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WHAT WE BELIEVE
Rooted & Growing in Christ
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Colossians 2:6-7
Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church is a Christ-centered, Bible-believing church in the Reformed tradition. We are a congregation of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA).
We are convicted by our consciences, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, to believe in the Christian faith as summarized in the following ecumenical creeds:
Apostles' Creed
Nicene Creed
Athanasian Creed
In addition, Central Avenue CRC and its members agree with the following Reformed confessions organizing and summarizing the teaching of God's Word:
Belgic Confession
Heidelberg Catechism (with exception made to this version of Q&A 80).
Canons of Dort
If you would like to know more about Jesus Christ and how to have eternal life, either click here or contact one of our pastors. They would be more than happy to talk with you.
In regard to various contemporary issues, the CRCNA has made reports and statements over the years. In general, Central Avenue agrees with these statements. However, where room is given, Central Avenue Church has typically taken the historical biblical position of the church (i.e. complementarianism, homosexuality, Biblical inerrancy, creation, etc.). For more detailed information, please contact the pastors.
WHO WE ARE
Certainly, what we believe defines more of who we are than our history. But looking back does give some perspective and insight into how we grew into what God has made us today.
Our roots extend all the way back before Creation when God, in His eternal decree, chose a people for Himself. As those called by God today, our roots extend through Old Testament Israel and the New Testament church, with the cross of Christ standing as the central and definitive point. The Protestant Reformation also strongly identifies who we are as God blew His Spirit through the church to draw it back to Him and His Word through that time.
As members of the Christian Reformed Church in North America we are one of about 1,000 congregations with a strong history of God's leading and faithfulness. 2007 marked the 150th anniversary of the CRCNA. To learn about our CRC roots, click here.
Central Avenue CRC itself was founded in 1865 as the first Christian Reformed congregation in the city of Holland, Michigan. God has faithfully grown us in many ways since then. Click here for a more complete history of Central Ave.
We have been blessed with wonderful facilities in a beautiful setting - located in downtown Holland, across the street from Centennial Park. The main building, which houses the sanctuary, church offices, fellowship hall and several classrooms, was built between 1952-1953. The sanctuary is graced with many beautiful stained glass windows and a magnificent 33-rank Schantz pipe organ. In addition, the sanctuary is equipped with the hearing loop system. In 2004, the church purchased two buildings directly to its north. One building is leased to an insurance company and the other, called The Connection, is used as a ministry center for a variety of church and community activities. Our sister congregation, the Cambodian Fellowship CRC, worships there as well.
Please check the other sections of this web-site to see what the Lord is doing in and through this body of believers. Other areas of interest may be our city, or our historical marker.
Some Statistics (as August 31, 2008) - although primarily concerned with spiritual growth and maturity, God does encourage the Central Avenue family by bringing new members into our fellowship.
Total Members = 379
Professing Members = 314
Non-Professing Members = 65
Total Families = 105*
September 1, 2008 and beyond:
Births = 4 (none on the way)
Infant Baptisms = 4 (1 anticipated)
Adult Baptims = 0
Professions of Faith = 1
Marriages = 0 (1 couples engaged)
Deaths = 5
New Members = 17 (+10 in process)
Members Leaving = 8 (+7 reversions)
*a family as defined by the CRCNA is husband and a wife, with or without children or a single head of household with children at home.
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