Netherlands Reformed Congregations

Netherlands Reformed Congregations
Kalamazoo Netherlands Reformed Congregation
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Dutch Reformed
Theology	conservative Calvinist
Polity	Presbyterian
Region	United States, Canada and Bolivia
Founder	Gerrit Hendrik Kersten
Origin	1907 Netherlands
Branched from	Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands
Separations	1967 some members formed the Reformed Congregations in North America & in 1993 groups from a number of congregations left to form the Heritage Reformed Congregations
Congregations	27
Members	10.790 (2014)
Official website	http://www.netherlandsreformed.org

The Netherlands Reformed Congregations, is a conservative denomination with congregations in Canada, the United States and Bolivia. It is affiliated with the Reformed Congregations (Gereformeerde Gemeenten) in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands Reformed Congregations aim to remain true to inerrant Scripture (the Bible) and its Reformed heritage as expounded in the denomination’s doctrinal standards: Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort. They are also in agreement with the Westminster Standards.

The Netherlands Reformed Congregations hold to infant baptism but believe that although being baptized, each child still carries the personal necessity of being born again by the inward work of the Holy Spirit. Baptism places a child into an external (or outward) relationship to the covenant of grace, just as the Israelites who passed through the Red Sea were outwardly part of God's covenant people. Like the Israelites, baptized children have many of the outward benefits of the children of God. Until they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, however, they remain outside of the saving benefits of covenant of grace.

The church services are conducted using exclusively the Authorised Version (King James) of the Bible. Almost all of the songs sung during the worship service are based on the book of Psalms.

In keeping with the Dutch Reformed traditions most of the liturgical forms used are translations of the Dutch forms edited by Petrus Dathenus (1531-1588) and used during the Reformation times. Most of the member churches have services two or three times per Sunday. The topic for one service per week is based on one of the 52 Lord's Days from The Heidelberg Catechism. The worship starts with a prayer, followed by singing of a Psalm. In addition to reading a part of the Scripture, the 10 Commandments are read during the Sunday morning service and the Apostles' Creed is read during the Sunday evening service. The pastor or an elder then prays with, and on behalf of the congregation. Following the prayer and the singing of a song adapted from the Psalms, the pastor delivers (preaches) the sermon. After the sermon, there is a closing prayer and more singing from the Psalter. The worship service ends with the pastor pronouncing the prayer for divine blessing from God upon the congregation, usually in the words of Numbers 6:24-26. During worship the congregation remains silent and respectful. Women wear headcoverings in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11. The intention of preaching a topical sermon guided by the Heidelberg Catechism is so that each of the various doctrines taught within Scripture will be covered at least once every year. The Netherlands Reformed Church recognizes two Sacraments: Holy Baptism and Lord's Supper. Children of members are usually baptized in the weeks or months following birth. The Lord's Supper, on the other hand, is usually held about four or five times per year although this may vary among individual churches. Only members who are (1) truly repentant for their sins, (2) have fled to Jesus Christ for salvation, and (3) are purposed from the heart to live in true thankfulness to God, are welcome to participate.