Canadian and American Reformed Churches

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The Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CanRC) is a federation of Protestant Christian churches. Its emphasis is on "truthful, Christ-centered preaching." Like other Reformed churches, it teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone, follows Reformed (Calvinist) theology, and has adopted the Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort) as its doctrinal standards.

[edit] Basic beliefs and history

In the Canadian and American Reformed Churches, members aim to live their lives in thankfulness to their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in all areas of their life. They believe that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God and that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. He is the Son of God and is in fact God himself incarnate (in the flesh). That is why he is called Immanuel, which means "God with us".

The Canadian Reformed Churches were founded by Dutch immigrants who came to Canada following World War II. At that time these Dutch immigrants first made contact with already existing Reformed churches in Canada, The Protestant Reformed Church (PRC) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), in the hope that they could join with them. This was not possible however, due to theological differences with the PRC and what was perceived to be a gradual leftward movement in the CRCNA.

The first Canadian congregation was instituted in Lethbridge, Alberta on April 16, 1950. There are currently just over 50 congregations. They are found in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as in the American states of Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Colorado.

[edit] Ecumenical relations

Throughout the years there has been some contact between the CanRC and the CRCNA. In 1996 the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) was formed in Lynwood, Illinois by members who seceded from the CRCNA due to the continual leftward movement in that church. Currently unity is being pursued with between the CanRC and the URCNA.

The CanRC also has "ecclesiastical fellowship" with a number of other Reformed and Presbyterian church federations, including the following: