-denominational Christian organization. Information on finding or starting a club is offered.
https://gemsgc.org/
Originally known as Youth Unlimited, the American Federation of Reformed Young Men’s Societies, the Young Calvinist League, and the Young Calvinist Federation, ThereforeGo is non-denominational, although with its roots in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, and still supported by the CRC. Organized as a non-profit, it is known for its mission trips for teens, usually made up of youth groups from various churches. Its activities are highlighted here.
https://www.thereforego.com/
