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Churches in Ecclesiastical Fellowship

The Christian Reformed Church in North America has particularly close relationships with some confessionally Reformed denominations. Designated “churches in ecclesiastical fellowship,” these churches work with the CRCNA in selected joint ventures, exchange delegates at synod, welcome each other’s members at the Lord’s Supper and each other’s pastors into the pulpit, and generally encourage each other in ministry and faithfulness.

These are the churches in ecclesiastical fellowship with the CRCNA:

AFRICA

Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria 
Nigeria

Church of Christ in the Sudan Among the Tiv
Nigeria

Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa
South Africa

Reformed Church in Africa
South Africa

Reformed Churches in South Africa
South Africa

Reformed Churches in South Africa (Soutpansberg Synod)
South Africa

Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa
South Africa

ASIA, AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA

Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines
The Philippines

Christian Church of Sumba
Indonesia

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
Australia

Dutch Reformed Church in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka

Reformed Church in Japan
Japan

EUROPE

Netherlands Reformed Churches 
The Netherlands

LATIN AMERICA

Christian Reformed Church in Cuba
Cuba

NORTH AMERICA

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 
United States

Evangelical Presbyterian Church 
United States

Reformed Church in America 
United States

SOUTH AMERICA

Evangelical Reformed Church in Brazil
Brazil

Reformed Church in Argentina
Argentina

Churches in Dialogue

The CRCNA also enjoys fellowship with other parts of the broader Body of Christ. Some “Churches in dialogue” have been formally recognized by Synod. These churches are:

  • Christian Reformed Church in Eastern Africa (Uganda)
  • Christian Reformed Church of Myanmar
  • Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Nkhoma Synod) Malawi
  • Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar
  • Evangelical Reformed Church of Burundi
  • Reformed Church in Zambia
  • Reformed Church of East Africa (Kenya)
  • Protestant Church in the Netherlands
  • Presbyterian Church in Canada

Churches in Other Ecumenical Relationships

  • Mennonite Church Canada
  • Presbyterian Church of India – Mizoram Synod
  • Pentecostal Church of Uganda
  • ... and many others

Ecumenical Organizations

The Christian Reformed Church in North America belongs to a number of ecumenical (multilateral) organizations. Ecumenical organizations are bodies which include a number of Christian denominations or ministries. Some are worldwide, and others are specific to Canada or the United States.

Worldwide Ecumenical Organizations

World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)
The WCRC was formed in 2010 by the uniting of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC), and represents more than 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide. The headquarters of the WCRC are in Geneva, Switzerland.

Caribbean and North America Area Council (CANAAC)
The Caribbean and North American Area Council (CANAAC) is the regional expression of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in the Caribbean, USA, and Canada, with over 20 member denominations.

Canadian Ecumenical Organizations

Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) 
The Canadian Council of Churches is the largest ecumenical body in Canada, now representing 23 churches of Anglican, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions. The CCC is one of the few ecumenical bodies in the world that includes such a range of Christian churches. The officers and staff of the Council are drawn from the whole diversity of traditions represented by the member churches.

The Canadian Council of Churches was founded in 1944. Member churches believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, according to the Scriptures. Members seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The CCC provides excellent resources for local churches; most are available on the CCC website.

Christian Reformed members serving in various ways with the CCC:

  • Board of Governors: Rev. Bruce Adema and Rev. Peter Slofstra
  • Executive Committee: Rev. Bruce Adema (President), Doreen Hoogvliets (Chair, Personnel Committee)
  • Commission on Justice and Peace - Michael Hogeterp and Kathy Vandergrift
  • Canadian Ecumenical Anti-Racism Network – Steve Kabetu
  • Commission of Faith and Witness – Dr. Elaine Botha
  • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Rev. Richard T. Vander Vaart
  • Muslim-Christian Liaison Committee – Dr. James Payton
  • Canadian Christian-Jewish Consultation – Dr. Daniel Machiela
  • National Advisory Group on Emergency Planning – Dianne Algera
  • Biotechnology Reference Group – Dr. James Rusthoven

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) 
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) is the national association of evangelical Christians in Canada. It gathers Christians together to dialogue, to equip and to partner for greater effectiveness in ministry and public witness. Since 1964 the EFC has provided a national forum for evangelicals and a constructive voice for biblical principles in life and society.

The EFC affiliates include evangelical congregations, denominations, educational institutions and ministry organizations. The EFC also has more than 15,000 supporting individuals.

The EFC provides excellent resources for local churches; e.g. upholding marriage initiatives and supporting the persecuted church. Website: www.evangelicalfellowship.ca.

Christian Reformed members serving in various ways with the EFC:

  • EFC Board of Directors – Mr. Charles De Jager
  • Heads of Denominations Meetings - Rev. Bruce Adema
  • Clergy Care Network - Rev. Al Dreise

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Although the relationship with KAIROS is not the responsibility of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee (it is overseen by the Canadian Ministries office), this is a key ecumenical relationship for the CRCNA. KAIROS unites churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to "do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). KAIROS deliberates on issues of common concern, advocates for social change and joins with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. Website:  www.kairoscanada.org.

KAIROS provides excellent resources for local churches e.g. Water: Life before Profit!

Christian Reformed members serving in various ways with KAIROS:

  • Board and Executive Committee – Ms. Louisa Bruinsma
  • Aboriginal Rights Program Committee – Harold Roscher
  • Canadian Social Development Program Committee – Mike Hogeterp
  • International Human Rights and Peacebuilding Program Committee – Rick DeGraaf
  • Ecological Justice Program Committee – Janet Wesselius
  • Animation, Communication and Education Program Committee – Karen Bokma
  • Global Economic Justice Program Committee – Moses Moini

Micah Challenge Canada
Steering Committee – Mike Hogeterp

Church Council on Justice and Corrections
Board - Rev. John De Vries

The Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy
Representative - Rev. Herm Keizer

United States Ecumenical Organizations

National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)
The mission of the National Association of Evangelicals is to extend the kingdom of God through a fellowship of member denominations, churches, organizations, and individuals, demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ by standing for biblical truth, speaking with a representative voice, and serving the evangelical community through united action, cooperative ministry, and strategic planning.

Christian Churches Together (CCT)
Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT) is a new forum growing out of a deeply felt need to broaden and expand fellowship, unity, and witness among the diverse expressions of Christian faith today. CCT is inclusive of the diversity of Christian families in the United States — Evangelical, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Pentecostals, historic Protestant, Racial and Ethnic churches.