Orthodox Christian Reformed Church

The Orthodox Christian Reformed Church (OCRC) is a theologically conservative federation of churches in the Dutch Calvinist tradition. These churches confess the Bible to be the Word of God and believe it is faithfully summarized by the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort.

History

The first Orthodox Christian Reformed Church congregation was organized in Listowel (now Wingham), Ontario Canada, in 1979 by families who had left the Christian Reformed Church for doctrinal reasons. The late Rev. Harry Van Dyken [http://www.burlingtonocrc.com/sermons/harryvd.htm] was very instrumental in the formation of the federation and founding churches. Over the next few years, s were formed in Grand Valley, Michigan, Burlington, Washington, and Toronto, Canada.

Representatives of these churches began meeting in 1981 to discuss church order and federation. The Orthodox Christian Reformed Church was formally organized in March 1988 with seven . Since then some new churches have joined and others have left. At present the federation numbers five churches. In Washington: Burlington. In British Columbia: Kelowna. In Ontario: Bowmanville, Cambridge, and Nobleton [http://www.immanuelocrc.com/] .

While the OCRC federation never grew to prominence in number, its size did remain stable for the first two decades of its existence. Its third decade has been one of reduction in the number of churches, and in turmoil. In 2004, the Wingham congregation joined with the Protestant Reformed Churches in North America (Acts of Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches 2004). With the eruption of the Federal Vision controversy, sides have been taken and churches have been lost on both sides. This has accounted for its relatively small size at present.

In August, 2008, the meeting of the Synod of the OCRC voted to join the United Reformed Churches in North America upon the latter's invitation. [http://www.oceansideurc.org/journal/ Note]

Beliefs

The Orthodox Christian Reformed Church believes in the Bible as the only Word of God and that it is without error and is the final authority for all of life.

Confessions

These are also called the Three Forms of Unity.

*Belgic Confession of Faith, 1561
*Heidelberg Catechism, 1563
*Canons of Dordt, 1618-1619

Creeds

Sometimes known as the Ecumenical Creeds.

*Apostles Creed, cira 150
*Nicene Creed, 381
*Athanasian Creed, 500

Congregations and External Link

* [http://www.immanuelocrc.com/ Immanuel Orthodox Christian Reformed Church ] Nobleton Ontario
* [http://www.cambridgeocrc.org/ Cambridge Orthodox Christian Reformed Church] Cambridge Ontario
* [http://www.burlingtonocrc.com/ Burlington Orthodox Christian Reformed Church] Burlington Washington

The Orthodox Christian Reformed Church of Burlington has a [http://www.burlingtonocrc.com/directory.html current list of congregations] on its website.