Churches in Communion

The Christian Reformed Church in North America has close relationships with a number of Reformed denominations through a variety of designated categories. The denominations that are especially close to the CRC are designated as “churches in communion.” Churches that are so designated may be engaged in joint ventures with the CRC and/or its agencies, 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.

The churches in communion with the CRCNA are:

Africa

Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN)

Nigeria

Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST)

Nigeria

Dutch Reformed Church in Africa

South Africa

Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGKA)

South Africa

Reformed Church in Africa (RCA)

South Africa

Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA)

South Africa

Reformed Churches in South Africa (Soutpansberg Synod) (RCSA-SP)

South Africa

Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA)

South Africa

Reformed Church of Christ for Nations (RCCN)

Nigeria

Asia, Australia, Indonesia

Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines (CRCP)

The Philippines

Christian Reformed Church of Myanmar (CRCM)

Myanmar

Christian Church of Sumba (CCS)

Indonesia

Christian Reformed Church of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ)

Japan

Europe and Middle-East

Netherlands Reformed Churches (NGK)

The Netherlands

*Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PCN) (Memo of Understanding)

The Netherlands

Evangelical Presbyterian Church - Synod of the Nile

Egypt

Latin America

Christian Reformed Church in Cuba (CRCC)

Cuba

North America

Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)

United States

Reformed Church in America (RCA)

United States

Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO)

South America

Evangelical Reformed Church in Brazil (ERCB)

Brazil

Reformed Church in Argentina (RCA)

Argentina

Churches in Cooperation

This classification recognizes all the other varied bilateral relationships the CRC has with Christian churches. Some of these relationships have originated through correspondence around mutual interests, others from historic ties, and still others through mutual ministry, whether by way of ecclesiastical connection, the work of CRC agencies, or a specific MOU.

Kingdom Network, USA

United States

Christian Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Christian Reformed Church in Eastern Africa (CRCEA)

Uganda

Christian Reformed Church of Haiti (CRCH)

Haiti

Christian Reformed Church in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Nkhoma Synod) (CCAP)

Malawi

Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (CJCM)

Madagascar

Evangelical Reformed Church of Burundi (ERCB)

Burundi

Presbyterian Church of Canada (PCC)

Canada (see Memo of Understanding)

Presbyterian Church of Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ)

Zambia

Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA)

Kenya

Sudanese Reformed Church

South Sudan

United Reformed Church in Congo

Congo

Kale Heywet Church

Ethiopia

Mennonite Church Canada

Canada

Pentecostal Assemblies of God

Uganda

Presbyterian Church of India—Mizoram Synod

India

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. The purpose of such participation is to better carry out the CRC’s ecumenical responsibilities broadly, effectively, and efficiently. Some are worldwide, and others are specific to Canada or the United States.

Worldwide Ecumenical Organizations

Global Christian Forum

Like the Christian Churches Together (CCT) development in the United States, the Global Christian Forum is a broad gathering of Christian Churches representing all of the branches of the Christian Church worldwide.

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. 

World Reformed Fellowship

World Reformed Fellowship (WRF) is a gathering of denominations (71), organizations, congregations, and individuals from seventy-nine countries around the globe. World Reformed Fellowship seeks to provide understanding, cooperation, and sharing of resources among these many evangelical and Reformed Christian members in order to advance the gospel.

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.

Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC)

The Church Council on Justice and Corrections is a national, faith-based, ecumenical organization established in 1972 and rooted inthe Christian faith. It brings together ten denominations from across Canada, including the Christian Reformed Church. Through our participation, the CRCNA is able to join the movement toward compassionate justice and corrections in Canada.

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.

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

While technically not in an ecumenical relationship with the CRC, this is nonetheless, a key ecumenical relationship for the CRCNA. KAIROS unites churches and religious organizations in a faithful “ecumenical-like” 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.

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 relatively recent (2004) 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/Pentecostal, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, historic Protestant and Racial and Ethnic churches.