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The Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CanRC) is a federation of over fifty Protestant Christian churches in Canada and the USA, with historical roots in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, and doctrinal roots in the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation. Its emphasis is on Biblical, Christ-centered, covenantal, Redemptive-historical Preaching and teaching, and holy living as a response of gratitude to the gospel. BASIC BELIEFS AND DOCTRINE In the Canadian and American Reformed Churches, members believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and authoritative rule for all of life. The heart of their preaching and teaching is that Jesus of Nazareth is both true man and true God and is the long-awaited Messiah who suffered and died for the sins of God's people, and that this demands a thankful response of faith and obedience. Like other Reformed churches, it teaches that Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone, follows Reformed ( Calvinist ) theology, and has adopted the Three Forms of Unity ( Belgic Confession , Heidelberg Catechism , Canons Of Dort ) as its doctrinal standards. Upon public profession of faith, members are understood to subscribe to these confessions as faithfully summarizing the doctrine of the Bible. HISTORY The Canadian Reformed Churches were founded by Dutch immigrants who came to Canada following World War II , and were members of the Reformed Churches In The Netherlands (Liberated) . These Dutch immigrants first made contact with already existing Reformed churches in Canada, especially the Protestant Reformed Churches In America (PRC) and the Christian Reformed Church In North America (CRCNA), in the hope that they could join with them. This was not possible however, due to theological differences with the PRC, and the fact that the CRCNA sympathized with the churches that the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated) had broken away from in 1944. The first Canadian congregation was instituted in Lethbridge, Alberta on April 16 , 1950 . There are presently just over 50 congregations, with a total membership of 16365 at the end of 2006. Local churches are found in British Columbia , Alberta , Manitoba and Ontario , as well as in the American states of Washington , Michigan , Pennsylvania , Maryland and Colorado . CHURCH GOVERNMENT Believing that the government of the church must be regulated by the Bible, the federation holds to a traditional reformed "bottom-up" polity, as opposed to the "top-down" structure of many other Reformed denominations. It reflects a more continental Reformed approach to church polity. It emphasizes the principles of being anti-independent and anti-hierarchical, thus defending both the autonomy of the local church and the need to cooperate within a federation. Its official system of government is described in a church order based on the church order adopted by the Synod Of Dort (1618-1619). The federation is divided into eight classical regions, with annual regional synods, and a general synod every three years. ECUMENICAL RELATIONS The CanRC also has "ecclesiastical fellowship" with a number of Reformed and Presbyterian church federations, including the following: The Americas:
Abroad:
Organic unity is currently being pursued between the Canadian Reformed Churches and the United Reformed Churches In North America (URCNA). The Canadian Reformed Churches are also a member of the International Conference Of Reformed Churches (ICRC), and presently seeking membership in the North American Presbyterian And Reformed Council (NAPARC). THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION Maintaining the principle that theological education must be maintained by the churches and for the churches, the federation operates the Theological College of the Canadian Reformed Churches {Link without Title} , which is located in Hamilton, Ontario . REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINK
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