In the midst of World War II a major schism took place in the GKN (cf. no. 5). The split is known as the Vrijmaking (Liberation). It was the outcome of ongoing theological conflicts on common grace, the covenant of grace, presumptive regeneration (Abraham Kuyper), etc., which the Synod of the GKN sought to overcome by the adoption of doctrinal statements. Professor K. Schilder (1890-1952) protested against binding decisions on these issues. The Synod excluded him from the ministry. This decision led to an exodus of many congregations which wanted to be “liberated from synodal power structures.” In 1944 they established the GK(v) at the Hague, emphasizing their loyalty to Art. 31 of the church order which was drawn up by the Synod of Dordrecht (1618/1619). In 1965 the GK(v) experienced its own schism (cf. no. 10). The church runs a university in Kampen. With the establishment of this university, Kampen has two universities (cf. no. 5) which do not cooperate. It also has its own political party, schools, and the like. The church is a member of the ICRC (1982) and cooperates with other members of this organization. It is engaged in missionary work in Indonesia (especially in Sumba, Kalimantan, and Irian Jaya), South Africa, Brazil, DR Congo, and Ukraine.
Statistic data of church
Members
total: 122749
Parishes
(conventionally): 280
house fellowships
(Number of growing parishes): 0
Ordained clergy
total: 0
no women´s ordination
Elders/Presbyters
total: 0
Deacons
total: 0
no information about deacons
Missionaries
total: 0
missionaries working abroad
Baptismal practise
infant and believer´s baptism
Godparents
No information about godparents
Lord's Supper
Frequency per annum: 4
Newspapers/ Periodicals
no information about publication of magazines
Theological training facilities
Number: 1
Schools providing general education
no information about other schools
Founded in
1944
Organizational structures
Classes, provincial Synods, General Synod (every 3 years)
In the midst of World War II a major schism took place in the GKN (cf. no. 5). The split is known as the Vrijmaking (Liberation). It was the outcome of ongoing theological conflicts on common grace, the covenant of grace, presumptive regeneration (Abraham Kuyper), etc., which the Synod of the GKN sought to overcome by the adoption of doctrinal statements. Professor K. Schilder (1890-1952) protested against binding decisions on these issues. The Synod excluded him from the ministry. This decision led to an exodus of many congregations which wanted to be “liberated from synodal power structures.” In 1944 they established the GK(v) at the Hague, emphasizing their loyalty to Art. 31 of the church order which was drawn up by the Synod of Dordrecht (1618/1619). In 1965 the GK(v) experienced its own schism (cf. no. 10). The church runs a university in Kampen. With the establishment of this university, Kampen has two universities (cf. no. 5) which do not cooperate. It also has its own political party, schools, and the like. The church is a member of the ICRC (1982) and cooperates with other members of this organization. It is engaged in missionary work in Indonesia (especially in Sumba, Kalimantan, and Irian Jaya), South Africa, Brazil, DR Congo, and Ukraine.