Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands

The Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands (Dutch: Oud Gereformeerde Gemeenten in Nederland) is a pietistic Reformed denomination in the Netherlands.

Characteristics The characteristics of the denomination are the loose structure compared to other churches, and less dogmatic rigidity. In recent years, the denomination has worked closely with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Statistics The federation has 62 congregations and three departments in the Netherlands and one congregation located in Salford, Canada. Membership is approximately 18,000 baptized members. The largest congregations are in Urk, Barneveld, Geldermalsen, Kinderdijk, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Rijssen, Stavenisse. According to the Los Angeles Times, the federation is growing by 50 members annually.

Full list of all churches of the Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands: + List of churches of the Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Congregation Place Membership Pastor Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Achterberg 300 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Alphen aan den Rijn 150 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Amersfoort 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Barneveld 1025 dhr. R. Bakker (als lerend ouderling) Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Lieren (Beekbergen) 150 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Benthuizen 375 ds. P. van Veen Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Bergambacht 160 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Bunschoten 50 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Capelle aan den IJssel 50 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Doorn 200 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Dordrecht 350 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Echteld-Waalbandijk, nabij Ochten 175 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Ede-Spoorstraat 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Ederveen 150 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Elspeet 85 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Elst 140 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Ermelo 180 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Geldermalsen 900 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Gouderak 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Grafhorst 450 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Grand Rapids, United States 20 ds. G. Gerritsen Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands 's-Gravendeel 175 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands 's-Gravenpolder 250 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Hardinxveld-Giessendam 725 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Kampen 200 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Kinderdijk 850 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Klundert 20 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Krimpen aan den IJssel 1900 ds. A. Kort Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Leersum 325 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Lienden 145 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Lisse 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Loenen aan de Vecht 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Monster 75 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Langbroek 275 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Nieuw-Beijerland 125 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Oldebroek 70 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Oostburg 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Oosterland 450 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Oud-Beijerland 120 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Overberg 125 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Papendrecht 50 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Rhenen 125 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Rijssen 400 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Rouveen 550 ds. H. Romkes Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Salford (Ontario) 150 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Scheveningen 75 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Sint Philipsland 1050 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Sliedrecht 175 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Sint-Maartensdijk 100 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Stavenisse 850 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Urk 1300 ds. Th.L. Zwartbol Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Utrecht 100 dhr. A.F.R. van der Veen Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Veenwouden 70 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Waddinxveen 200 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Wekerom 650 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Werkendam 150 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Woudenberg 375 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Zierikzee 75 vacant Old-Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands Zoetermeer 80 vacant Total 17.845

History The federation was created in 1948 by the union of the Old Reformed Churches (Boone municipalities) and the Federation of Old Reformed Congregations. The Old Reformed Church was founded in 1907 with Pastor Boone as leader. The Federation of Old Reformed Churches was a small denomination founded in 1912. In 1952 a few Christian Reformed Churches also joined the. It has a theological seminary. In missions the Old-Reformed Church collaborates with the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Growth The church experienced growth during the 1950 and the 1960s, mainly because the free congregations joined the Old-Reformed Congregations. The number of the 48 congregations that formed the federation increased to over 60. A few Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands parishes joined in Leersum, Thorn and Dortrecht.

Doctrine The denomination adheres to the Three Forms of Unity of the Reformed faith: the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism.

Social issues The church is against the use of television and movies. Homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia and contraception are regarded as sinful. The children of the members must go to reformed schools. The women must wear long skirts and headcoverings in worship services.

Separations In 2007 the Old-Reformed Congregations (unconnected) was formed.

References