Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations
Encyclopedia
The Heritage Reformed Congregations are a conservative
federation of churches
with congregations in the United States
and Canada
.
, United States
.
In 2005, the 'Netherlands' part of the denomination name was dropped to become 'Heritage Reformed Congregations'.
As of 2008 there are six churches in the United States
and five in Canada
. The denomination owns and operates the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
, and is also a member of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
.
and the Five Points of Calvinism.
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
federation of churches
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
with congregations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
Formed in 1993 due to a split in the Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In 2005, the 'Netherlands' part of the denomination name was dropped to become 'Heritage Reformed Congregations'.
As of 2008 there are six churches in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and five in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The denomination owns and operates the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
The Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is a conservative Calvinist seminary located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The seminary's self-stated distinctive among Reformed seminaries in North America is a focus on experiential preaching and teaching. PRTS is the official seminary of the Heritage...
, and is also a member of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
The North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council is an association of several Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the United States and Canada...
.
Beliefs
Holding to the Reformed tradition, faith is centered in Christ, final authority is the Holy Scripture. The Heritage Reformed Congregations subscribe to the Three Forms of UnityThree Forms of Unity
The Three Forms of Unity is a collective name for the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism, which reflect the doctrinal concerns of Continental Calvinism and are accepted as official statements of doctrine by many of the Reformed churches.-History:From 1618 to 1619...
and the Five Points of Calvinism.