Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia

The Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia has 110,000 members in 205 parishes and 103 mission churches and 59 house fellowships in 10 presbyteries. The bishop is the head of the church, contrast with other Reformed churches.[1]

Reformed church in Silica

History

Before World War I these congregations were part of the Reformed Church in Hungary. The Reformation reached this part of the country in 1520s. First Lutheranism, but later Calvinism dominated. In 1567 four presbyteries was formed in Eastern Slovakia. In the Synod of Debrecen the Second Helvetic Confession was adopted. During the Counter Reformation the princes of Transylvania protected the Reformed faith. In this time the princes extended their supremacy to this part of Hungary.

After World War II the church adopted its constitution. In 1925 a Theological Seminary was founded in Lucenec. In 1950s the denomination adopted a constitution.[2]

After the collapse of communism the church adopted a new constitution. The church runs 5 primary schools 2 secondary schools and 1 kindergarten.[3]

Doctrine

Demographics

The church had 110,000 members and 204 parishes and 103 congregations and 54 mission churches in 2001 an increase of 25,000 since 1991. Hungarian speaking members are about 95,000–100,000, the church has 225 active pastors, 200 are Hungarian speaking.[4][5]

There are 9 presbyteries in the denominations, the Pozsonyi, Komáromi, Barsi, Gömöri, Abaújtornai, Zempléni, Ungi, Nagymihályi, Ondova-Hernádi Presbyteries, and there are several mission congregations,[6] like the Hungarian Reformed Church in Prague.

Interchurch relations

Member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches,[7] World Council of Churches[8] sister church relations with the Reformed Church in Romania - Királyhágómelléki District was established.

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.reformata.sk/?page=history
  2. ↑ http://www.reformiert-online.net/adressen/detail.php?id=13265&lg=eng
  3. ↑ http://www.reformata.sk/?page=history
  4. ↑ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/reformed-christian-church-in-slovakia
  5. ↑ http://www.reformata.sk/?page=history
  6. ↑ http://www.reformata.sk/
  7. ↑ www.wcrc.ch/node/164
  8. ↑ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/europe/slovakia
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