How do I choose a Reformed Church?

ChicanaRose

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2019
1,250
1,331
west coast
✟75,698.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.
 

HeartenedHeart

Active Member
Apr 2, 2019
257
79
Pacific
Visit site
✟11,327.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.
I chose the church that follows the truth of the Bible - which is the Seventh-day Adventist movement, for that was the one God led me to personally after I asked Him on my knees for the truth - The Search for the True Church | Free Book Library | Amazing Facts

Myers Media
 
  • Informative
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,523
6,403
Midwest
✟79,668.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
If you are not in a large city or perhaps Michigan this may not leave you many options. I suggest researching position statements for each one. I wouldn't want to be in a church that claims to have more truth than all others.

Here's an example of the kind of site I would want to research:
Position Statements
 
  • Like
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,523
6,403
Midwest
✟79,668.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
Upvote 0

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.

Depending on what you value about being reformed, it may not matter. The church groups you've mentioned will have some minor differences. What are you looking for in a reformed church?
 
  • Friendly
Reactions: Ttalkkugjil
Upvote 0

pilgrim1999

Newbie
Apr 10, 2012
37
5
Hammond, LA
Visit site
✟9,497.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
It certainly can be confusing. They don't call Presbyterians "Split-P's" for nothing. And that's not counting the variety of Dutch Reformed denominations and various Calvinistic Baptist groups.

What direction to go depends on if you are looking for something evangelical/conservative or if you are looking for something more liberal or mainline. I haven't been active here in a long time, but I've seen some of your recent posts. Based on that, I would think that you are probably looking for something on the conservative end of the spectrum. It also depends on if you believe in infant baptism or if you are baptistic. (Many Presbyterian churches will allow you to join even if you don't agree with infant baptism, so long as you aren't divisive about it.)

Most of the confessional (i.e. subscribing to the Westminster Confession of Faith or the Three Forms of Unity) Presbyterian and Reformed denominations are part of NAPARC. That site should have links to all of the denominational websites. From there you can search for churches in your area. Some of these denominations would be very conservative when it comes to worship and not associating closely with non-Reformed churches, and others like the PCA are more broadly evangelical in outlook. There can be quite a bit of variation in the PCA especially.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) isn't part of NAPARC because they allow women to be ordained. But they are generally conservative compared to the PCUSA. Some of their congregations have women officers and some don't. They also are more accepting of charismaticism than are other conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches, many of which are strongly cessationist. Many former PCUSA congregations joined the EPC when the PCUSA moved toward acceptance of same-sex marriage.

The Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA) used to be very conservative but it had to leave NAPARC a few decades ago over their choice to ordain women. They have moved "leftward" on some other issues too, if I'm not mistaken. The other large historical Dutch Reformed denomination is the Reformed Church in America (RCA.) It is a mainline church similar to the PCUSA and others. The CRCNA used to be considered much more conservative than the RCA but from what I understand, they are not as far apart on some issues as they used to be.

The main difference between Reformed Baptists and conservative confessional Presbyterians is their views on baptism and church government. Some Reformed Baptists are part of a denomination like the Southern Baptist Convention, some are part of a smaller association, and some are independent.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

ChicanaRose

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2019
1,250
1,331
west coast
✟75,698.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Depending on what you value about being reformed, it may not matter. The church groups you've mentioned will have some minor differences. What are you looking for in a reformed church?

I am not too picky, but one thing is that I don't want the church to conduct same-sex marriage.
 
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,523
6,403
Midwest
✟79,668.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
It certainly can be confusing. They don't call Presbyterians "Split-P's" for nothing. And that's not counting the variety of Dutch Reformed denominations and various Calvinistic Baptist groups.

What direction to go depends on if you are looking for something evangelical/conservative or if you are looking for something more liberal or mainline. I haven't been active here in a long time, but I've seen some of your recent posts. Based on that, I would think that you are probably looking for something on the conservative end of the spectrum. It also depends on if you believe in infant baptism or if you are baptistic. (Many Presbyterian churches will allow you to join even if you don't agree with infant baptism, so long as you aren't divisive about it.)

Most of the confessional (i.e. subscribing to the Westminster Confession of Faith or the Three Forms of Unity) Presbyterian and Reformed denominations are part of NAPARC. That site should have links to all of the denominational websites. From there you can search for churches in your area. Some of these denominations would be very conservative when it comes to worship and not associating closely with non-Reformed churches, and others like the PCA are more broadly evangelical in outlook. There can be quite a bit of variation in the PCA especially.

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) isn't part of NAPARC because they allow women to be ordained. But they are generally conservative compared to the PCUSA. Some of their congregations have women officers and some don't. They also are more accepting of charismaticism than are other conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches, many of which are strongly cessationist. Many former PCUSA congregations joined the EPC when the PCUSA moved toward acceptance of same-sex marriage.

The Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA) used to be very conservative but it had to leave NAPARC a few decades ago over their choice to ordain women. They have moved "leftward" on some other issues too, if I'm not mistaken. The other large historical Dutch Reformed denomination is the Reformed Church in America (RCA.) It is a mainline church similar to the PCUSA and others. The CRCNA used to be considered much more conservative than the RCA but from what I understand, they are not as far apart on some issues as they used to be.

The main difference between Reformed Baptists and conservative confessional Presbyterians is their views on baptism and church government. Some Reformed Baptists are part of a denomination like the Southern Baptist Convention, some are part of a smaller association, and some are independent.

What is liberal about Christian Reformed Church North America?
 
Upvote 0

Rescued One

...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me
Dec 12, 2002
35,523
6,403
Midwest
✟79,668.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Widowed
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
I am not too picky, but one thing is that I don't want the church to conduct same-sex marriage.

This doesn't really narrow things down. Most conservative churches that are not reformed would satisfy you here. What is it about a distinctly reformed church that you're interested in?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Site Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,488
7,347
Dallas
✟885,149.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.

Have you ever looked into the Orthodox Church? They were the very churches established by the apostles that have kept the same teachings since the very beginning.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Site Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,488
7,347
Dallas
✟885,149.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.

Have you read the Bible yet? This is really important before you choose who will be teaching you. The only way to know if what someone is teaching is truth is to go directly to the source. Then you will be able to determine if they are teaching God’s word or not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

JM

Augsburg Catholic
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2004
17,358
3,626
Canada
✟745,852.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.


Visit a bunch of churches in your area and check them out. Ask what they believe about the Bible, worship, evangelism, etc. I would also ask if they have programs for kids, teens, men, woman, etc. If they do I would be cautious. Too many programs often means the church is going to be divided and cliquey.

Yours in the Lord,

jm
 
Upvote 0

Jonaitis

Soli Deo Gloria
Jan 4, 2019
5,212
4,205
Wyoming
✟122,964.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
Hello. I feel that God may be calling me to the Reformed faith.
However, I am confused about the differences between various reformed churches:

Presbyterian
Reformed Baptists
Reformed Churches of America, etc.

Please advise.

The major differences between Presbyterians and Baptists is the form of church government and baptism (and the underlying theology behind it), while Reformed Congregationalist agree with Presbyterians regarding baptism and with Baptists regarding ecclesiastical government.

Confessional Presbyterians beliefs are summarized by the Westminster Confession. Confessional Congregationalist have the Savoy Declaration. Confessional Baptist have the Second London Baptist Confession. Then there are others such as the Dutch Reformed who have the Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort, and Heidelberg Catechism).

I would just take the time to learn a little from each.
 
Upvote 0

Jonaitis

Soli Deo Gloria
Jan 4, 2019
5,212
4,205
Wyoming
✟122,964.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
I am not too picky, but one thing is that I don't want the church to conduct same-sex marriage.

Traditional, biblical marriage is held in Confessional Reformed Churches. This is taken from our church's confession (Second London Baptist of 1689)

Chapter 25 - Marriage

1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.1

1
Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5,6

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,2 for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue,3 and the preventing of uncleanness.4

2 Gen. 2:18
3 Gen. 1:28
4 1 Cor. 7:2,9

3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent;5 yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord;6 and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy.7

5 Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 4:3
6 1 Cor. 7:39
7 Neh. 13:25-27

4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity, forbidden in the Word;8 nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.9

8 Lev. 18
9 Mark 6:18; 1 Cor. 5:1
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

ChicanaRose

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2019
1,250
1,331
west coast
✟75,698.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
This doesn't really narrow things down. Most conservative churches that are not reformed would satisfy you here. What is it about a distinctly reformed church that you're interested in?

I feel that in reading the Scripture, I cannot deny the theme of Limited Atonement. But the verse that struck me the most is Matthew 11:23:

"For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day"

If God knew the positive outcome that could have came from miracles being performed in Sodom, that the city could have been actually spared, why didn't He send Jesus or a prophet there back in the OT days to perform miracles?

This is different from Abraham refusing to send Lazarus back to earth knowing the futile outcome, that the rich man's brothers would not believe anyway (Luke 16:31).
 
Upvote 0

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Site Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,488
7,347
Dallas
✟885,149.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I feel that in reading the Scripture, I cannot deny the theme of Limited Atonement. But the verse that struck me the most is Matthew 11:23:

"For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day"

If God knew the positive outcome that could have came from miracles being performed in Sodom, that the city could have been actually spared, why didn't He send Jesus or a prophet there back in the OT days to perform miracles?

This is different from Abraham refusing to send Lazarus back to earth knowing the futile outcome, that the rich man's brothers would not believe anyway (Luke 16:31).

Personally I see John 3:17 saying Jesus was sent so that the world may be saved. Not only a chosen elect group. I believe our decisions decide our fate and I believe verse 18 supports that idea.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: ChicanaRose
Upvote 0

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
I feel that in reading the Scripture, I cannot deny the theme of Limited Atonement. But the verse that struck me the most is Matthew 11:23:

"For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day"

If God knew the positive outcome that could have came from miracles being performed in Sodom, that the city could have been actually spared, why didn't He send Jesus or a prophet there back in the OT days to perform miracles?

This is different from Abraham refusing to send Lazarus back to earth knowing the futile outcome, that the rich man's brothers would not believe anyway (Luke 16:31).

So if you're valuing Calvinist soteriology and you want a denomination that doesn't ordain homosexuals then you could be happy in any conservative or moderate presbyterian setting (PCA, CRC, ECO, EPC) and also any reformed baptist setting.
 
Upvote 0

ChicanaRose

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2019
1,250
1,331
west coast
✟75,698.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Personally I see John 3:17 saying Jesus was sent so that the world may be saved. Not only a chosen elect group. I believe our decisions decide our fate and I believe verse 18 supports that idea.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

rnmomof7

Legend
Feb 9, 2002
14,465
733
Western NY
✟78,744.00
Faith
Calvinist
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Libertarian
I am not too picky, but one thing is that I don't want the church to conduct same-sex marriage.

You may not have much of a choice ... it depends on where you live. Some "non denominational" churches hold a reformed position.

In my particular area ( a mid sized city) there are no reformed baptist churches.. there is a Bible presbyterian and 1 PCA ..thats it..

If you live in an area where here are several.. visit them, maybe go to a bible study ... listen to the sermons on line ...

Churches have a "personality". Some use modern music for worship, some are Psalms only .. some use the regulative principals of worship, some are more free flowing ..
 
Upvote 0