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The Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America have begun working together in many ways during the past few decades, both locally and at the denominational level. In recent years this collaboration has gained momentum and expanded rapidly. What is driving the acceleration and why is it growing so vigorously?
Family Ties
The spiritual heritage of both the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) traces back to Reformed churches in the Netherlands. Dutch immigrants to New York and New Jersey in the early 1600s formed the RCA; two centuries later, another wave of Dutch immigrants settled in the U.S. Midwest. RCA congregations welcomed and assisted the new immigrants. Despite their common faith heritage, differences of opinion and culture led to the formation of the CRC in 1857. For more than a hundred years, as CRC and RCA churches sprang up across the U.S. and Canada, the two denominations independently sought to live out the Great Commandment within their faith communities and to engage in the Great Commission around the world.
A Shared Vision
As culture shifted over time and the number of unreached people in North America grew, churches in both denominations began to expand their focus on the redemptive and reconciliatory opportunities within their communities. This compelling mission began to soften the sense of independence. Undergirded by a common history, shared values and commitments, and a common vision for mission, the two denominations began to be drawn toward greater interdependence. Collaboration continues to deepen and increase our effectiveness as we partner in an ever-growing number of ministries at the denominational, institutional and local levels. Our renewed partnership is bringing a greater collective witness of hope and transformation in Jesus Christ. By the grace of God, the RCA and CRC embrace a common commitment to: • Shared beliefs and convictions • Working together to equip the local church to engage in mission • Moving to a posture of lifelong learning as adaptive leaders • Innovation that is rooted in our traditions • Personal transformation in Christ that seeks the transformation of lives and communities. All for the glory of God!
Multiplied Mission
When CRC and RCA congregations work together, they can accomplish much more than they can on their own. The same is true on a denominational level. The added strength that is coming through shared resources and the synergy that partnership in new initiatives is bringing will help both denominations to better equip local congregations and to transform lives and communities. Although our deepening partnership doesn’t mean that we always agree, our desire is to strengthen the Reformed witness by working together in a spirit of unity in as many areas as possible. In doing so, we intend to fuel a gospel fire that will focus God’s resurrection power, demonstrated through Jesus Christ, into the hopeless, hurting and broken parts of the globe.
Better Together As partnerships that realize efficiency, increase impact, and express a common witness in the world continue to deepen, our shared mission is multiplied as the Reformed witness expands. Current areas of collaboration include: Partnering for Increased Impact • Chaplaincy Support Services • Children and Worship • Church Multiplication Initiative • Coaching • Congregational Revitalization • Disability Ministries • Global Mission, Relief, and Development • Ongoing Leadership Development • Ridder Church Renewal Initiative • Sea to Sea Bike Tour • Seminary Education (Calvin Seminary and Western Seminary) • Training and Events – Discipleship, Small Group Ministry, Worship, Safe Church • Urban Ministry • Union Churches and Community Ministries
Partnering for Increased Efficiency • Information Technology Services • Reformed Benefits Association • Joint Publications • Resource Distribution • Website Technology Expressing a Common Witness Ecumenical Partnerships through • the World Council of Reformed Churches (WCRC) • Christian Churches Together (CCT) • the Global Christian Forum To learn more about these and other collaborative programs, please visit: crcna.org/togetheragain or rca.org/togetheragain.
crcna.org/togetheragain rca.org/togetheragain
Working Together to Expand the Reformed Witness