The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (CRCA), formerly known as the Reformed Churches of Australia (RCA) is a Christian denomination established in Australia belonging to the Reformed/

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

tradition.

Background

This denomination has its roots in the European

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

of the 15th and 16th centuries, affirming the beliefs that God grants salvation by grace alone, in Christ alone and through faith alone.Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
- accessed 22 April 2010''A Church en Route: 40 Years Reformed Churches of Australia'' by J.W. Deenick (ed), Reformed Churches Publishing House, Geelong (Vic) 1991.*''Religious Bodies in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide (3rd ed)'' by Rowland Ward and Robert Humphreys, New Melbourne Press, Melbourne (Vic) 1995. The denomination is part of the worldwide family of

reformed churches Calvinism (also called the Reformed Tradition, Reformed Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, or simply Reformed) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the Christian theology, theological tradition and forms of Christianity, Christ ...

which came into being at the time of the Reformation, and declared themselves reformed from the teachings and practices of the

Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

at that time. Whereas

Martin Luther Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Order of Saint Augustine, Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Reformation, Protestant Refo ...

was the champion of the Reformation in

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

John Calvin John Calvin (; frm, Jehan Cauvin; french: link=no, Jean Calvin ; 10 July 150927 May 1564) was a French theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system ...

was the champion of the Reformation in

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

, the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

and northern Europe. It is John Calvin's understanding of the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...

, as spelled out in his

Institutes of the Christian Religion ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'' ( la, Institutio Christianae Religionis) is John Calvin's seminal work of systematic theology. Regarded as one of the most influential works of Protestant theology, it was published in Latin in 1536 (at th ...

, that forms the

doctrinal Doctrine (from la, doctrina, meaning "teaching, instruction") is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system ...

basis of the various reformed churches. This doctrinal basis is further summarized in the three Confessions to which the continental reformed churches adhere: *

Belgic Confession The ''Confession of Faith'', popularly known as the Belgic Confession, is a doctrinal standard document to which many of the Reformed churches subscribe. The Confession forms part of the Three Forms of Unity of the Reformed Church, which are still ...

Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism (1563), one of the Three Forms of Unity, is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Calvinist Christian doctrine. It was published in 1563 in Heidelberg, ...

Canons of Dordt The Canons of Dort, or Canons of Dordrecht, formally titled The Decision of the Synod of Dort on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands, is the judgment of the National Synod held in the Dutch city of Dordrecht in 1618–19 ...

And by the Confession to which the

churches adhere: *

Westminster Confession The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the " subordinate standard" ...

History

This denomination was established by post-

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

migrants in 1951. Many of the migrants had been members of the

Reformed Churches in the Netherlands {{Infobox Christian denomination , name = Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Dutch ''Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland'') , image = , caption = , main_classification = Protestant , orientation = Calvinist , polity = Presbyterianism , ...

. They had no desire to start new congregations in their new home, and had been advised to seek the pastoral care of the Scottish Free Presbyterians (i.e. the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia) upon their arrival in Australia. The differences between the culture of the Australian-Scottish Presbyterians and the Reformed Netherlanders was a hindrance, but the real problem was the liturgical restrictions where no instrumental accompaniment was allowed and only psalms were sung. The Dutch migrants struggled to find churches in Australia which embraced and upheld Biblical and Reformed theology, with a national profile that could enfold these new settlers, and was governed according to reformed tradition. For these reasons, in December 1951, they organised a separate denomination, initially composed of Reformed Churches in

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

Penguin Penguins (order (biology), order List of Sphenisciformes by population, Sphenisciformes , family (biology), family Spheniscidae ) are a group of Water bird, aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere: on ...

and

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

. The new denomination held their first

Synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word ''wikt:synod, synod'' comes from the meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin ...

in June 1952 in premises owned by the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia at East St Kilda. By 1955, some dozen congregations were formed in all Australian states, and the denomination, then named the Reformed Churches of Australia, grew to around 10,500 by the early 1990s, when it was renamed the Christian Reformed Churches Of Australia. Currently there is an active membership of around 7800 in over fifty churches spread throughout

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. This steady decline is due to a desire to assimilate in their new country, welcome changes in the

Anglican Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...

and

Churches in some states bringing these denominations theologically closer, and certain aspects of generational change. Numerous South African immigrants in the last decade have slowed this trend, as have converts from other denominations. From exclusively Dutch beginnings, the CRCA is now a culturally diverse group, reflecting the character of Australian society, and is seeking to proclaim the Christian message in a contemporary and relevant way. The denomination has been instrumental in the establishment of many

Christian school A Christian school is a school run on Christian principles or by a Christian organization. The nature of Christian schools varies enormously from country to country, according to the religious, educational, and political cultures. In some countr ...

s, including the

Illawarra Christian School Illawarra Christian School (ICS) is a co-educational Christian parent-controlled school in Cordeaux Heights, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia that was established in 1982 and it offers from Preschool to Year 12 education. It began its P ...

Sutherland Shire Christian School Shire Christian School is an Independent school, independent Nondenominational Christianity, non-denominational Christian Mixed-sex education, co-educational Pre-school education, early learning, Primary school, primary and Secondary school, sec ...

Tyndale Christian School (New South Wales) Tyndale Christian School is an independent, non-denominational Christian, co-educational , early learning, primary and secondary day school, located in Blacktown, a suburb in Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The school is named after ...

Calvin Christian School
Kingston Tasmania, and Covenant College (ACT). It is actively engaged in Christian missions both within Australia and abroad. One of these is The NSW THING. They have established their own

theological college A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, ...

, the

Reformed Theological College The Reformed Theological College (RTC) is the theological college supported by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, the Reformed Churches of New Zealand, and the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia. It is located in the Melbourne ...

Geelong Geelong ( ) (Wathawurrung: ''Djilang''/''Djalang'') is a port city in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River, ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

. They also own

Wedderburn Christian Campsite Wedderburn may refer to: People * Alexander Wedderburn (disambiguation) * Bill Wedderburn, Baron Wedderburn of Charlton (1927–2012), British politician and legal scholar * Charles F. Wedderburn (1892–1917), United States Navy officer * Da ...

, a Christian camp site in the outskirts of

. They also suppor
SWIM Solomon Islands
which is a missionary outreach in the Solomon Islands. The CRCA also produces a denominational magazine titled "Trowel And Sword" Since 2000, the CRCA has adopted a fourfold mission statement to remind and empower its member churches to set and focus on their primary goal of equipping God's people for the service of God both within and beyond itself. The four tasks are headed: Pray, Multiply, Train and Align.

Structure

The basic unit is the local church, which is governed by the local session as "elected" by the congregation. All sessions within a geographical area (typically on a statewide basis) meet every 3-4 months as a classis. Nationally, delegates meet every three years as a

. The synod deals only with issues raised by a classis. Therefore, all synodical issues were originally raised by a session, brought to a classis, before coming to the synod. At synod, policies for the church are formulated, directions considered, and new ways forward explored. In between synodical meetings the financial commitments of the member churches are administered by a Synodical Board of Management, while all other matters affecting the church as a whole are looked after by the Synodical Interim Committee. Permanent committees of synod include:
World Transform
Distributes funds collected for overseas relief work * Solomons Islands Workgroup: Workgroup supporting the missionary work carried out in the

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and north-west of Vanuatu. It has a land area of , and a population of approx. 700,000. Its capita ...

Notable members

Senator

Eric Abetz Eric Abetz (born 25 January 1958) is a former Australian politician who was a Senator for Tasmania from 1994 to 2022, representing the Liberal Party. He was the Minister for Employment and the Leader of the Government in the Senate in the Abbo ...

is a member of th
Kingston Christian Reformed Church
.

Local congregations

Member churches of the CRCA are found in every state of Australia, along with one church in the Australian Capital Territory. The member churches, listed alphabetically with their dates of institution, are as follows:''Christian Reformed Churches of Australia - Yearbook 2019/2020'', Reformed Churches Publishing House, Geelong (Vic) 2019.

Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (commonly abbreviated as ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a landlocked federal territory of Australia containing the national capital Canberra and some surrounding townships. ...

Reformed Church of Canberra
- Rivett (26 March 1975)

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

Christian Reformed Church of Blaxland
- Blaxland (5 July 1980)
Christian Reformed Church of Dee Why
- Dee Why (1 March 1954)
Hope Christian Community Church
- St Marys (1 January 1965)
Indonesian Reformed Church
- Castle Hill (2 April 2003)
Christian Reformed Church of Macarthur
- Cobbitty (1 December 1974)
New Life Christian Church
- Woodcroft (21 April 1953) * Christian Reformed Church of Newcastle - Argenton (25 May 1955)
Tanilba Christian Reformed Church
- Tanilba Bay (25 May 1955)
Christian Reformed Church of Sutherland Shire
- Barden Ridge (1 January 1960)
Christian Reformed Church of Sydney
- Castle Hills (16 December 1951)
Reformed Church of Wamberal
- Wamberal (1 May 1976)
Christian Reformed Church of Wollongong
- Fairy Meadow (16 December 1951)

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

Bray Park Community Church
- Bray Park (11 October 1980)
Christian Reformation Community Church
- Inala (13 March 1965)
Wishart Community Church
- Wishart (30 August 1980)
Open House Christian Reformed Church
- Gaven (12 August 2000)
Redlands Christian Reformed Church
- Ormiston (28 August 1999)
Christian Reformed Church of Tivoli
- Tivoli (9 February 1991)
Christian Reformed Church of Toowoomba
- Glenvale (19 April 1969)
Westside Christian Church
- Camira (29 November 2003)

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

Campbelltown Christian Reformed Church
- Campbelltown (24 October 1954) * Christian Reformed Church of Elizabeth - Elizabeth Vale (31 October 1971) * Hallett Cove Christian Reformed Church - Hallett Cove (13 February 2011)

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

Bay Christian Church
- Blackmans Bay (3 January 2010)
Good News Christian Church
- Howrah (9 May 1960)
Christian Reformed Church of Kingston
- Kingston (24 February 1952)
One Way Christian Church
- Margate (3 January 2010)
Pathway to Life
- Devonport (8 February 1958)
Redeemer Christian Church
- Huonville (TBI)
Riverbank Christian Church
- Riverside (7 March 1954)
Sanctuary Hill Christian Fellowship
- Penguin (13 October 1951)
Summerleas Christian Church
- Huntingfield (3 January 2010) * Christian Reformed Church of Ulverstone - Ulverstone (13 October 1951)

Reformed Church of Box Hill
- Box Hill (19 May 1957)
Casey Christian Reformed Church
- Narre Warren South (1 July 1969)
Christian Chinese Reformed Church
- Springvale South (4 December 1989) *Christian Reformed Church of Cobden - Cobden (19 February 1994)
Christian Reformed Church of Dandenong
- Dandenong North (1 July 1953)
Christian Reformed Church of Geelong
- Geelong West (28 October 1955)
Hope in the Hills Christian Church
- Tecoma (17 July 1955)
Christian Reformed Church of Langwarrin
- Langwarrin (30 June 1968)
Mount Evelyn Christian Reformed Church
- Mount Evelyn (1 October 1953)
Narre Warren Christian Church
- Narre Warren (19 February 1989)
One Hope Community Church
- Scoresby (2 July 1995) * Pakenham Christian Community Church (PC3) - Pakenham (TBI)
South Barwon Christian Reformed Church
- Waurn Ponds (5 November 1989) * Christian Reformed Church of South Gippsland - Leongatha (11 September 1957) * The Hub Church - Armstrong Creek (TBI)
Christian Reformed Church Wonga Park
- Wonga Park (20 June 1980)

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

Christian Reformed Church of Australind
- Australind (17 September 1959) * Forrestdale Gospel Community Church - Forrestdale (TBI)
Gateway Community Church
- Cockburn Central (4 May 2003)
Christian Reformed Church of Gosnells
- Gosnells (1 July 1974)

- Joondalup (18 November 2007)
Hope Community Church
- Baldivis (30 July 2017)
Wheatbelt Christian Fellowship
- Wongan Hills (TBI)
Willetton Christian Church
- Willetton (23 September 1984)
Wilson Christian Church
- Wilson (7 February 2016)

References

External links

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia website

Westminster Confession of Faith

SWIM Solomon Islands (Short Workshops in Mission)

Wedderburn Christian Campsite
{{authority control Christian organizations established in 1951 Protestantism in Australia Reformed denominations in Oceania Calvinist denominations established in the 20th century Members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches 1951 establishments in Australia