The first-ever Reformation Conference hosted by Christ URC in Santee, CA, drew an astounding number of first-time visitors. Of the approximately 130 attendees, more than 60 were not church members. “The idea behind the conference was to provide San Diego with an opportunity to be introduced to the Reformation and Reformed theology,” explains Rev. Michael … Continue reading URC in Santee reaches out with Reformation teaching
Second man called to teach full-time at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary
When Classis Central US of the URCNA convened on September 15, 2014, the primary item on the agenda was the colloquium doctum of Rev. Ken Anema, who served Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI, for almost 21 years and recently began teaching inmates through Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary. A requirement for that … Continue reading Second man called to teach full-time at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary
Waterdown’s Living Hope URC: Building a church from the outside in
Over 80 people attended the first service of Living Hope United Reformed Church in Waterdown, ON, on September 14, 2014. The new venture is a daughter church under the authority of Living Water Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brantford, ON. Living Water’s minister, Rev. Greg Bylsma, preached at the first service from Matthew 11:28-30 on “The … Continue reading Waterdown’s Living Hope URC: Building a church from the outside in
Trinity Reformed of Cape Coral: Florida URC’s ebb and flow
Nestled among the popular beaches and tourist attractions of southern Florida, sits one of the most isolated churches in the URCNA. Trinity Reformed Church in Cape Coral is almost 900 miles and over 13 hours from its nearest URC neighbor (Covenant URC in Pantego, NC). Located near many vacation destinations, it receives numerous visitors but … Continue reading Trinity Reformed of Cape Coral: Florida URC’s ebb and flow
Metokos Ministries, encouraging small churches
Dr. Don K. Clements, a teaching elder (ordained minister) in the PCA, has over 40 years of ministry experience and for the last 25 has worked with small churches toward revitalization. Under the supervision of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, he is an Affiliate Evangelist who heads up Metokos Ministries, which provides encouragement for smaller churches. Christian … Continue reading Metokos Ministries, encouraging small churches
URC of Wellsburg: keeping and sharing the faith
Who says a small church can’t do big things? With only 11 families on the membership rolls, the United Reformed Church of Wellsburg is Classis Central’s smallest organized church. But it hosts an annual women’s retreat that brings Christian sisters together from beyond ecclesiastical boundaries. The annual retreat at a nearby Christian camp grew out … Continue reading URC of Wellsburg: keeping and sharing the faith
Small Churches: Measuring success or faithfulness?
The emergence and popularity of megachurches in recent years has led many church-goers to think of success in terms of numerical growth, but small congregations often surpass larger counterparts in important elements like fellowship and unity. Bigger isn’t necessarily better. The ultimate indicator of success is faithfulness. Any true church—no matter it’s size—is one that … Continue reading Small Churches: Measuring success or faithfulness?
OPC Chaplain influencing military ethics
Chaplain (Major) Paul Berghaus is an ordained OPC minister who serves as ethics instructor for the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and assistant pastor at the Infantry Chapel in Fort Benning, GA. His work on military ethics and moral philosophy has been published in the Journal of Military Ethics, and this spring he traveled … Continue reading OPC Chaplain influencing military ethics
Somerset Reformed Fellowship: New shoot from deep root
A United Reformed Church is being planted in Somerset County, Maryland, where American Presbyterianism first took root. Somerset Reformed Fellowship meets in Princess Anne, MD, under the supervision of Pompton Plains (NJ) Reformed Bible Church. Although the group hopes to soon lease Grace Episcopal Church, most recent meetings have been in Manokin Presbyterian Church—one of … Continue reading Somerset Reformed Fellowship: New shoot from deep root
CRCNA/RCA Synods
CRCNA/RCA Synods strengthen denominational union When the Synods of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) met in mid-June of 2014, they narrowed the increasingly thin 157-year-old gap between the two denominations. Both Synods met during the same time frame on the campus of Central College in … Continue reading CRCNA/RCA Synods
Glenda Faye Mathes 