The current body of the Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) was formed in 1934, although it might be considered the continuing body of an earlier denomination by that name.
In 1934, the Reformed Church in the United States voted to merge with the Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now associated with the United Church of Christ), but one classis refused to participate in the merger, and continued as the Reformed Church in the United States.
The original body of the RCUS was organized as the German Reformed Church in 1725, under the leadership of John Philip Boehm, who had immigrated to America in 1720, starting the first German Reformed congregation near Philadelphia. In 1729, Boehm was ordained by the Classis of Amsterdam, which oversaw the American branch of the Dutch Reformed Church (now the Reformed Church in America), and the German Reformed congregations remained under the Dutch Reformed Church until the German Reformed Church adopted its own constitution in 1793, after which it was known as the Reformed Church in the United States.
During the 1800s. the RCUS was caught up in several controversies, including revivalism and some quarrels originating with the teachings of Philip Schaff and John Williamson Nevin at the church's seminary in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Other controversies, including a debate over the liturgy, also took place in the 1800s. Attempts to unite with the Calvinist Dutch Reformed Church were also rejected.
The 1900s saw further shifts toward ecumenism and higher criticism of the Bible. Concerned with the direction the RCUS was going, some more conservative clergy and laypeople formed the Eureka Classis of the RCUS to continue the traditional Reformed worship and polity. In 1934, the larger body of the RCUS voted to merge with the Evangelical Synod of North America to form the Evangelical and Reformed Church, which was an amalgamation of Lutheran and Reformed theology.
The Eureka Classis rejected the merger and identified themselves as the continuing Reformed Church in the United States. In 1986, the Eureka Classis was dissolved, and the current body of the Reformed Church in the United States was formed.
While the former body, which had become the Evangelical and Reformed Church, merged with the Congregational Christian Churches to become the United Church of Christ, known for its liberal doctrine and moral stances, the current RCUS holds to the classical, orthodox creeds of Christianity (the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed), as well as the historic Reformed symbols of unity (the Heidelberg Confession, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort).
The RCUS holds to the inerrancy of Scripture, including a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation story, but not of Revelation. It does not believe in the premillennial return of Christ. The RCUS denies church leadership roles to women and is not revivalistic. Ministers of the church are subject to dismissal or loss of ordination for officiating a same-sex marriage ceremony.
Its polity is presbyterian, with local congregations electing boards of elders and deacons, and the pastor serves as the presiding officer of the church. There are currently around fifty congregations and four classes, and its membership is concentrated in South Dakota, Colorado, and California.
The focus of this category is on the Protestant Christian denomination known as the Reformed Church in the United States. While websites representing local churches are ordinarily listed in the Local & Global category corresponding to the geographic location of the church, such sites may be listed here, as well, if they contain significant information about the denomination.
Recommended Resources
Founded in 2000, the conservative, evangelical seminary in Sacramento offers a seminary education to students of a variety of educational backgrounds, although its faculty are all from the Reformed Church in the United States. Offering programs leading to degrees of Associate of Theological Studies, Master of Theological Studies, Bachelor of Divinity, and Master of Divinity, as well as several certificate programs, its curriculum, admissions policies, and support services, are defined.
https://www.cityseminary.org/
Affiliated with the Reformed Church in the United States, the Covenant Reformed Church is located in Sacramento, California. Its site presents an overview and history of the denomination and the local church, a summary of its basic beliefs, church leadership, meeting schedules, youth programs, and a sermon archive. The definition of the gospel is presented, in a Reformed tradition. Contributions may be made to the local church online, and a contact form is included.
https://www.covenantreformedchurch.org/
Heidelberg Theological Seminary
Situated on the grounds of Trinity Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the chief mission of the seminary is to train and prepare men who are committed to being faithful pastors in the Reformed Church in the United States and sister denominations, although students may enroll from any Christian body as long as they can attest to a belief in the Apostles’ Creed. Its doctrinal standards, academic programs, admissions policies, and contacts are posted.
https://heidelbergseminary.org/
Reformed Church in the United States
The RCUS is a Christian denomination in the Reformed tradition. The denominational site features a directory of RCUS congregations and a directory of RCUS pastors, news releases, a monthly magazine, and other publications. A profile and general information about the denomination, its history, doctrine, and manner of worship are outlined. Other resources include standards, abstracts, and audio sermons, as well as a contact form.
http://www.rcus.org/
