The CRC denomination in the United States has its roots in the Dutch Reformed Church, which was founded in 1857 under the name of the “Christian Reformed Synod”. CRC has over 1,000 churches and more than 170,000 members in the United States and Canada, and is active worldwide.
Distribution of the CRC denomination:
- United States: Midwest region: Approximately 400 churches (Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, etc.) East region: Approximately 200 churches (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, etc.)
West region: Approximately 120 churches (California, Washington, Oregon, etc.) - Canada: Ontario: Approximately 240 churches Alberta: Approximately 50 churches
Doctrines of the CRC denomination:
- God: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who reveals Himself in the Bible, created the world and is working to restore it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity.
- Jesus Christ: The Son of God who became human, our mediator and advocate, who died on the cross for humanity and rose again from the dead to prove His divinity.
- The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of God, coexistent with the Father and the Son, who guides and empowers Christians and testifies to the authority and glory of Christ.
- The Bible: The Word of God, the source of truth, and the authoritative guide for all of humanity’s spiritual needs.
- Salvation: Through faith, we can reconcile with God and ultimately live with Him in heaven.
- The Church: A place where all believers come together to worship God, receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and spread the gospel to the world.
- The Last Day: The second coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment of truth and righteousness, and the existence of heaven and hell, all according to God’s plan and will.
Features of the CRC denomination:
- Ritualistic: The CRC denomination places importance on the ceremonial aspects of religious life. It highly regards ritualistic events such as communion, confession, and other similar events, as well as conducting worship in a solemn and refined manner.
- Education: The CRC denomination places great importance on education. The goal is to learn biblical knowledge and wisdom through education and to develop knowledge and skills that can demonstrate faith in various fields of active social participation.
- Society: The CRC denomination is sensitive to social issues. It actively promotes awareness and response to poverty, racial discrimination, environmental issues, and seeks solutions to social issues through various social activities.
- Multicultural: The CRC denomination is a multicultural church. People with diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds come together to worship, and practice mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance in church operations.
- Financial Stability: The CRC denomination has financial stability. It has funds available for financial support within the denomination and provides financial support in various fields, such as church construction, support projects, and mission activities.
- Gathering-oriented: The CRC denomination emphasizes gathering-oriented church life. The main purpose of the church gathering is not only worship but also sharing faith and life issues with each other. To this end, it supports small group meetings, youth and children’s educational programs, and various activities among church members.
- The CRC denomination is based on Reformed and evangelical faith, with the slogan “Reflection and Transformation through the Bible.” It regards a role in various social issues such as social justice, environmental protection, immigration issues, and interracial cooperation as important.
- The CRC denomination is based on the elder system and shares the Trinity of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Additionally, the denomination values the “Martyrs’ Community,” which is a small community of church members who share care and support for one another.
The worship style of the CRC denomination is diverse, ranging from traditional forms to contemporary styles, while making efforts to reflect the core values of the denomination.
