Reformed Church of Christ for Nations

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Reformed Church of Christ for the Nations
Orientation Reformed
Theology Calvinist
Polity Presbyterian
Associations World Communion of Reformed Churches and World Council of Churches
Origin1973
Separated from Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria
Congregations132 (2024)
Members100,000 (2024)

The Reformed Church of Christ for Nations (RCCN) is a Reformed Christian denomination based in Nigeria, formed in 1993 by a group of churches that broke away from the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria. [1]

Contents

History

The Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (ICRN) was founded in the 20th century by missionaries from the Sudan United Mission and Christian Reformed Church in North America. [2] [3] [4]

In 1973, a group of churches, mostly made up of members of the Kuteb tribe, broke away from the ICRN and formed the Church of Christ in Nigeria, or Ekklesia Kristi A Nigeria. [1]

In 1993, the synod decided to change the name to Christ Reformed Church in Nigeria to better reflect its national identity and Reformed tradition. [1] [5]

Eventually, the denomination changed its name again to Reformed Church of Christ for the Nations. [5]

Doctrine and organization

The RCCN endorses the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort, and Westminster Confession of Faith. Church governance is structured on three levels: local council, district council and synod, which meets twice a year. [1]

In the 2020s church members were attacked and killed in several Islamic terrorism events. [6] [7]

Statistics

According to data from the World Council of Churches, in 2016 the RCCN was made up of approximately 250,000 members and 64 pastors. [5]

However, in a survey conducted by the Christian Reformed Church in North America, in 2024, the RCCN reported having 100,000 members, in 132 congregations. [8]

Ecumenical affiliations

The RCCN is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches [9] and of the World Council of Churches. [5]

Additionally, the denomination has full communion with the Christian Reformed Church in North America. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Reformed Church of Christ for the Nations". Archived from the original on February 16, 2006. Retrieved February 16, 2006.
  2. ↑ Ibrahim Usmann (2018). "A Brief History of the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria" . Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ J. Lowry Maxwell. "Half A Century of Grace: A Jubilee History of the Sudan United Mission" (PDF). p. 126-125. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria". Reformiert Online. February 27, 2004. Archived from the original on December 25, 2005. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Reformed Church of Christ for Nations". World Council of Churches. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  6. ↑ "The History of Socio-Cultural and Political Violence in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State (1800-2022)". 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Punch Newspapers Gunmen attack Taraba community, group laments incessant killings". July 20, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Minutes of the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America" (PDF). 2024. pp. 90–92. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ "World Communion of Reformed Churches: Members" . Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "Ecumenical Relations of the Christian Reformed Church in North America" . Retrieved April 30, 2025.
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