Christian Reformed Church in North America
Presbyterian/Reformed, Evangelical
Date Founded: 1857
Membership 176,683 Number of Clergy: 452 as of 2014
Headquarters: 2850 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560
Core Beliefs:
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The Reformed confessions are subordinate to Scripture, are accepted as a true interpretation of this Word, and are binding on all officebearers and confessing members of the church.
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Synodical pronouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters are usually subordinate (except under specific occasions as noted below) to the confessions and are "considered settled and binding, unless it is proved that they conflict with the Word of God or the Church Order" (Art. 29). All officebearers and members are expected to abide by these decisions.
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The use and function of the synodical decisions (i.e., interpretation of the confessions, pronouncements beyond the confessions, adjudication of a particular issue, testimony, guidelines for further study or action, or pastoral advice) are explicitly or implicitly indicated by the wording of the particular decision itself. Synod 1975 adopted the following statement as “expressing the use and function of synodical pronouncements on doctrinal and ethical matters and their relation to the confessions” (Acts of Synod 1975, p. 44):
Short History: An offshoot of Dutch Calvinism, the CRC was formed by four Dutch-speaking churches in Michigan that removed themselves from the (U.S.) Dutch Reformed Church in 1857 over issues of doctrinal purity, lack of piety among American preachers, un-Biblical use of hymns in church, open communion tables, and a lack of solidarity with the cause of succession in the Netherlands among the American clergy. Around 1900 the church adopted English as the language of worship. More congregations were formed in Canada in the 1950s as many Dutch Calvinists emigrated to that county. The decision to allow the ordination of women in the 1960s saw over 40,000 members leave the church.
Local Churches - The closest congregation to Louisville is:
