Denomination
Reformed Church in America
Theological posture
Reformed heritage
Reformed or Presbyterian in heritage and confession, but its standards, practices or permitted range of views are broader; read each entry's points to weigh.
Doctrinal basis. Its four Standards of Unity are the three Reformed forms and the Confession of Belhar.
Points to weigh
- It approved the ordination of women as elders and deacons in 1972 and as ministers in 1979.
- Its positions on marriage and sexuality were not researched here; check its current statements.
Classification and points to weigh are reformededucation.org's judgments from the sources listed below. They describe and do not endorse; confirm current details with the institution.
About
The oldest continuing Protestant denomination in North America, with roots in the Dutch Reformed Church.
Details
- Abbreviation
- RCA
- Tradition
- Continental Reformed
- Founded
- 1628 (the first congregation, in New Amsterdam); named the Reformed Church in America in 1867
- Confessional standards
- The Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort and the Confession of Belhar
- Polity
- Reformed: consistories, classes and synod
- Size (as reported)
- Not stated
- What it believes and practices
- Adds the Confession of Belhar to the three Reformed forms.
- Ordains women as elders, deacons and ministers.
- Women in church office
- Permitted in all offices (elders and deacons 1972; ministers 1979)
- Sources consulted
- Website
- rca.org/about/