The Netherlands Reformed Congregations (NRC) in North America is a small denomination that was formed in 1907 after breaking away from the Reformed Congregations of the Netherlands, although it maintains a close relationship with its parent denomination.
As a result of Dutch immigration to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s, several Dutch-speaking churches were organized. Originally under the parent denomination in the Netherlands, several of these churches found it to be practical to form a new denomination, not due to doctrinal differences, but so that they could train their own ministers and enjoy local oversight over member churches.
In the early years, the Dutch language was used in church services. In time, as older generations were replaced by newer members, the churches began to switch to English, but the Netherlands Reformed Congregations has remained true to its Reformed heritage as found in its doctrinal standards, the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort. The denomination is also in agreement in principle with the Shorter and Longer Westminster Catechisms. While the NRC holds that the Bible is the sole focus and authority in worship, they affirm that these documents are based on Scripture, and provide a common reference.
In church services, the NRC uses the King James Version of the Bible exclusively, but members are permitted to use other versions for comparison. Most of the songs used during worship services are based on the Psalms. Other than singing, the congregation is expected to remain respectful and silent, and women have their heads covered.
The NRC believes in the five points of Calvinism as summarized by the acronym TULIP (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, Preservation of the saints), as well as the Fiva Solas of the Protestant Reformation: Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone, and Glory to God Alone.
In 1967, some NRC members left to form the Reformed Congregations in North America. In 1993, there was a schism in the Netherlands Reformed Congregations that resulted in another new denomination, headed by Joel Beeke, that was initially named the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations, but was shortened to Heritage Reformed Congregations in 2005. While organized separately, the two denominations cooperate in the operation of some of the schools founded by the NRC.
Today, the NRC has approximately thirty congregations in the United States, Canada, and Bolivia.
The focus of this category is on the Christian denomination known as the Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America, sometimes referred to as the Netherlands Reformed Church. Generally, websites representing local congregations of the NRC will be listed in the Local & Global category corresponding to the location of the church, but those with substantial information about the denomination itself may also be listed here.
Recommended Resources
An initiative of various committees of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, the Bible and Book Ministry offers free access to downloadable books and brochures that are distinctly Reformed and Calvinistic, although not necessarily from NRC sources. Books are available in eight languages and may include classics, Bible references, Bible commentaries, books on theology, apologetics, ethics, and dogmatic topics, as well as church and church history.
https://bibleandbookministry.com/
First NRC Modern Media Committee
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan the Modern Media Committee is affiliated with the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, which is concerned about the dangers associated with modern media technology, and seeks to inform parents and families of the concerns related to Internet usage and to provide guidance for protecting families with children. Besides warnings, it provides technical advice on how parents can utilize available protective technologies.
http://firstnrc.org/
Netherlands Reformed Church Resource
Created by someone who attended a Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey for a time, but who is otherwise outside of the denomination, the site takes a critical look at the denomination, although not an entirely negative one. The site includes the doctrinal standards and liturgy, as well as the author’s analysis of NRC beliefs and practices, advice for seekers, relevant Scripture passages, as well as the writing of others, and links to books and online resources.
https://www.nrcrws.org/
Netherlands Reformed Congregations of North America
Created by a member of the NRC, the site is not intended to represent the official positions of the denomination but to inform those who wish to learn more. The site includes a statement of beliefs, the history of the denomination, and an overview of what to expect during an NRC worship service. A directory of NRC churches is presented, along with links to other online resources, such as sermons in print and audio, and links to related sites.
http://netherlandsreformed.org/
SermonWeb offers audio and reading sermons from ministers of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America and the Netherlands, both of which hold to the preaching of the experiential truth as expressed in the Three Forms of Unity: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession of Faith, and the Canons of Dort, all of which have been approved by the ministers involved or by their living children. New sermons are highlighted.
https://www.sermonweb.org/
