Claes Jacob Heijndericksz
Puritan Board Freshman
A little over a year ago, Sam Jer opened a discussion about Dutch theology and history. Since then, and especially in the last few months, there have been some new developments.
Merger of DGK and GKN
In October 2024, two offshoots of the former GKV (Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland - vrijgemaakt)—namely the DGK (De Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland - hersteld) and the GKN (Gereformeerde Kerken Nederland)—merged to form a new denomination: the GK (Gereformeerde Kerken). This newly unified body consists of approximately 31 churches and 3,500 members.
Developments in the NGK
The NGK (Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerken), which resulted from the 2023 merger of the GKV and the NGK (Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerken), concluded its most recent synod earlier this year. As previously noted in last year’s discussion, the GKV permitted female ordination in all church offices in 2017. Rather than repenting, the denomination has continued down this path of turning away from the Lord. This year, it formally abandoned church discipline for members in homosexual relationships and also allows them to serve in all offices. While such practices may have been happening in local congregations for years, this decision officially codifies the shift.
Ongoing Tensions in the CGK
The CGK (Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken), a denomination historically divided between a pietist wing and a liberal wing closely aligned with the NGK, reached an impasse at its synod last month. Despite multiple synods rejecting female ordination, some congregations—several with ties to the NGK—have been ordaining female deacons and elders. In February this year even the first woman has been called into the office of minister in the CKG/NGK congregation of Alkmaar. As neither faction wants to provoke a church split, they are struggling to find a path forward. The synod ended without a resolution, leaving the denomination in a state of uncertainty.
Merger of DGK and GKN
In October 2024, two offshoots of the former GKV (Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland - vrijgemaakt)—namely the DGK (De Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland - hersteld) and the GKN (Gereformeerde Kerken Nederland)—merged to form a new denomination: the GK (Gereformeerde Kerken). This newly unified body consists of approximately 31 churches and 3,500 members.
Developments in the NGK
The NGK (Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerken), which resulted from the 2023 merger of the GKV and the NGK (Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerken), concluded its most recent synod earlier this year. As previously noted in last year’s discussion, the GKV permitted female ordination in all church offices in 2017. Rather than repenting, the denomination has continued down this path of turning away from the Lord. This year, it formally abandoned church discipline for members in homosexual relationships and also allows them to serve in all offices. While such practices may have been happening in local congregations for years, this decision officially codifies the shift.
Ongoing Tensions in the CGK
The CGK (Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken), a denomination historically divided between a pietist wing and a liberal wing closely aligned with the NGK, reached an impasse at its synod last month. Despite multiple synods rejecting female ordination, some congregations—several with ties to the NGK—have been ordaining female deacons and elders. In February this year even the first woman has been called into the office of minister in the CKG/NGK congregation of Alkmaar. As neither faction wants to provoke a church split, they are struggling to find a path forward. The synod ended without a resolution, leaving the denomination in a state of uncertainty.
