(again)

The Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America have begun working together in many ways during the past few decades, both locally and at the denominational level. In recent years this collaboration has gained momentum and expanded rapidly. What is driving the acceleration and why is it growing so vigorously?

Family Ties

The spiritual heritage of both the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) traces back to Reformed churches in the Netherlands. Dutch immigrants to New York and New Jersey in the early 1600s formed the RCA; two centuries later, another wave of Dutch immigrants settled in the U.S. Midwest. RCA congregations welcomed and assisted the new immigrants.

Despite their common faith heritage, differences of opinion and culture led to the formation of the CRC in 1857. For more than a hundred years, as CRC and RCA churches sprang up across the U.S. and Canada, the two denominations independently sought to live out the Great Commandment within their faith communities and to engage in the Great Commission around the world.

A Shared Vision

As culture shifted over time and the number of unreached people in North America grew, churches in both denominations began to expand their focus on the redemptive and reconciliatory opportunities within their communities. This compelling mission began to soften the sense of independence. Undergirded by a common history, shared values and commitments, and a common vision for mission, the two denominations began to be drawn toward greater interdependence.

Collaboration continues to deepen and increase our effectiveness as we partner in an ever-growing number of ministries at the denominational, institutional and local levels. Our renewed partnership is bringing a greater collective witness of hope and transformation in Jesus Christ.

By the grace of God, the RCA and CRC embrace a common commitment to:

• Sharedbeliefsandconvictions• Workingtogethertoequipthelocalchurchtoengagein

mission• Movingtoapostureoflifelonglearningasadaptiveleaders• Innovationthatisrootedinourtraditions• PersonaltransformationinChristthatseeksthetransformation

of lives and communities.

All for the glory of God!

MultipliedMission

When CRC and RCA congregations work together, they can accomplish much more than they can on their own. The same is true on a denominational level. The added strength that is coming through shared resources and the synergy that partnership in new initiatives is bringing will help both denominations to better equip local congregations and to transform lives and communities.

Although our deepening partnership doesn’t mean that we always agree, our desire is to strengthen the Reformed witness by working together in a spirit of unity in as many areas as possible. In doing so, we intend to fuel a gospel fire that will focus God’s resurrection power, demonstrated through Jesus Christ, into the hopeless, hurting and broken parts of the globe.

As partnerships that realize efficiency, increase impact, and express a common witness in the world continue to deepen, our shared mission is multiplied as the Reformed witness expands. Current areas of collaboration include:

Better Together

Partnering for Increased Impact• ChaplaincySupportServices• ChildrenandWorship• ChurchMultiplication

Initiative• Coaching• CongregationalRevitalization• DisabilityMinistries• GlobalMission,Relief,and

Development• OngoingLeadership

Development• RidderChurchRenewal

Initiative• SeatoSeaBikeTour• SeminaryEducation(Calvin

Seminary and Western Seminary)

• TrainingandEvents–Discipleship, Small Group Ministry, Worship, Safe Church

• UrbanMinistry• UnionChurchesand

Community Ministries

Partnering for Increased Efficiency• InformationTechnology

Services• ReformedBenefits

Association• JointPublications• ResourceDistribution• WebsiteTechnology

Expressing a Common WitnessEcumenicalPartnershipsthrough • theWorldCouncilof

Reformed Churches (WCRC)• ChristianChurchesTogether(CCT)

• theGlobalChristianForum

Tolearnmoreabouttheseandother collaborative programs, please visit: crcna.org/togetheragain or rca.org/togetheragain.

crcna.org/togetheragainrca.org/togetheragain

Working Together to Expand the Reformed Witness