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. It is my personal view that most of the NAPARC churches should unite, and 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 have their reasons, but oftentimes they are weak. 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.)
Grouping The Churches
I'm expanding some of the information to be listed. The chart now includes more detailed information on the general theological orientation, worship, and Bible versions used.
Worship Type:
T - Traditional |
Services follow a set order, use traditional hymns (and often Psalms as well), accompanied by piano, organ, orchestra, choir, or a combination thereof. |
L - Liturgical |
Follow an extremely fixed order of worship, including set Scripture readings for the year, set forms of prayer and response, and traditional hymns or chants. |
C - Contemporary |
Use praise & worship bands, modern cultural music, multimedia, focusing on stirring the emotions or even entertainment. |
P - Psalmody |
Churches only sing the Psalms of David (in rare circumstances, other songs from Scripture), usually without any instrumental accompaniment. |
M - Mixed |
Churches use any of the above, depending on the congregation, or even blend the various forms. |
Theological Orientation
C - Confessional |
Theologically conservative, sticking generally with the church standards and Reformational doctrine. Calvin, the Three Forms, the Westminster Divines, the Puritans, and any individual church Testimony are given heavy weight. Usually associate only with other Reformed churches. |
M - Mixed |
No real dominant theology; conservative, but depending on the congregation could be more confessional, evangelical, or fundamental. |
E - Evangelical |
Theologically conservative but focusing on basic doctrines that unite the church with the Church Universal around them. Orthodox doctrines of God, the Bible, and Salvation are emphasized to the minimization of Reformed disctinctives, and there is more interaction with non-Reformed groups and churches. |
F - Fundamental |
Similar to Evanglicals in theology, but more focused on personal piety and practice, with an emphasis on separation from anything they consider worldly (e.g., don't generally permit the use of alcohol, tobacco, frown on modern entertainment); more likely to associate with other fundamentalists than with other Reformed bodies. |
L - Liberal |
Theologically liberal, more concerned with social issues and ailments than beliefs about God. Usually open to novel and modernistic views of God, often reject miraculous events as mythical, take higher critical views of the Bible and female ordination as a given, and consider orthodox doctrines as mere "theories" that can be ignored or discarded. |
Standards (Confessions of Faith)
WS |
Westiminster Standards |
The Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger & Shorter Catechisms. May use the original 1647 edition, the Americanized 1789 edition, the fundamental 1938 version, or the more liberal 1903 edition, with minor variations between them. There is a modern-language update of the 1903 edition, dated 1984. |
WS+ |
Westiminster Standards & Subordinates |
Westminster Standards plus the Directory for Public Worship, Form of Government, National Covenant, Solemn League & Covenant |
3FU |
Three Forms of Unity |
Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dordt |
BOC |
Book of Confessions |
Ecumenical Creeds, Scots Confession, Second Helvetic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Standards, Barmen Declaration, Confession of 1967, Brief Statement of Faith (1983) |
T |
Testimony / Statement |
Some denominations have a distinct testimony or confession of faith in addition to one of the above. |
OTH |
Other |
Statements of faith beyond what is listed here, listed in the notes section. |
Bible Translations in Use
KJVE |
KJV Exclusive |
Only the KJV is to be used or promoted for public use and private study. (Geneva is often the exception.) |
KJVS |
KJV Standard |
The KJV used in all services and publications, but personal use of others for comparison is permitted |
*** |
Others Dominant |
Stated translation is predominant in official sources, though others are used in churches and publications |
MIX |
Mixed Use |
No preferred, standard, or dominant translation that I am aware of. |
NAPARC |
North American Presbyterian & Reformed Council |
USA Canada |
Confessional & Evangelical Reformed |
WRF |
World Reformed Fellowship | Worldwide | Confessional & Evangelical Reformed |
| ICRC | International Conference of Reformed Churches | Worldwide | Confessional Reformed |
| WCRC | World Communion of Reformed Churches | Worldwide | Liberal Presbyterian, Reformed, Congregationalist |
| NAE | National Association of Evangelicals | USA | Broad Evangelical |
| ACC | American Council of Christian Churches | USA | Fundamentalist |
| NCC | National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA | USA | Liberal/Ecumenical |
| WCC | World Council of Churches | Worldwide | Liberal/Ecumenical |
Name |
Members |
Churches |
Worship |
Theology |
Standards |
Bible Version |
Notes |
351,406 |
1,771 |
M |
M |
WS 1789 |
MIX |
This church 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 U.S. There is a blend of Reformed practice and modern broad evangelicalism. The author of the site attends a PCA church (and is on the right wing of the membership). Notables: RC Sproul Sr, Harry Reeder, George Grant, Rick Phillips, Tim Keller, Steve Brown Memberships: NAPARC, WRF, NAE |
|
30,555 |
322 |
T |
C |
WS 1789 |
ESV |
A very conservative Reformed denomination. The OPC came into being (as the Presbyterian Church of America) in 1936 as a breakaway from the old northern PCUSA, then changed its name later due to a lawsuit by the parent body. Notables: J.G. Machen+, Greg Bahnsen+, G.I. Williamson, D.G. Hart, John Fesko, Alan Strange, Robert Reymond Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
35,472 |
255 |
T |
C |
WS 1903 |
MIX |
The ARP Church is the oldest Presbyterian denomination in America, being formed in 1782 as a merger of Seceder and Covenanter churches. The Associate Reformed Church is solidly conservative, but does allow female deacons. Notables: Billy Graham (raised ARP), Vaughn Hathaway, Sinclair Ferguson, Jay Adams Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC, WRF |
|
6,818 |
102 |
P |
C |
WS 1647, |
MIX |
Another very conservative Reformed Church, a successor to the Covenanters. Allows female deacons. Notables: Ray Lanning, Frank J. Smith Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
33,000 |
400+ |
T |
C |
WS 1789 |
UNK |
A conservative ethnic Korean body. Memberships: NAPARC |
|
4,000+ |
46 |
T |
C |
3FU |
KJV/ |
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 United Church of Christ. Notables: Phillip Schaff+, C.W. Powell, Robert Grossmann Influence: Hermann Kohlbruegge Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
Unknown |
5 |
M |
C |
OTH |
MIX |
Conservative, evangelical Reformed, ethnic French-Canadian successor to the Huguenots. Creeds: Westminster Confession, Heidelberg Catechism Memberships: NAPARC, WRF |
|
22,500 |
112 |
M |
C |
3FU |
MIX |
Formed in 1995, the URCNA is a breakaway from the Christian Reformed Church. This church continues the conservative Continental Reformed tradition of its predecessor. Notables: Michael Horton, Robert Godfrey, Kim Riddlebarger. R. Scott Clark Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
4,500 |
21 |
P |
C |
3FU |
KJVS |
Conservative denomination, Dutch background, from the Free Reformed Churches of the Netherlands. Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
2,000 |
9 |
P |
C |
3FU |
KJVS |
Very Conservative, ethnic Dutch background, formerly with the Netherlands Reformed Congregations. Notables: Joel Beeke Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
17,000 |
55 |
T |
C |
3FU |
UNK |
Conservative, mostly Dutch church based in Canada and the northern United States. Influences: Klaas Schilder Memberships: NAPARC, ICRC |
|
Unknown |
6 |
P |
C |
WS 1647 |
KJVS |
Breakaway from the Canadian PC, but with congregations in the United States and England as well. Memberships: NAPARC |
|
60 |
2 |
P |
F |
WS 1938 |
KJVS |
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. Memberships: NAPARC (Past Observer) |
|
10,000 |
18 |
T |
F |
WS 1938 |
UNK |
NAPARC Observer 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. Notables: Carl McIntire+ Memberships: NAPARC (Observer), ACCC |
|
140,000 |
507 |
M |
E |
WS 1984 |
MIX |
Evangelical breakaway from the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (1981) The EPC holds to conservative Reformed doctrine, but allows the ordination of women as elders and deacons and also is more tolerant of semi-Arminian and charismatic views than most others. Many PCUSA churches have jumped to them recently. Notables: Chuck Baynard, Robert Norris, John Wood Memberships: NAPARC (Past Observer), WRF, WCRC |
|
6,000 |
34 |
T |
C |
OTH |
UNK |
Moderately Conservative, ethnic Hungarian. Now a part of the Reformed Church of Hungary. Creeds: Heidelberg, 2nd Helvetic Confession Memberships: NAPARC (Past Observer), NCC, WCC |
|
10,080 |
26 |
P |
C |
3FU |
KJVS |
Very Conservative, ethnic Dutch; is said to have hyper-Calvinistic tendencies. Memberships: NAPARC (Past Observer) |
|
Unknown |
Unknown |
T |
C |
WS 1789 |
UNK |
I know they're an ethnic Korean denomination, and are conservative Presbyterian. Nothing else as yet. Memberships: NAPARC (Observer) |
|
7,000 |
31 |
P | C | 3FU | KJVS | A very conservative breakaway from the CRC (1926) that denies the doctrine of common grace and any love of God for nonbelievers (Hoeksemism); also require officers to attend their own Christian schools and forbid homeschooling when one is available. |
|
Unknown |
17 |
T |
C |
3FU |
UNK |
A Christian Reformed Church breakaway, formerly the Alliance of Reformed Churches. |
|
| Association of Ministers of the Reformed Faith (AMRF) | Unknown |
Unknown |
T |
F |
UNK |
UNK |
Apparently Reformed and Fundamentalist. No other information. Memberships: ACCC |
Unk |
25 |
T | C | OTH | UNK | Moderately conservative, ethnic Hungarian synod of the United Church of Christ. Many members of the conservative "Faithful and Welcoming" movement are in this body. Ordain women to the minsitry. Creeds: Heidelberg, 2nd Helvetic Confession Memberships: NCC, WCC, WCRC |
|
252,000 |
1,099 |
M | E | 3FU | NIV | 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. Notables: Anthony Hoekema+, Jerry Dykstra Memberships: NAE, NAPARC (Expelled), WCRC |
|
Unknown |
18 |
T | C | WS 1647 | UNK | A breakaway from the RPCGA. No sunday school or youth groups, require educated elders, and practice paedocommunion. Notables: R.C. Sproul, Jr. |
|
Unknown |
4 |
T | C | WS 1647 | KJVS | A recent denomination which mostly broke from the PCA. They are mildly theonomic and strongly Reformed. |
|
Covenanting Association of Reformed Presbyterian Churches (CARPC) |
Unknown |
3 |
T | C | WS 3FU |
UNK | A small group that holds to the Westminster Standards and to the Three Forms of Unity, cented in California. |
Unknown |
73 |
C | E | WS 1903, |
MIX |
This denomination which seems to have Korean connections, but congregations speak English, Korean, Spanish, and various languages. They seem to be broadly evangelical with some Reformed elements, and a number of multi-site congregations. Creeds: WS (combination of 1789, 1903, PCUS edition), EAPC Statement of Faith Memberships: NAE, World Evangelical Alliance |
|
40,000 |
112 |
M | E | BOC | MIX | This is a new denomination in process of with drawing from the PC(USA). Abandonment of the supremacy of Scripture and Reformed confessions, especially the ordination of homosexuals in the PC(USA) led them to leave. However, they are fully egalitarian and anti-complementarian, and use the entire PC(USA) Book of Confessions, including the neo-Orthodox Barmen Declaration and Confession of 1967. |
|
Unknown |
6 |
T | C | WS 1789 | ESV | Formed due to perceived apostasy in the PCA and OPC over the perceived acceptance of the Federal Vision theology. Very similar to those of the PCA/OPC, but are aiming to be much more ground-up in church government. (The man behind the ERPC left shortly after because he became a Baptist.) |
|
Unknown |
9 |
T | F | WS 1938 | KJVS | A group from BPC's South Atlantic Presbytery that separated from the BPC in 2008, partly because of BPC relations with the OPC. They are Reformed and fundamentalist. |
|
Unknown |
9 |
T | C | OTH | UNK | Postmillennial, paedo-communion (weekly) Creeds: FRC Distinctives, Others chosen by congregation |
|
Unknown |
22 |
T | F | WS 1647 T |
KJVE | A very conservative Reformed church affiliated with the larger FPC of Ulster (below), led by Ian Paisley. This church is fundamentalist/separatist (e.g require abstinence from alcohol) 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). Memberships: ACCC |
|
Unknown |
3 |
P | C | WS 1647 | KJVS | A former confederate of the RPCGA. |
|
| Reformed Congregations of North America (RCNA) | Unknown |
4 |
P | C | 3FU | UNK | Another Dutch Reformed-Pietist denomination, connected with C. Steenblok. No website. |
Unknown |
9 |
T | C | WS 1647 | NASB NKJV |
A remnant of a breakaway from the PCA (1983), this church is conservative and avows the Christian Reconstructionism of Rushdoony, Bahnsen, and others. Notables: Joe Morecraft, Wayne Rogers |
|
Unknown |
10 |
T, P | C | WS 1647 | MIX | A breakaway from the RPCUS (1990s). Small, mildly theonomic, opposed to incorporation with the government. Notables: Kenneth Talbot, Kenneth Gentry |
|
500 |
8 |
T, P | C | WS 1647 | KJVE | Another breakaway from the RPCUS (1990s). Joined recently by the former American Reformation Presbyterian Church, a PCA breakaway. Notables: Edwin Elliott+, Richard Bacon |
|
Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States (WPCUS) |
Unknown |
2 |
P | C | WS 1647 | KJVS | Another Reformed micro-church; by its name obviously very Calvinistic, and also theonomic. Breakaway from the RPCNA and CRPC. Notables: Brian Hanley, Brian Schwertley |
238,493 |
907 |
M | E, L | 3FU | NRSV | An ecumenical denomination combining somewhat broad evangelical congregations and leadership with liberal positions on women's ordination, scriptural inerrancy & evolution, and some leaders who want them to abandon Biblical sexual ethics also. Notables: Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller Memberships: NAE, NCC, WCC, WCRC |
|
78,451 |
740 |
M | L | OTH | NRSV | An Arminian Presbyterian church (only believes in the fifth point of five) formed during the Second Great Awakening. They are long-time practitioners of women's ordination and permit higher-critical views of the Bible. Creeds: Cumberland Confession of Faith (1984) Memberships: NCC, WCC, WCRC |
|
15,000 |
109 |
M | L | OTH | NRSV | Another Arminian and somewhat liberal denomination, associated with the former and with the same beliefs. The CPCA was once known as the Colored CPC, and its membership is still mostly black. Creeds: Cumberland Confession of Faith (1984) Memberships: NCC, WCC, WCRC |
|
1,000 |
12 |
T | F | OTH | KJVE | Arminian conservative breakaway from the CPC. Known for their exclusive use of the KJV and rejection of modernism. Creeds: UCPC Statement of Faith (1963) |
|
Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad (KPCA) |
55,000 |
302 |
T | L | WS | UNK | Liberal-ecumenical Korean Denomination, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Korea. Memberships: NCC, WCC, WCRC |
1,849,496 |
10,262 |
M | L | BOC | NRSV | The largest Reformed Denomination in the U.S., has a strongly liberal leadership and has approved of homosexual marriage and ordination, a few of its churches are solidly Biblical and are fighting this, but most are jumping ship to the EPC, PCA, ECO, or other bodies. Original PCUSA formed in 1789, this one in 1983 with the union of Northern and Southern Churches. You can find 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 John Ogilvie Memberships: NCC, WCC, WCRC |
|
120,000 |
952 |
M | L | OTH | NRSV | From what I can tell, pretty much a carbon copy of the PCUSA in terms of theology and practice. Says that a certain Bible is bad because it "claims there are no contradictions in the Bible" (I.e. Biblical inerrancy is not only not mandated, it is fully rejected by the denomination since they know more than God). Even some churches in the "Great White North" need asbestos suits, apparently... Creeds: Living Faith: A Statement of Christian Belief; Catechism For Today Memberships: WCC, WCRC |
NON-PRESBYTERIAN REFORMED DENOMINATIONS
| Name | Members | Churches | Worship | Theology | Standards | Polity | Notes |
Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) (Formerly Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches) |
Unknown |
88 |
L | C | OTH | CONG/ PRES |
Composed of Presbyterian, and Reformed Baptist churches, presbyteries are advisory rather than hierarchical. They allow believers and infant baptism and communion, depending on what the local church says, Many advocates of the Federal Vision doctrine, which questions justification by faith alone and perseverence of the saints, have come here, though there are said to be some who do not follow this. |
43,000 |
306 |
M | E | OTH | CONG | One of the successors of the old New England Congregationalists, this denomination is officially modern evangelical but has a large Reformed contingent. Several UCC churches which left that apostate group joined this Biblical church. Permit but do not mandate women's ordination. Memberships: NAE |
|
Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches (EARCCC) |
Unknown |
86 |
M | E | OTH | CONG | A Reformed and evangelical group with current and prior ties to the United Church of Christ. |
| Reformed Bible Church (RBC) | Unknown | 3 | P | C | WS 1647, 3FU |
CONG | A distinctly Reformed and theonomic body, governed only by local elders. KJVS, closed communion. |
Unknown |
3 |
T | C | OTH | CONG | Classical Calvinist congregationalists. |
|
National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) |
70,000 |
386 |
M | L | OTH | CONG | Well, I guess they're not as bad as the United Church of Christ (below). Good roots, but a number of churches have embraced strong theological liberalism. Very much a mixed bag of very good churches and not so good. Several UCC churches have joined the NACCC recently, and others are members of both groups. |
| 998,906 | 5,154 | M | L | OTH | CONG | 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) Memberships: NCC, WCC, WCRC |
|
| Evangelical Methodist Church of America (EMCA) | Unknown | Unknown | T | F | OTH | CONG | A body of fundamentalist Whitefieldian (Calvinist) Methodists, who line up more with Whitefield and Spurgeon. (Not to be confused with the EMC - without America - which is Wesleyan). Membership: ACCC |
Unknown |
54 |
L, C | E | OTH | ANG | Episcopal breakaway that is endorsed by several Anglican bishops from other nations. A number of priests in this church are Reformed in their theology. |
|
14,000 |
149 |
L | C | OTH | ANG | 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. As of 2009 is part of the Anglican Church in North America. |
|
Unknown |
5 |
T | C | OTH | ANG | A recent split from the Episcopal Church or one of its successors. Is strongly confessional, evangelical, and Reformed. Thomas Cranmer and King Edward VI would recognize them more than all other Anglican bodies. |
|
Unknown |
1 (5 in the UK) |
L | C | OTH | ANG | Split from the REC because of the Anglo-Catholicism growing in the mother body. Associated with the Free Church of England - Evangelical Connexion. |
|
Unknown |
77 |
T, C | C | OTH | BAP | A Calvinistic Baptist association of churches formed in the last few years to get a more unified witness among Reformed Baptists |
|
Unknown |
85 |
T | C | OTH | BAP | Another Calvinistic Baptist association, with churches outside the US. |
|
NA |
NA |
T | C | OTH | BAP | Not a denomination, but a Calvinist renewal movement in the historically Reformed Southern Baptist Convention |
|
| Primitive Baptist Churches (PB.org) (Primitive Baptist Online) (Primitive Baptist Page) |
75,000 | 1000+ | T | C | OTH | BAP | Aka Hard-Shell Baptists, the Primitive Baptists are an old grouping of Calvinistic Baptist churches concentrated in the Southern US. In addition to Calvinist view of salvation, they sing only acapella hymns, do not have paid clergy, reject any formal schooling of ministers, celebrate closed communion and foot washing, accept only immersion baptisms from Primitive Baptist sources (so no sprinking or Southern Baptist dunking), and are KJV-Only. |
Unknown |
53 |
C | E | OTH | CHA | Reformed Charismatic denomination. As the name suggests, they have more congregations than this across the globe. |
|
Unknown |
81 |
C | E | OTH | CHA | Another Reformed Charismatic body. This is best known as the home of C.J. Mahaney and (formerly) of courtship-advocate Joshua Harris, but has come under scrutiny due to accusations of hiding child molestation among its leaders. |
BRITISH PRESBYTERIAN DENOMINATIONS - Scotland (Presbyterians) and England (Puritans) are the founding countries of the Reformed faith in America for the most part, so I've brought in a chart of their church bodies. Some of them also have congregations in the U.S. and Canada.
| Name | Members | Churches | Worship | Theology | Standards | Bible Version |
Notes |
Unk |
21 |
P | C | WS 1647 | KJVS | An ethnic Scottish split-off from the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland over the issue of Christian liberty. (2 in Canada) |
|
5,400 |
100+ | T | C | WS 1647 | MIX | An ethnic Scottish denomination, which left the Church of Scotland in 1843. (7 in North America) NA Equivalent: PCA or ARP |
|
1,000 |
39 |
P | C | WS 1647 | KJVS | A split-off from the FCS, with similar beliefs and worship (but still retain EP and no instrumental accompaniment). (6 in North America) NA Equivalent: OPC, PRC |
|
1,000 - 2,000 |
41 |
P | C | WS 1647 | KJVE | Another split-off from the FCS, with similar beliefs and worship. Extremely Sabbatarian (to the point of shutting down their website on the Lord's Day), but they have the best print edition of the Westminster Standards to be found. (2 in North America, 13 others outside the UK) NA Equivalent: RPCNA (19th Century) |
|
| Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland (RPCS) | 270 | 6 | P | C | WS 1647 | MIX | The remnant of the old Covenanter church in Scotland. The FCS renunciation of Exclusive Psalmody has grown this small body in recent months. NA Equivalent: RPCNA |
| United Free Church of Scotland (UFCS) | 3,200 | 62 | M | E | OTH | MIX | The United Free Church is the remnant of a body that united with the Church of Scotland (1929). They are broadly evangelical, permit women's ordination, and have ecumenical fellowship with extremely liberal churches. Creed: Brief Statement of the Church's Faith (1921) NA Equivalent: EPC or ECO |
| Church of Scotland (CofS) | 489,000 | 1,200 | M | L | WCF | NRSV REB |
The mainline Presbyterian Church of John Knox has fallen far since its glory days. They are moving toward the ordination of active homosexuals, bless same sex unions, and long ago abandoned the Reformed faith and life. NA Equivalent: PCUSA |
| Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales (EPCEW) | UNK | 16 | T | C | WCF 1647 | MIX | A growing Presbyterian church re-constituted after the union of the United Reformed Church. They are solidly Biblical and comitted to the Westminster Standards and Biblical inerrancy. NA Equivalent: PCA or OPC |
| International Presbyterian Church (IPC) | UNK | 15 | C | E | WCF, TFU | MIX | An evangelical Presbyterian denomination based in Britain but with churches as far away as Korea. They are complemetarian, but seem to have a more "missional" (read: contemporary) view of worship. NA Equivalent: PCA |
| United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom (URCUK) | 90,000 | 1,700 | M | L | OTH | NRSV REB |
This is a union of Presbyterian, Congregational, and Church of Christ bodies. They are very ecumenical and liberal, and talk more about "diversity" and "social justice" than the Christian gospel and Biblical truth. NA Equivalent: PCUSA |
| Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru (Presbyterian Church of Wales) (EBC) | 29,000 | 680 | M | M | OTH | MIX | Mainline Welsh church, also known as the Calvinistic Methodist Church. NA Equivalent: Not Sure; ECO or PCUSA perhaps. |
| Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster (FPCU) | 12,000 | 60 | T | F | WCF 1647 | KJVE | This church is fundamentalist/separatist (e.g require abstinence from alcohol) 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). (See above) |
| Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) | 300,000 | 550 | T | L | OTH | MIX | Standard mainline Presbyterian church - consider homophobia more a problem than homosexual practice. NA Equivalent: PCUSA Creed: Coleraine Declaration |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland (RPCI) | 1,952 | 39 | P | C | WCF 1647 T |
KJVS | Irish Covenanters, whose beliefs line up with the RPC of Scotland and North America. NA Equivalent: RPCNA |
| Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland (NSPCI) | 4,000 | 23 | M | L | NONE | MIX | Unitarian & Pelagian denomination focusing more on social issues and extreme leftist theology, which abandoned the gospel and the Christian faith long ago; they consider reason equal to Scriptural authority, and refuse any additional "test of faith". NA Equivalent: American Unitarian Conference, Unitarian Universalist Association |
| Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ireland (EPCI) | UNK | 9 | T | C | WCF 1647 | MIX | Left the PCI in 1927 due to liberal theology. Require annual re-subscription to the Westminster Standards. NA Equivalent: OPC |
DEFUNCT REFORMED DENOMINATIONS
| Members | Churches | Worship | Theology | Standards | Notes | |
650 |
4 |
P |
C |
WS 1647 |
The Seceder church from old Scotland, led by the Erskines. Strongly Calvinist and Exclusive Psalmody. |
|
6,769 |
169 |
T |
F |
WS 1938 |
The majority of the BPC which was deserted by the current BPC in 1956. The BPC (Columbus Synod) became the EPC in 1961. |
|
818,000 |
2,727 |
T |
L |
OTH |
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. |
|
1,400 |
5 |
T |
C |
3FU |
Conservative breakaway from the CRC. |
|
815,000 |
4,250 |
T |
C, L |
WS 1903 |
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. |
|
2,775,000 |
8,351 |
T |
C, L |
WS 1903 |
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. |
|
Providence National Presbytery (PNP) |
Unknown |
3 |
L |
C |
WS 1647 |
Distinctive of this church is their belief in paedocommunion. |
United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) |
2,350,000 |
8,975 |
T |
L |
BOC |
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. |
Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States and Canada (RPCUSC) |
440 |
1 |
P |
C |
WS 1647, T |
Broke from the RPCGS in 1883 due to a church discipline issue, but rejoined around 1910. |
Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, General Synod (RPCGS) |
2,403 |
21 |
P, T |
C |
WS 1647, T |
Broke from the RPCNA in 1833 because that church had forbidden members to vote or hold office, while the RPCGS supported this. Drifted from Covenanter distinctives and joined with the (old) Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1965. |
20,000 |
154 |
T |
C |
WS 1789 |
Formed in 1965 with the union of the EPC (of 1961) with the RPCGS. Broadly evangelical with Reformed streak. |
|
17 (1906) |
4 (1883) 1 (1906) |
P |
C |
WS 1647, T |
A breakaway from the RPCNA (1840), held to an extreme view of Exclusive Psalmody, saying that those who use hymns and don't sing via lining are idolaters. They refused fellowship, not only with hymn-singers, but even Psalm-singers who didn't line the Psalms, use the Directory for Publick Worship (1646) or covenant. The site today seems to promote the writings of the Covenanters, the Reformers, and David Steele without organizing an actual congregation or church court. |
|
| Reformed Presbytery of North America, General Meeting (RPNA-GM) | 95 | 2 | P | C | WS+ 1647 | Another modern successor to the RPCC (see below), holding to most of the same views. Their members were very active on the net despite the church's small size. Require total doctrinal conformity for fellowship, including the idea that all Biblically constituted churches must accept the Bible, but also the Westminster Standards, Solemn League and Covenant, National Covenant, and the Directory of Publick Worship. The website is active but the church fell apart and no longer exists. Notables: Greg L. Price, Still Waters Revival Books |
258,000 |
839 |
P, T |
C |
WS 1647, T |
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. |
|
14,566 |
135 |
T |
C |
OTH |
Established by the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales, founded by the followers of George Whitefield. Government and theology was Presbyterian. |
Sources, other websites:
1) Adherents.com
2) Melton, J.G. Encyclopedia of American Religions. Detroit: Gale Research Co., 2003.
3) Mead, F. and Hill, S. Handbook of Denominations in the United States. Nashville: Abingdon, 1985 (8th Ed)
4) BJ Mora's site on Reformed Denominations - Another individual Reformed believer and well-done site
5) Grace Alone's site - Brian Hanley's thorough site about Presbyterian Churches; don't miss it!
6) Association of Religion Data Archives - Has taken off where Adherents stopped
If anyone has any further or updated info I can’t find, email me here (rmv NOSPAM). I've tried to correct my errors, but I'm sure I still have some work to do. Help me out, guys!
Last update: 15 February 2014
