Reformed Church in America

Overview

The Reformed Church in America is the oldest Protestant denomination with continuous ministry in the United States, tracing its origin to the Dutch Reformed congregation established in New Amsterdam in 1628. The RCA formally holds the Three Forms of Unity, but its actual practice has moved steadily toward mainline Protestantism: ordination of women, affirmation of same-sex marriage in a growing portion of the denomination, and sustained membership decline including the 2021–2023 General Synod departures. AskCredo places the RCA in the C-tier: confessionally Reformed on paper but with nominal subscription in practice, and with a trajectory that has departed from historic Reformed teaching on ministerial office and marriage.

Confession / Standard

Three Forms of Unity (nominally)

Governance

presbyterian

Soteriology

mixed

Key Beliefs

• Reformed heritage
• Infant baptism
• Diverse theological positions

Distinctives

• Significant theological liberalism in many congregations
• LGBTQ-affirming congregations present
• Major conservative exodus (2022–2024) toward ECO and other bodies
• Three Forms of Unity subscription is nominal for many

Background

North America · Founded 1628

Official Website

https://rca.org