Reformed and Presbyterian Denominations: A Primer
Statement on "micro-churches": You will see many denominations listed here that have three, five, or ten churches. Most of these smaller ones have little difference from all the others. Heck, I think most of the NAPARC churches should united but that's beside the point. I think it's sad that the Reformed community has grown so fragmented that we have these tiny little groups that recognize each other but they're "not good enough". They usually have their reasons, but I don't usually buy it. It's a sad testimony to the spirit of American individualism that this is so rampant. Anyway, here is as complete a list as I can gather for now. Email me (and remove "no spam") if you have other suggestions.
Questionable/erroneous positions are listed in green, while major doctrinal error is in red. (Per my humble opinion.)
| NAPARC Members | |||
| Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) | 338,000 members | 1,639 churches |
This church is broadly
evangelical, conservative, and Reformed. It was formed in 1973 as the
National Presbyterian Church, adopting its current name the next year. It is
now the second-largest Reformed denomination in the Creeds: Westminster Standards (Confession & Larger and Shorter Catechism) (1789) Worship: Mixed (traditional, contemporary, liturgical; Psalms, hymns, praise & worship) Notables: RC Sproul Sr, Harry Reeder, George Grant, Tim Keller, Kenneth Gentry |
| Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) | 28,000 | 312 |
A very conservative Reformed denomination. The OPC came
into being (as the Presbyterian Church of America) in 1938 as a breakaway from the old northern PCUSA, then changed its name later. (Our church home now.)
Creeds: WS (1789) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: J.G. Machen+, G.I. Williamson, D.G. Hart |
| Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) | 35,000 | 250+ |
The Creeds: WS (1905) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: Billy Graham (raised ARP), Vaughn Hathaway, Sinclair Ferguson |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) | 6,000 | 71 |
Another very conservative Reformed Church, a successor
to the Covenanters. Allows female
deacons.
Creeds: WS (1647), RPCNA Testimony Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing Notables: Ray Lanning |
| Korean-American Presbyterian Church (KAPC) | 33,000 | 186 |
A conservative ethnic Korean body.
Creeds: WS Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms (Korean) |
| Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) | 4,113 | 48 |
By most authorities the most conservative of significant
Reformed denominations. The RCUS is a descendant of the German Reformed
Church, most of which is now part of the Creeds: Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dordt) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: Phillip Schaff+, C.W. Powell, Robert Grossmann |
| Reformed Church of Quebec (ERQ) | Unknown | 5 |
Conservative, evangelical Reformed,
ethnic French-Canadian successor to the Huguenots.
Creeds: Westminster Confession, Heidelberg Catechism |
| United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) | Unknown | 96 |
Formed in 1995, the URCNA is a breakaway from the
Christian Reformed Church. This church continues the conservative Continental
Reformed tradition of its predecessor.
Creeds: TFU Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms, some contemporary congregations Notables: Michael Horton, Robert Godfrey, Kim Riddlebarger |
| Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) | 3,000 | 20 |
Conservative denomination, Dutch background, from the
Free Reformed Churches of the Creeds: TFU Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, only uses the KJV in public |
| Heritage Reformed Churches (HRC) | Unknown | 11 |
Very Conservative, ethnic Dutch background, formerly with the Netherlands Reformed Congregations.
Creeds: TFU Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, only uses the KJV in public Notables: Joel Beeke |
| Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CARC) | 15,000 | 55 |
Conservative, mostly Dutch church based in Creeds: TFU Worship: Exclusive Psalmody NAPARC Membership pending |
| Presbyterian Reformed Church (PRC) | Unknown | 7 |
Conservative breakaway from the Canadian PC, but with
congregations in the Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing, only uses the KJV in public NAPARC Membership pending |
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| American Presbyterian Church (APC) | 60 | 3 |
Fundamentalist breakaway from the BPC. While the BPC
allows freedom on millennial views, the APC requires premillennialism. Also
opposed to any use of alcohol as sinful.
Creeds: WS (1939) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing, only uses the KJV in public |
| Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) | 10,000 | 25 |
Moderate fundamentalist breakaway from the OPC (1938). Along with conservative Reformed theology, the majority of the BPC advocates historic
premillennialism, abstention from alcohol, and a strong separatistic
tradition. (Includes churches in South Atlantic Presbytery, part of which has withdrawn to form the BPC, Faith Presbytery.)
Creeds: WS (1938) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: Carl McIntire+ |
| Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) | 85,000 | 225 |
Evangelical breakaway from the United Presbyterian
Church in the Creeds: WS (modern) Worship: Mixed (traditional, contemporary; Psalms, hymns, praise & worship) Notables: Chuck Baynard, Robert Norris, John Wood |
| Hungarian Reformed Church in America (HRCA) | 4,200 | 31 |
Moderately Conservative, ethnic
Hungarian.
Creeds: Heidelberg, 2nd Helvetic Confession Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Netherlands Reformed Congregations (NRC) | 10,000 | 26 |
Very Conservative, ethnic Dutch; is said to have hyper-Calvinistic tendencies.
Creeds: Three Forms of Unity Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, only uses the KJV in public |
| Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches (OCRC) | 1,400 | 5 |
Conservative breakaway from the CRC; (They recently voted to join the United Reformed Churches of North America; not sure how this will formalize)
Creeds: Three Forms of Unity Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin) | Unknown | Unknown | I know they're an ethnic Korean denomination, and are conservative Presbyterian. Nothing else as yet. |
| Other Reformed Denominations | |||
| Alliance of Reformed Churches (ARC) | Unk | 17 | A Christian Reformed Church breakaway. Creeds: TFU |
| Associated Presbyterian Churches (APCS) | Unk | 3 | An ethnic Scottish
split-off from the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Somewhat
ecumenical, but not liberal from what I can see. Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing |
| Bible Presbyterian Church, Faith Presbytery (BPCFP) | Unk | Unk |
A group from BPC's South Atlantic Presbytery that separated from the BPC in 2008, partly
because of BPC relations with the OPC. No official organization as yet,
and some of the churches want to remain in the BPC.
Creeds: WS (1938) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ (CS-UCC) | Unk | 28 | Moderately conservative,
ethnic Hungarian synod of the United Church of Christ. Many members of
the conservative "Faithful and Welcoming" movement are in this body. Creeds: Heidelberg, 2nd Helvetic Confession Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) | 273,000 | 1,021 |
An evangelical continental Reformed denomination,
somewhat conservative but allows ordination of women
and also has a lot of ministers who hold to higher-critical
views of the Bible.
Creeds: TFU (modern), Our World Belongs to God Worship: Mixed (traditional, contemporary; Psalms, hymns, praise & worship) Notables: Anthony Hoekema+, Jerry Dykstra |
| Covenant Presbyterian Church (CoPC) | Unknown | 10 |
A breakaway from the RPCGA. No sunday school or youth
groups, require educated elders, and practice paedocommunion.
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church (CRPC) | Unknown | 3 |
A recent denomination which mostly broke from the PCA.
They are mildly theonomic and
strongly Reformed.
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms, only uses the KJV in public |
| Covenanting Association of Reformed Presbyterian Churches (CARPC) | Unknown | 2 |
A small group that holds to the Westminster Standards
and to the Three Forms of Unity. Can't really see any distinctives other than
this.
Creeds: WS, TFU |
| Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church (ERPC) | Unknown | 6 |
This is a new denomination forming based on perceived
apostasy in the PCA and OPC over the acceptance of the Federal
Vision theology (which was recently rejected at their General Assemblies). Very similar to
those of the PCA/OPC, but are aiming to be much more ground-up in church
government.
Creeds: WS (1789) Notables: Paul Elliott Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Federation of Reformed Churches (FoRC) | Unknown | 7 |
Postmillennial, paedo-communion (weekly)
Creeds: FRC Distinctives |
| Free Church of Scotland (FCS) | Unknown | 5 | An ethnic Scottish denomination, heir of the Covenanters. Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing |
| Free Church of Scotland, Continuing (FCSC) | Unknown | 6 | A split-off from the FCS, with similar beliefs and worship. Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing, only uses KJV |
| Free Presbyterian Church (FPC) | Unknown | 26 |
A very conservative Reformed church affiliated with the larger FPC Northern Ireland, led by Ian Paisley.
This church is fundamentalist/separatist and is very adamantly
anti-Catholic. They practice both paedo-baptism (but only "babes in
arms", not minors) and credo-baptism (anyone older than an infant has
to confess Christ before baptism).
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms, King James Onlyist |
| Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (FPCS) | Unknown | 3 | Another split-off from the FCS, with similar beliefs and worship. Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, a capella singing, only uses KJV |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States (RPCUS) | Unknown | 11 |
A remnant of a breakaway from the PCA (1983), this
church is conservative and avows the Christian Reconstructionism of
Rushdoony, Bahnsen, and others.
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: Joe Morecraft, Wayne Rogers |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA) | Unknown | 10 |
A breakaway from the RPCUS (1990s). Small, mildly
theonomic, opposed to incorporation with the government.
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: Kenneth Talbot, Frank J. Smith |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church [Hanover Presbytery] (RPCH) | 500 | 9 |
Another breakaway from the RPCUS (1990s). Joined recently by the former
American Reformation Presbyterian Church, a PCA breakaway.
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody Notables: Edwin Elliott, Richard Bacon |
| Providence National Presbytery (PNP) | Unknown | 3 |
Distinctive of this church is their belief in paedocommunion.
Creeds: WS Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms |
| Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA) | 6,700 | 31 |
A very conservative breakaway from the CRC (1926) that denies the doctrine of common grace and any love of God for
nonbelievers. (Hoeksemites)
Creeds: TFU Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, only uses the KJV in public |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church, Covenanted (RPCC) | Unknown | Online |
A breakaway from the RPCNA (1840), holds to an extreme
view of Exclusive Psalmody, saying that those who use hymns and don't sing
via lining are idolaters. They do not worship with
anyone who sings hymns or who doesn't line the Psalms, use the Directory for
Publick Worship (1646) or covenant. (Steelites)
Creeds: WS (1647), Solemn League & Covenant |
| Reformed Presbytery of North America, General Meeting (RPNA-GM) | Unknown | 6 |
Very similar to the RPCC, holding to most of the same
views. Their members are very active on the net despite the church's small
size. Claims that to be a Biblically constituted
church you must accept not only the Bible, but also the Westminster Standards,
Solemn League and Covenant, and the Directory of Publick Worship.(Steelites)
Creeds: WS (1647), Solemn League & Covenant Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, KJV Only |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States (WPCUS) | Unknown | 6 |
Another recent Reformed micro-church; by its name obviously very Calvinistic
Creeds: WS (1647) Worship: Exclusive Psalmody, only uses the KJV in public Notables: Brian Hanley, Brian Schwertley |
| Reformed Church in America (RCA) | 271,000 | 931 |
An ecumenical denomination which has a fairly liberal leadership but many of its churches are
solidly evangelical.
Creeds: TFU Worship: Traditional and contemporary, depending on the church Notables: Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller |
| Korean Presbyterian Church in America (KPCA) | 55,000 | 302 | Liberal-ecumenical Korean Denomination. Creeds: WS Worship: Traditional hymns and Psalms (Korean) |
| Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA) | 2,767,000 | 10,903 |
The largest Reformed Denomination in the U.S., has a strongly liberal leadership and is moving toward allowing
homosexual marriage and ordination, but several of its churches are
solidly Biblical and are fighting this. Original PCUSA formed in 1789, this
one in 1983 with the union of Northern and Southern Churches.
Creeds: Book of Confessions (WS, Scots, Heidelberg, 2HC, Barmen Declaration, Confession of 1967, etc.) Worship: Everything from traditional to contemporary to postmodern to pagan worship of Sophia if you know where to look Notables: Jack Rogers, Parker Williamson, Fred "Mister" Rogers, Lloyd Ogilvie |
| Defunct Reformed and Presbyterians Denominations (Approximate figures given for last record available) | |||
| Associate Presbyterian Church (APC) | 650 | 4 |
The Seceder church from old Scotland, led by the Erskines. Strongly Calvinist and Exclusive Psalmody.
Union 1: With Reformed Presbytery to form ARPC (1782) Union 2: With (northern) ARPC to form the UPCNA (1858) Union 3: With RPCNA (1969) |
| Evangelical Presbyterian Church (1961) (EPC) | 6,769 | 169 |
The majority of the BPC which was deserted by the
current BPC in 1956. The BPC (Columbus Synod) became the EPC in 1961.
Notables: J. Oliver Buswell, Francis Schaeffer Union: With RPCGS to form RPCES (1965). |
| Evangelical & Reformed Church (E&R) | 818,000 | 2,727 | Formed by a union of the
liberal majority of the RCUS (minus the current RCUS) with the
semi-Lutheran Evangelical Synod of North America. Used the Heidelberg
Catechism along with Luther's Catechism and the Augsburg confession.
Very neo-orthodox. Notables: Reinhold Niehbur, Richard Niehbur, George Richards Union: With the Congregational Christian Church to form the United Church of Christ (1961) |
| Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) | 815,000 | 4,250 |
This had been the old "Southern" Presbyterian
Church, formed as the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate State in America (PCCSA) in 1861. Was conservative until the 1950s and 1960s, when liberalism took
control. The PCA left the PCUS in 1973.
Notables: James Thornwell, R.L. Dabney, L. Nelson Bell, Ernest Trice Thompson Union: With the UPCUSA to form the PC(USA) in 1983 |
| Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) | 2,775,000 | 8,351 |
This
had been the old "Northern" Presbyterian Church, founded in 1789. It
was a solid Reformed body until the 1920s when it began to openly
tolerate liberalism and modernism, then censured those who opposed them
(e.g. J. Gresham Machen). It joined the UPCNA in 1958.
Notables: Archibald Alexander, Charles Hodge, A.A. Hodge, B.B. Warfield, Charles Erdman Union: United with the UPCNA to form the UPCUSA in 1958. |
| United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) | 2,350,000 | 8,975 |
The Northern Church formed by the union of the original
PCUSA and the UPCNA church in 1958. Carried into liberalism by the old Northern Church.
Union: United with the PCUS to form the PC(USA) in 1983 |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, General Synod (RPCGS) | 2,403 | 21 |
Broke from the RPCNA in 1833 because that church had
forbidden members to vote or hold office, while the RPCGS supported this.
Joined with the (old) Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1965.
Notables: Gordon H. Clark Union: With EPC (1961) to form the RPCES |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES) | 20,000 | 154 |
Formed in 1965 with the union of the EPC (of 1961) with the RPCGS. Broadly evangelical with Reformed streak.
Notables: Gordon H. Clark, Francis Schaeffer Union: With the PCA in 1983. |
|
United
Presbyterian Church in North America (UPCNA) |
258,000 | 839 |
A merger of the Associate and northern Associate
Reformed Churches (1858), this was a conservative Reformed witness until its
union with the northern PCUSA in 1958 and it lost its distinctives.
Notables: John Gerstner Union: United with the PCUSA to form the UPCUSA in 1958. |
| Non-Presbyterian Reformed Denominations | |||
|
Anglican Mission in
America (AMiA)
(Episcopalian) |
Unknown | 52 |
Episcopal breakaway that is endorsed by several
Anglican bishops from other nations. A number of priests in this church are
Reformed in their theology.
Creeds: Thirty-Nine Articles Worship: Traditional and contemporary, depending on the church |
|
Reformed Episcopal Church
(REC)
(Episcopalian) |
13,400 | 137 |
An older Calvinist Episcopalian group, formed in
opposition to Catholic influences in the Episcopal Church in the 19th
century. Has become more high-church and Anglo-Catholic and less Reformed in recent years.
Creeds: Thirty-Nine Articles Worship: Traditional, liturgical |
| Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church (TPEC) (Episcopalian) |
Unknown | 3 | A recent split from the
Episcopal Church or one of its successors. Is strongly confessional,
evangelical, and Reformed. It also holds to an Anglican variety of King-James-Onlyism. Creeds: Thirty-Nine Articles Worship: Traditional, liturgical |
| Traditional Reformed Episcopal Church (TREC) (Episcopalian) |
Unknown | 1 (5 in the UK) | Split from the REC because
of the Anglo-Catholicism growing in the mother body. Associated with
the Free Church of England - Evangelical Connexion. Creeds: Thirty-Five REC Articles Worship: Traditional, liturgical |
|
Every Nation Churches (ENC)
(Charismatic) |
Unknown | Unknown | Reformed Charismatic denomination. As the name suggests, they have congregations across the globe. |
| Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) (Charismatic) |
Unknown | 81 | Another Reformed Charismatic body. This is best known as the home of C.J. Mahaney and courtship-advocate Joshua Harris. |
|
Association of
Reformed Baptist Churches in America (ARBCA)
(Baptist) |
Unknown | 59 |
A Calvinistic Baptist association of churches formed in
the last few years to get a more unified witness among Reformed Baptists
Creed: Baptist Confession of 1689 |
| Federation of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (FIRE) (Baptist) |
Unknown | 69 | Another Calvinistic Baptist association. Creeds: Baptist Confessions of 1644, 1689 Notables: Phil Johnson |
|
The Founders Online
(Baptist) |
NA | NA | Not a denomination, but a Calvinist renewal movement in the historically Reformed Southern Baptist Convention |
|
Confederation of
Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)
(Congregational) |
Unknown |
73
(5 outside NA) |
Composed of Presbyterian, and Reformed Baptist
churches, but more congregational in church order. They allow believers and infant baptism and communion, depending on
what the local church says, Many advocates of the Federal Vision heresy,which denies justification by faith alone, have come here (e.g. Steve Wilkins), but thankfully there are also members who do not follow this movement (e.g., RC Sproul, Jr).
Creeds: Westminster Creed, Evangelical Statment Worship: Highly liturgical, traditional hymns and Psalms Notables: Doug Wilson, Peter Leithart, Wilkins, Sproul Jr. |
|
Conservative
Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC)
(Congregational) |
40,000 | 297 | One of the successors of the old New England Congregationalists, this denomination is officially Reformed but is also tolerant of other views. Several UCC churches which left that apostate group joined this Biblical church. |
|
Evangelical
Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches (EARCCC)
(Congregational) |
Unknown | 7+ | A Reformed and evangelical group with former ties to the United Church of Christ. |
|
United Church of Christ (UCC)
(Congregational) |
1,200,000 | 5,633 |
Reformed in name only. This
merger of old German Reformed, German Evangelical, Congregationalist, and one
Disciples group allows practically any belief by its ministers, including
homosexual ordination and marriage. A sad descendant of several historically
good churches, though there are a few who have "not knelt the
knee to Ba'al."
Creed: UCC Statement of Faith (1961) |
| FAKE Denominations | |||
| First Calvinist Church of the Non-Elect (FCC) | N/A | N/A |
A sick joke and a bad parody of true Calvinism. The "members"
of this church are convinced they're going to hell because they're not elect.
The website is actually run by a bunch of anti-Calvinists who don't want to
be confused with facts. (Maybe I should put up a site on the "First Arminian Church of Controlling Your Own Eternal Destiny.") |