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Monday, August 17, 2015

Four Fun Facts about the Christian Reformed Church in North America

1. The Christian Reformed Church in North America has its roots in the Dutch Reformed churches of the Netherlands and was founded by Dutch immigrants who left the Reformed Church in America in 1857. It's interesting that among the issues leading to the split from the Reformed Church in America was the use of hymns rather than Psalms (in other words, the "grand old hymns of the faith" haven't always been considered the proper songs for worship).

2. Not surprisingly, with "Reformed" in its name, the denomination is theologically Calvinist. It places high value on theological study and the application of theology to current issues. The denomination subscribes to the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed, as well as the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dort.

3. The denomination expanded following the Second World War with immigrants from the Netherlands. In general, the Christian Reformed Church advocates increases in immigration and legalizing illegal immigrants, noting that "because we eat and drink communion with immigrants who have no legal status -- we have a reason to care." The church has grown more ethnically diverse, with some predominantly Native American, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, African-American and Hispanic congregations.
  
4. Reformed tradition emphasizes and supports education, including education for those with special needs, elementary and secondary schools, various colleges, and post-graduate educational institutions.

--  Mindy



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