World Communion of Reformed Churches International Christian organization
The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC ) is the largest association of Reformed (Calvinist ) churches in the world. It has 230 member denominations (227 members and 3 associate or affiliate members)[ n 1] in 108 countries, together claiming an estimated 86 million people,[ 1] thus being the third-largest Christian communion in the world after the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church .[ 2] This ecumenical Christian body was formed in June 2010 by the union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).[ 3]
Among the biggest denominations in the WCRC are the Church of South India , Presbyterian Church of East Africa , Presbyterian Church of Korea , Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus , Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar , Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches , Protestant Church in Indonesia , Presbyterian Church (USA) , Evangelical Church of Cameroon ,and the Protestant Church in the Netherlands . Its member denominations on the whole could be considered more liberal than the member denominations of the International Conference of Reformed Churches or the World Reformed Fellowship , which are also large ecumenical Calvinist organizations.
History
The WCRC traces its origins to 1875, with several unifying Reformed organizations emerging in London , England .
After a two-day meeting ending on 1 February 2006, Douwe Visser, president of the Reformed Ecumenical Council , and Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches , said in a joint letter to their constituencies, "We rejoice in the work of the Holy Spirit which we believe has led us to recommend that the time has come to bring together the work of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council into one body that will strengthen the unity and witness of Calvinist Christians."
After first calling the potential body "World Reformed Communion", this was modified into "World Communion of Reformed Churches".
A Uniting General Council of the WCRC, bringing the organization into existence, took place from 18–26 June 2010 at Calvin College , located at Grand Rapids, Michigan , United States . The council focused on the "Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace" mentioned in Ephesians as its main theme, setting a tone of true mutual understanding and acceptance amongst member churches and associates, laying aside differences and other issues as they embark on this shared journey with one another as each seeks to discern the will of God and continue their struggle for justice and peace in the world. The World Communion of Reformed Churches has not taken a position on the issue of homosexuality but includes denominations that affirm same sex marriage.[ 4]
Work
The 2010 Uniting General Council stated that the WCRC should be "called to communion and committed to justice." Its two main program offices are thus focused on these aspects, with theological work included with communion. The Theology and Communion office serves as coordinator for official dialogues with other religious organizations, organizes a bi-annual Global Institute of Theology, and brings Calvinist theological scholars together for various discussions. The Justice office promotes economic, ecological and human rights, basing much of its work on the Accra Confession , a statement adopted at the 2004 General Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and re-endorsed at the 2010 Uniting General Council.
The WCRC also has a General Secretariat which includes the general secretary's office, the communications office and other organizational responsibilities. Through the General Secretariat, the WCRC promotes dialogue between churches, advocates for causes on a global scale and supports the activities of its member churches.
The global headquarters of the WCRC are located in Hanover, Germany, with a North American non-profit subsidiary based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Originally based in Geneva, Switzerland, which played host to John Calvin and earned a reputation as the "Protestant Rome", the group's Executive Committee announced on 8 November 2012, that they would relocate the headquarters to Hanover, Germany, by December 2013, due to overbearing financial strains caused by the high value of the Swiss franc.[ 5]
Organization positions
Ordination of women
In 2017, WCRC published the Declaration of Faith Concerning Women's Ordination, in which it supports the practice of women's ordination and encourages its 42 member denominations that do not ordain women to change their position.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico and National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France protested against the declaration, while the Presbyterian Church of Chile abstained.[ 9]
Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
In the same year, WCRC became the 5th signatory of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification , after the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (of the Roman Catholic Church ), Lutheran World Federation , World Methodist Council and Anglican Communion .[ 10]
Same-sex marriage
The WCRC has no official position on human sexuality. However, many of its member denominations promote same-sex marriage or bless same-sex unions , such as the Remonstrant Church , Spanish Evangelical Church , United Church of Canada , Uniting Church in Australia , Uniting Church in Sweden , United Church of Christ , United Church of Christ in the Philippines , Evangelical Church of the River Plate , Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren , Protestant Church in the Netherlands , United Protestant Church in Belgium , United Protestant Church of France , Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine , Protestant Reformed Church of Luxembourg , Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK) , Reformed Church in Austria , Reformed Church in America , Swiss Reformed Church , Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa , Reformed Alliance , Church of Lippe , Evangelical Reformed Church in Germany , United Reformed Church , Presbyterian Church in Canada , Presbyterian Church (USA) , Church of Scotland , Presbyterian Church of Wales , Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa , Waldensian Evangelical Church and Waldensian Evangelical Church of the River Plate .[ 9]
Leadership and General Council
General Councils
Presidents
WCRC presidents are ordinarily elected for a term of seven years at every General Council:
General Secretaries
WCRC general secretaries are elected for seven years at every General Council (held septennially):
Setri Nyomi's term was a continuation of his term as general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches . Upon the conclusion of Chris Ferguson 's term as general secretary in August 2021, the WCRC Executive Committee appointed a "Collegial General Secretariat" originally composed of the three executive secretaries: Hanns Lessing (Secretary of Communion and Witness, Evangelical Church of Westphalia ), Philip Vinod Peacock (Secretary of Justice and Witness, Church of North India ), and Phil Tanis (Secretary of Communications and Operations, Reformed Church in America ).[ 13] They were joined in the Collegium by Muna Nassar (Secretary of Mission and Advocacy) in December 2022.[ 14] In 2023, Setri Nyomi was installed as interim general secretary, to serve until the 2025 General Council.[ 15]
Member churches
Red countries are home to at least one member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
As of December 2024, the World Communion of Reformed Churches has 227 members and 3 associate or affiliate members:[ 16] [ 17] [ n 1]
Country
denominational subfamily
Denomination
Number of congregations
Number of members
Year
Algeria
Continental reformed
Algerian Reformed Church
-
-
-
American Samoa
Congregational
Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa
113
20,000
2006
Angola
Congregational
Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola
2,800
950,000
2010[ 18]
Angola
Continental reformed
Evangelical Reformed Church of Angola
452
200,000
2006[ 19]
Argentina
Congregational
Evangelical Congregational Church (Argentina)
120
6,000
2021[ 20]
Argentina
United Churches (Continental Reformed and Lutheran)
Evangelical Church of the River Plate
45
25,000
2023[ 21]
Argentina
Continental reformed
Reformed Churches in Argentina
11
2,500
2017[ 22]
Australia
Congregational
Congregational Federation of Australia and New Zealand
31
2,985
2004[ 23]
Australia
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Methodists)
Uniting Church in Australia
2,500
243,000
2018[ 24]
Austria
Continental reformed
Evangelical Church of the Helvetic Confession in Austria (Evangelische Kirche HB (Reformiert) in Österreich )
9
11,155
2023[ 25]
Bangladesh
United Churches (Presbyterians and Anglicans)
Church of Bangladesh
32
15,622
2014[ 26]
Bangladesh
Presbyterians
Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bangladesh
-
-
-
Belgium
United Churches (Continental Reformed and Lutheran)
United Protestant Church in Belgium
103
3,401
2014[ 27]
Bolivia
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Bolivia
12
1,500
2004 [ 28]
Botswana
Continental reformed
Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana
20
10,000
2016[ 29]
Brazil
Continental reformed
Evangelical Reformed Churches in Brazil
13
2,937
2015[ 30]
Brazil
Presbyterians
Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil
553
96,396
2019[ 31]
Brazil
Presbyterians
United Presbyterian Church of Brazil
44
2,450
2020
Bulgaria
Congregational
Union of Evangelical Congregational Churches in Bulgaria
34
5,000
2006[ 32]
Burkina Faso
Continental reformed
Association of Evangelical Reformed Churches of Burkina Faso
22
40,000
2006[ 33]
Cameroon
Presbyterians
African Protestant Church
32
10,000
2006[ 34]
Cameroon
Continental reformed
Evangelical Church of Cameroon
700
2,000,000
2006[ 35]
Cameroon
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Cameroon
1,540
2,000,000
2006[ 36]
Cameroon
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Cameroon
1,364
1,800,000
2006[ 37]
Canada
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Canada
1,337
79,961
2019[ 38]
Canada
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Methodists)
United Church of Canada
2,451
325,315
2023[ 39]
Central African Republic
Continental reformed
Protestant Church of Christ the King
2
700
2004[ 40]
Chile
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Chile
12
1,000
2006[ 41]
China (People's Republic of China)
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists and Methodists)
Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China
55
28,361
2006[ 42]
Colombia
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Colombia (Presbyterian Synod)
45
12,000
2006[ 43]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
United Churches
Evangelical Community in the Congo
87
83,746
2006[ 44]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Community in Congo
926
2,500,000
2006[ 45]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Community in Africa
496
28,000
2004[ 46]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Community of Eastern Kasai
104
27,210
2004[ 47]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa
186
67,436
2006[ 48]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Continental reformed
Protestant Community in Katanga (Protestant Community of Shaba )
28
18,000
2004[ 49]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Presbyterians
Reformed Community of Presbyterians
21
11,194
2006[ 50]
Congo (Republic of Congo)
Continental reformed
Evangelical Church of Congo
118
150,000
2016[ 51]
Costa Rica
Presbyterians
Costa Rican Presbyterian Evangelical Church
24
1,325
2013[ 52]
Croatia
Continental reformed
Reformed Christian Church in Croatia
21
3,378
2006[ 53]
Cuba
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church in Cuba
59
15,000
2006[ 54]
Cuba
Moravians
Moravian Church in Cuba
-
600
1997
Czechia
United Churches (Continental Reformed and Lutheran
Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren )
242
58,410
2022[ 55]
Denmark
Continental reformed
Reformed Synod of Denmark
4
1,000
2004[ 56]
Dominican Republic
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic
-
15,000
2022[ 57]
Dominican Republic
United Churches (Presbyterians and Methodists)
Dominican Evangelical Church
101
5,000
2022[ 58]
Egypt
Presbyterians
Evangelical Church of Egypt (Synod of the Nile)
314
14,000
2006[ 60]
El Salvador
Continental reformed
Reformed Calvinist Church of El Salvador
5
3,212
2004[ 61]
Eswatini
Continental reformed
Swaziland Reformed Church
4
1,600
2016[ 62]
Ethiopia
United Churches (Presbyterians and Lutherans)
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus
-
12,000,000
2023[ 21]
France
Continental reformed
Malagasy Protestant Church in France
39
8,000
2006[ 63]
France
United Churches (Continental Reformed and Lutheran)
Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine
240
220,000
2023[ 21]
France
United Churches (Continental Reformed and Lutheran)
United Protestant Church of France
1,000
250,000
2019[ 64]
French Polynesia
Congregational
Maohi Protestant Church
96
130,000
2006[ 65]
Germany
Continental reformed
Reformed Alliance
320
1,500,000
2022[ 66]
Ghana
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana
787
200,000
2006[ 69]
Ghana
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Ghana
4,889
1,015,174
2019[ 70]
Greece
Presbyterians
Greek Evangelical Church
30
6,000
2016
Grenada
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Grenada
3
876
2004[ 71]
Guatemala
Presbyterians
National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala
155
25,000
2004[ 72]
Guyana
Congregational
Guyana Congregational Union
40
2,452
2006[ 73]
Guyana
Presbyterians
Guyana Presbyterian Church
44
2,500
2006[ 74]
Guyana
Presbyterians
Guyana Presbyterian Church
25
5,600
2006[ 75]
Equatorial Guinea
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Equatorial Guinea
29
8,230
2006[ 76]
Honduras
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church of Honduras
75
5,000
2011[ 77]
Hungary
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Hungary
1,230
943,982
2022[ 78]
India
United Churches (Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists and Disciples of Christ)
Church of North India
4,000
1,250,000
2018[ 79] [ 80]
India
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Continental Reformed, Anglicans and Methodists)
Church of South India
10,114
2,800,000
2014[ 81]
India
Congregational
Congregational Church of India (Maraland)
23
5,500
2006[ 82]
India
Congregational
Evangelical Church of Maraland
74
30,327
2006[ 83]
India
Congregational
Association of Evangelical Churches (India)
200
35,000
2017[ 84]
India
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of India
4,054
1,578,119
2024[ 85]
India
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church, North East India
105
11,376
2021[ 86]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Central Sulawesi Christian Church
625
501,750
2022[ 87] [ 88]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Christian Church in South Sulawesi
41
6,555
2004[ 89]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Christian Church of Southern Sumatra
62
39,900
2004[ 90]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Christian Churches of Java
218
211,279
2004[ 91]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Christian Church of Sumba
72
173,000
2004[ 92]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Sangihe Talaud Evangelical Church
255
220,000
2004[ 93]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Toraja Mamasa Church
353
80,000
2004[ 94]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
East Java Christian Church
118
153,000
2004[ 95]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera
328
150,000
2004[ 96]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Evangelical Church in Kalimantan
785
219,145
2004[ 97]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Evangelical Christian Church in West Papua
1,869
650,000
2004[ 98]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Evangelical Christian Church In Bolaang Mongondow
176
86,200
2004[ 99]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Indonesian Christian Church
231
263,688
2020[ 100] [ 101]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Karo Batak Protestant Church
913
317,060
2019[ 102]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Pasundan Christian Church
45
30,000
2004[ 103]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Protestant Christian Church in Bali
50
6,871
2004[ 104]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Protestant Church in Southeast Sulawesi
64
30,000
2006[ 105]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Toraja Church
452
350,000
2006[ 106]
Indonesia
Continental reformed
Protestant Church in Indonesia
3,622
4,107,783
2006
Iran
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Iran
14
9,000
2018[ 114]
Ireland
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Ireland
500
200,000
2020[ 115]
Israel
Presbyterians
Baraka Bible Presbyterian Church
2
50
2004[ 116]
Italy
Waldenses
Waldensian Evangelical Church
177
21,657
2017
Jamaica
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Disciples of Christ)
United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
204
60,000
2006[ 117]
Japan
Churches of Christ
Church of Christ in Japan
137
13,102
2006[ 118]
Japan
Presbyterians
Korean Christian Church in Japan
100
7,160
2006[ 119]
Kenya
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of East Africa
3,200
4,000,000
2010[ 120] [ 121]
Kenya
Continental reformed
Reformed Church of East Africa
600
50,000
2021[ 122]
Kiribati
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Anglicans)
Kiribati Uniting Church
136
25,216
20202020[ 123]
Latvia
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Latvia
3
40
2006[ 124]
Lebanon
Presbyterians
Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
25
9,500
2006[ 125]
Lebanon
Presbyterians
National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon
36
8,000
2006[ 126]
Lebanon
Presbyterians
National Evangelical Union of Lebanon
9
2,000
2006[ 127]
Lesotho
Continental reformed
Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa
109
800,000
2020[ 128]
Liberia
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Liberia
15
1,083
2006[ 129]
Lithuania
Continental reformed
Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania
14
7,000
2008[ 130]
Luxembourg
Continental reformed
Protestant Reformed Church of Luxembourg
4
3,500
2006[ 131]
Madagascar
Continental reformed
Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar
5,795
3,500,000
2004[ 132]
Malawi
Presbyterians
800
2,498,969
2018[ 133]
Malaysia
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Malaysia
100
7,000
2004[ 134]
Marshall Islands
Congregational
Reformed Congregational Churches
9
4,000
2004[ 135]
Marshall Islands
Congregational
United Church of Christ – Congregational in the Marshall Islands
32
37,130
2021[ 136]
Mauritius
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Mauritius
5
501
2011[ 137]
Mexico
Presbyterians
National Presbyterian Church in Mexico
6,000
2,800,000
2010[ 138]
Mexico
Presbyterians
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Mexico
63
2,365
2004[ 139]
Mexico
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Mexico
102
26,000
2004[ 140]
Mexico
Presbyterians
Mexican Communion of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches
-
-
-
Morocco
Continental reformed
Evangelical Church in Morocco
9
2,500
2016[ 141]
Mozambique
Presbyterians
Evangelical Church of Christ in Mozambique
500
40,000
2004[ 142]
Mozambique
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Mozambique
350
100,000
2004[ 143]
Mozambique
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Mozambique
75
80,000
2019[ 144]
Mozambique
Congregational
United Church of Christ in Mozambique
22
15,000
2011[ 145]
Myanmar
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church in Myanmar
50
5,000
2004[ 146]
Myanmar
Presbyterians
Independent Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
182
4,932
2004[ 147]
Myanmar
Congregational
Mara Evangelical Church
96
17,170
2006[ 148]
Myanmar
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
245
33,000
2001[ 149]
Myanmar
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church in Myanmar
35
2,500
2021
Myanmar
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Myanmar
33
5,000
2004[ 150]
Netherlands
United Churches (Continental Reformed and Lutheran)
Protestant Church in the Netherlands
-
1,430,000
2024[ 151]
Netherlands
Arminians
Remonstrant Brotherhood
44
5,050
2015
Netherlands
Congregational
Covenant of Free Evangelical Congregations in the Netherlands
40
7,000
2004[ 152]
New Caledonia
Continental reformed
Protestant Church of Kanaky New Caledonia
-
70,000
2006[ 153]
New Zealand
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
434
29,000
2006[ 154]
Niger
Continental reformed
Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger
-
12,000
2019[ 155]
Nigeria
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria
62
120,000
2004[ 156]
Nigeria
Continental reformed
Universal Reformed Christian Church (Church of Christ in the Sudan Among the Tiv )
-
1,000,000
2023[ 157]
Nigeria
Continental reformed
Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ
267
1,500,000
2004[ 158]
Nigeria
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
2,000
3,806,690
2013[ 159]
Nigeria
Continental reformed
Church of Christ in Nations
64
250,000
2006[ 160]
Nigeria
Continental reformed
United Church of Christ in Nigeria
81
66,000
2004[ 161]
Niue
Congregational
Congregational Christian Church of Niue
16
1,190
2006[ 162]
Pakistan
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Pakistan
220
300,000
2006[ 163]
Pakistan
United Churches (Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and Anglicans)
Church of Pakistan
400
500,000
2014[ 164]
Philippines
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines
37
4,575
2004[ 165]
Philippines
United Churches (Presbyterians, Baptists, Disciples of Christ and Methodists)
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
2,564
470,792
2020[ 166] [ 27]
Philippines
United Churches (Presbyterians and Methodists)
United Evangelical Church of Christ in the Philippines
72
30,000
2004[ 167]
Poland
Continental reformed
Polish Reformed Church
13
3,200
2020[ 168]
Portugal
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Portugal
21
3,000
2006[ 169]
Romania
Continental Reformed
Reformed Church in Romania
1,352
495,380
2021[ 170]
Rwanda
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Rwanda
73
120,000
2004[ 171]
Samoa
Congregational
Congregational Christian Church of Samoa
325
70,000
2006[ 172]
Senegal
Continental reformed
Protestant Church in Senegal
5
1,000
2015[ 173]
Serbia
Continental reformed
Reformed Christian Church in Serbia and Montenegro
15
17,000
2004.[ 174]
Singapore
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Singapore
37
21,000
2020[ 175]
Slovakia
Continental reformed
Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia
304
85,271
2021[ 176]
Slovenia
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Slovenia
4
400
2004[ 177]
Solomon Islands
United Churches (Presbyterians and Methodists)
United Church in the Solomon Islands
191
50,000
2006[ 178]
South Africa
Continental reformed
Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK)
1,158
1,074,765
2013[ 179]
South Africa
Continental reformed
Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NHK)
303
114,112
2013
South Africa
Continental reformed
Dutch Reformed Church in Africa
-
-
-
South Africa
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa
42
48,000
2006[ 180]
South Africa
Continental reformed
Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ
68
23,950
2004[ 181]
South Africa
United Churches
Peoples Church of Africa
220
21,216
2004[ 182]
South Africa
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Africa
242
3,381,000
2006[ 183]
South Africa
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Africa (South Africa)
12
2,386
1996[ 184]
South Africa
Continental reformed
Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa
783
900,000
2019[ 185]
South Africa
Presbyterians
Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
473
80,000
2000[ 186]
South Africa
Congregational
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
450
500,000
2013[ 187]
South Korea
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Korea (TongHap)
9,473
2,207,982
2023[ 188]
South Korea
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Korea (BaekSeok)
7,373
2,000,037
2023[ 189]
South Korea
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
1,637
193,221
2023[ 190]
South Sudan
Continental reformed
Africa Inland Church Sudan
340
125,000
2006[ 191]
South Sudan
Continental reformed
Sudanese Reformed Churches
34
6,000
2023[ 192]
Spain
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Waldensians, Methodists and Lutherans)
Spanish Evangelical Church
40
3,000
2014[ 27]
Sri Lanka
Continental reformed
Dutch Reformed Church in Sri Lanka
41
3,000
2014[ 193] [ 194]
Sri Lanka
Presbyterians
Presbytery of Lanka
3
500
2004[ 195]
Sweden
United Churches (Baptists, PT and Methodist)
Uniting Church in Sweden
640
58,569
2021[ 196]
Switzerland
Continental reformed
Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches
-
1,920,000
2019[ 197]
Sudan
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Sudan
500
1,000,000
2006[ 198]
Taiwan
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
1,205
238,372
2009[ 199]
Thailand
United Churches (Presbyterians, Lutherans and Baptists)
Church of Christ in Thailand
550
130,000
2006[ 200]
Togo
Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Togo
581
180,000
2006[ 201]
Trinidad and Tobago
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago
108
40,000
2004[ 202]
Tuvalu
Congregational
Tuvalu Christian Church
18
9,682
2012[ 203]
Uganda
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church of East Africa
-
100,000
2019[ 204]
Uganda
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church in Uganda
12
5,000
2004[ 205]
Uganda
Presbyterians
Reformed Presbyterian Church in Africa (Uganda)
-
-
-
Ukraine
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Sub-Carpathia/ Reformed Church in Transcarpathia
108
70,000
2015[ 206]
United Kingdom
Presbyterians
Church of Scotland
1,264
283,600
2021[ 207]
United Kingdom
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Wales
600
20,000
2020[ 208]
United Kingdom
Congregational
Union of Welsh Independents
390
20,000
2006[ 209]
United Kingdom
Presbyterians
United Free Church of Scotland
47
1,839
2023[ 210]
United Kingdom
United Churches (Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Disciples of Christ)
United Reformed Church
1,383
46,481
2018[ 211]
United States of America
Continental reformed
Christian Reformed Church in North America
1,000
189,753
2024[ 212]
United States of America
Arminians
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
679
71,204
2022[ 213]
United States of America
Arminians
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America
111
14,473
2020[ 214]
United States of America
Presbyterians
ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
400
127,000
2022[ 215] [ 216]
United States of America
Continental reformed`
Hungarian Reformed Church in America
27
6,080
2006[ 217]
United States of America
Presbyterians
Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad
302
55,000
2003[ 218]
United States of America
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church (USA)
8,572
1,094,733
2023[ 219]
United States of America
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in America
692
87,925
2023[ 220]
United States of America
United Churches (Continental Reformed, Congregational and Lutheran)
United Church of Christ
4,603
712,296
2023[ 221]
Uruguay
Waldenses
Waldensian Evangelical Church of the River Plate
23
13,685
2004[ 222]
Vanuatu
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu
-
65,000
2018[ 223]
Venezuela
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Venezuela
17
800
2018[ 224]
Vietnam
Presbyterians
Presbyterian Church of Vietnam
-
17,000
2015[ 225]
Zambia
Presbyterians
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian – Synod of Zambia
83
75,000
2018
Zambia
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Zambia
154
500,000
2004[ 226]
Zambia
United Churches (Presbyterians and Methodists)
United Church of Zambia
1,060
3,000,000
2006[ 227]
Zimbabwe
Continental reformed
Reformed Church in Zimbabwe
49
100,000
2006[ 228]
Zimbabwe
Presbyterians
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian – Harare Synod
28
8,574
2018
Global
Total
World Communion of Reformed Churches (full members only)
131,437
86,376,544
2004-2024
China (People's Republic of China)
United Churches
China Christian Council (associate member)
60,000
38,000,000
2018[ 229]
Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Baptists
Baptist Community of the Faithful in Africa (affiliate member)
-
-
-
Global
Disciples of Christ
Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (associate member)
8,492
1,069,791
2022[ n 4] [ 230]
Global
Total
World Communion of Reformed Churches (including associate and affiliate members)
199,929
125,446,335
2004-2024
Member Profile
Considering only full members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, 40.15% of individual members are Presbyterians . The Continental Reformed Churches represent 29.92% of members and the United and uniting churches are 27.60%.
Among the united churches is the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus . It is a denomination of Lutheran theology, with a synod of Reformed tradition.[ 231] [ 232] [ 233] This is the largest denomination members of communion. Alone, it represents 13.89% of members. The others united churches account for 13.71% of the members.
Among the smallest groups within the communion are Congregationalism , which represents 2.16% of members. The Waldenses are 0.04% of the members of the communion.
Arminians have historically not been considered part of the Reformed Tradition.[ 234] However, Arminian denominations represent 0.11% of individual members of the WCRC.
Other groups, such as Moravians and Churches of Christ together they represent about 0.02% of individual members.
The Arab Evangelical Church of São Paulo was previously members of WCRC.[ 235] However, after 2015, the denomination joined the Brazilian Baptist Convention and left the WCRC.
Due to the WCRC's increasingly liberal stance, theologically conservative denominations left tit in the 2020s.
On June 22, 2023, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church approved a resolution by which it withdrew from the WCRC and reaffirmed that it would base its global relations with other Reformed churches on the more conservative World Reformed Fellowship .[ 17]
In February 2024, the Presbyterian Church of Chile also passed a resolution to withdraw from the WCRC.
In June 2024, the National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France also withdrew from the organization.[ 236]
See also
References
Notes
^ a b The list of the World Communion of Reformed Churches lists the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania twice, both in Lithuania and in the United States. Furthermore, Arab Evangelical Church of São Paulo , Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States) , Presbyterian Church of Chile and National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France , who have already left the organization, which is why the CMIR list reports 232 denomination Full members and 3 associate and affiliated members.
^ a b c member of the Reformed Alliance , which is already a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Therefore, the number of churches and members of this denomination are not included in the total sum.
^ a b c d e f g h member of the Protestant Church in Indonesia , which is already a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Therefore, the number of churches and members of this denomination are not included in the total sum
^ excluding numbers from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, Church of North India, United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and United Reformed Church, which are already members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
External links