# North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council

The North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) is an association of several Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the United States and Canada. The Council meets annually.
It lists biblical inerrancy as its basis, along with the Six Forms of Unity: the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Belgic Confession, the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dordt.
The purpose of NAPARC is to "facilitate cross-denominational conversation and co-operation."

## History and basis

Christian denominations in the English-speaking world :
International associationsInterdenominational associations
World Council of Churches
World Evangelical Alliance
Denominational associations
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Mennonite World Conference
Anglican Communion
Baptist World Alliance
World Convention of Churches of Christ
Eastern Orthodox Church
Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference
International Lutheran Council
Lutheran World Federation
World Methodist Council
Pentecostal World Conference
International Conference of Reformed Churches
Reformed Ecumenical Council
World Communion of Reformed Churches
World Reformed Fellowship
Regional associations
Africa
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)
Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA)
All Africa Baptist Fellowship
Africa Lutheran Communion
Asia
Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)
Evangelical Fellowship of Asia
Asia Pacific Baptist Federation
Asia Lutheran Communion
Caribbean
Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC)
Evangelical Association of the Caribbean
Caribbean Baptist Fellowship
Europe
Conference of European Churches (CEC)
European Evangelical Alliance
European Baptist Federation
Pentecostal European Fellowship
Middle East
Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
Latin America
Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI)
Latin American Evangelical Fellowship (FIDE)
Union of Baptists in Latin America
North America
North American Baptist Fellowship
Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America
North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
Pacific
Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC)
Evangelical Fellowship of the South Pacific (EFSP)
Asia Pacific Baptist Federation :
AustraliaChristian denominations in Australia
Australian interchurch
Australian Evangelical Alliance  • website
National Council of Churches
Catholic
Catholic Church in Australia
Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
Holiness and Pietist
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Christian Outreach Centre
Church of the Nazarene
Salvation Army
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Historical Protestantism
Australian Friends
Australian Baptist Ministries
Open Brethren
Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
Churches of Christ
Fellowship of Congregational Churches
Lutheran Church of Australia
Presbyterian Church of Australia
Uniting Church in Australia
Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia
Eastern Christian
Antiochian Orthodox of Australia and New Z.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Serbian Orthodox of Australia and New Z.
Non-Chalcedonic
Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia
Pentecostal and related
Australian Christian Churches (AOG)
Christian City Church Intl.
CRC Churches International
Revival Centres International
Vineyard Churches Australia
Worldwide Church of God
Other
LDS Church
vte :
CanadaChristian denominations in Canada
Canadian interchurch
Canadian Council of Churches
Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America
North Am. Presbyterian and Reformed Council
Anabaptist & Friends
Canadian Mennonite Brethren Churches
Canadian Yearly Meeting (Quakers)
Mennonite Church Canada
Baptist & Stone-Campbell
Association of Regular Baptist Churches
Baptist General Conference of Canada
Canadian Baptist Ministries
Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists
Fellowship of Evgcl. Baptist Churches, Canada
North American Baptist Conference
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Evangelical Christian Church in Canada
Anglican & Catholic
Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church in North America
Polish National Catholic Church
Catholic Church in Canada
Ukrainian Catholic, Winnipeg
Holiness & Pietist
Christian and Missionary Alliance, Canada
Church of the Nazarene
Evangelical Free Church of Canada
Baptist General Conference of Canada
The Salvation Army
Wesleyan Church
Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Lutheran Church–Canada
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Methodist
British Methodist Episcopal Church
Free Methodist Church in Canada
United Church of Canada
Eastern & Oriental Orthodox
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, N.Am.
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto
Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Canada
Orthodox Church in America
American-Canadian Macedonian Orthodox Diocese
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
Armenian Apostolic Diocese of Am.
Coptic Orthodox Church in Canada
Pentecostal
Apostolic Church of Pentecost
Canadian Assemblies of God
Church of God of Prophecy
Intl. Foursquare Gospel, Canada
Intl. Pentecostal Holiness Church
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Pentecostal Church of God
United Pentecostal Church Intl.
Presbyterian & Reformed
Canadian and American Reformed Churches
Christian Reformed Church in North America
L'Église réformée du Québec
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Presbyterian Church in America
Reformed Church in America
United Church of Canada
Other
Evangelical Orthodox Church
Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
Plymouth Brethren
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
LDS Church
Vineyard Canada
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada
vte :
IrelandChristian denominations in Ireland
Church of Ireland (Anglican)
Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland
Catholic Church in Ireland
Christian Churches Ireland
Elim Pentecostal Church
Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Irish interchurch
Irish Council of Churches
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Evangelical Alliance, UK
vte :
New ZealandChristian denominations in New Zealand
New Zealand interchurch
National Council of Churches
Māori Council of Churches
Catholic
Catholic Church in New Zealand
Anglican
Anglican Church of New Zealand
Holiness and Pietist
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Church of the Nazarene
Salvation Army
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Historical Protestantism
Baptist Union of New Zealand
Open Brethren
Fellowship of Congregational Churches
Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand
Methodist Church of New Zealand
New Zealand Friends
Presbyterian Church of New Zealand
Wesleyan Methodist Church in New Zealand
Eastern Christian
Antiochian Orthodox of Australia and New Zealand
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand
Macedonian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand
Serbian Orthodox of Australia and New Zealand
Non-Chalcedonic
Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand
Pentecostal and related
Assemblies of God
CRC Churches International
Revival Centres International
Vineyard Churches New Zealand
Worldwide Church of God
Other
LDS Church
vte :
NigeriaChristian denominations in Nigeria
Nigerian interchurch
Christian Association of Nigeria
Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria
African initiated
Cherubim and Seraphim Society
Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim
Church of God Mission International
Church of the Lord (Aladura)
Anglican
The African Church
Church of Nigeria
Anabaptist
Church of the Brethren in Nigeria
Baptist
Mambila Baptist Convention of Nigeria
Nigerian Baptist Convention
Catholic
Catholic Church in Nigeria
Holiness and Methodist
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nigeria
United Methodist Church of Nigeria
Lutheran
Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria
Lutheran Church of Nigeria
Pentecostal
The Apostolic Church Nigeria
Christ Apostolic Church
Deeper Christian Life Ministry
General Council of the Assemblies of God Nigeria
Gospel Faith Mission
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement
New Apostolic Church in Nigeria
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Winners' Chapel
Presbyterian and Reformed
Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria
Church of Christ in Nigeria
Church of Christ in the Sudan Among the Tiv
Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ
N.K.S.T
Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria
Other Protestant
Churches of Christ in Nigeria
Evangelical Church of West Africa
QIC-United Evangelical Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria
Word of Faith Ministries
vte :
Papua New GuineaChristian denominations in Papua New Guinea vte
Papua New Guinean interchurch
Papua New Guinea Council of Churches
Anglican
Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea
Catholic
Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea
Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG
Gutnius Lutheran Church
Methodist and PresbyterianUnited Church
Others
Baptists
Evangelical Alliance
Iglesia ni Cristo
Jehovah's Witnesses
Members Church of God International
Pentecostalism
Salvation Army
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship
vte :
South AfricaChristian denominations in South Africa
South African interchurch
South African Council of Churches
Catholic
Catholic Church in South Africa
Anglican
Anglican Church
Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church
Holiness and AIC
Die Heilsleër
Zion Christian Church
Pentecostal
Apostolic Faith Mission
[Assemblies of God]
Protestantism, Other
Baptist Union
Evangelical Lutheran Church
LDS Church
Methodist Church
Reformed
Dutch Reformed: NGK
Dutch Reformed: NHK
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church of Africa
Reformed Church in Africa
Reformed Churches: GKSA
United Congregational Church
Uniting Presbyterian Church
Uniting Reformed Church
vte :
United KingdomChristian denominations in the United Kingdom vte
British interchurch
Affinity (formerly British Evangelical Council)
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Evangelical Alliance
Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
Churches Together in England
Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales)
Evangelical Movement of Wales
Anglican
Church of England
Church of Ireland
Scottish Episcopal Church
Church in Wales
Baptist
Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland
Baptist Union of Great Britain
Baptist Union of Scotland
Baptist Union of Wales
Catholic
Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
Catholic Church in England and Wales
Catholic Church in Ireland
Catholic Church in Scotland
Lutheran
Lutheran Church in Great Britain
Methodist and Holiness
Methodist Church of Great Britain
Methodist Church in Ireland
Free Methodist Church
Church of the Nazarene
Salvation Army
New Church Movement
Newfrontiers
Orthodox
Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain
British Orthodox Church
Pentecostal
Assemblies of God
Church of God in Christ
Elim Pentecostal Church
Presbyterian and Reformed
Asso. Presbyterian Churches
Church of Scotland
Congregational Federation
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Presbyterian Church of Wales
United Free Church of Scotland
United Reformed Church
Other
Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
LDS Church in England
Quakers
Seventh-day Adventist Church
vte :
United StatesChristian denominations in the United States
American interchurch
National Association of Evangelicals
National Council of Churches
Churches Uniting in Christ
Anabaptist
Church of the Brethren
Mennonite Church USA
Amish
Anglican
Anglican Church in North America
Episcopal Church
Baptist
Alliance of Baptists
American Baptist Association
American Baptist Churches
Baptist Bible Fellowship International
Baptist Missionary Association of America
Conservative Baptist Association of America
Converge
General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
National Association of Free Will Baptists
National Primitive Baptist Convention of the U.S.A.
North American Baptist Conference
Southern Baptist Convention
Holiness Baptist Churches
Independent Baptist Churches
African-American Baptist
National Baptist Convention of America
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
National Missionary Baptist Convention of America
Progressive National Baptist Convention
Catholic
Catholic Church in the United States
Eastern ChristianEastern Orthodox
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Orthodox Church in America
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Serbian Orthodox Church in USA
American-Canadian Macedonian Orthodox Diocese
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Oriental Orthodox
Armenian Apostolic Church in USA
Coptic Orthodox Church in USA
Syriac Orthodox Church
Orthodox Tewahedo (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church)
Eastern Protestant
P'ent'ay
Evangelical Orthodox Church
Assyrian Evangelical Church
Assyrian Pentecostal Church
Mar Thoma Syrian Church
Armenian Evangelical Church
Eastern Catholic
Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
North American Lutheran Church
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Methodist and Holiness
African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)
Church of the Nazarene
Free Methodist Church
Global Methodist Church
The Salvation Army
United Methodist Church
Wesleyan Church
PentecostalHoliness Pentecostal
Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Church of God in Christ
Church of God of Prophecy
International Pentecostal Holiness Church
Finished Work Pentecostal
Assemblies of God
Church on the Rock International
Full Gospel Fellowship
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Pentecostal Church of God
Oneness Pentecostal
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
United Pentecostal Church Intl.
Presbyterian and Reformed
Christian Reformed Church in North America
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Korean Presbyterian Church in America
International Council of Community Churches
National Association of Congregational Christian Churches
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church in America
Reformed Church in America
United Church of Christ
Radical Pietist
Evangelical Covenant Church
Evangelical Free Church of America
Converge
Stone-Campbell
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian churches and churches of Christ
Churches of Christ
International Churches of Christ
Other
LDS Church
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Community of Christ
Grace Gospel Fellowship
IFCA International
Jehovah's Witnesses
Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
Plymouth Brethren
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship
Vineyard USA
vte :
vte :
The first NAPARC meeting was held in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in the fall of 1975, and had the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA), the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod as its founding members. In time, NAPARC would grow to include 13 Continental Reformed and Presbyterian denominations.
In 1997, the membership of the Christian Reformed Church was suspended, largely on the basis of its 1995 decision to open the offices of elder and minister of word and sacrament to women. Later, in 2001, the denomination was excluded from the organization.
Since 1999, several proposals to transform the NAPARC into a synod that would unify the member denominations have been discussed.
In 2011, the 37th meeting discussed the differences between the organization's member denominations, seeking unity. Discussion of a possible merger between the denominations was encouraged. This was called the Reformed Ecclesiastical Dialogue (RED). However, this project received criticism for giving too much freedom to groups integrated into this possible denomination.
In 2012, another debate about unity among the denominations occurred. Again the plan was criticized by some leaders, but encouraged by others. It has been proposed that the union of churches is ideal, but it may be that the current churches are not yet prepared for it.
In 2019, the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church again questioned the merger of the denominations, arguing that the purpose of NAPARC should be to move toward merger.

## Purpose and function

The Constitution of NAPARC states that the Basis of the Council is "Confessing Jesus Christ as only Savior and Sovereign Lord over all of life, we affirm the basis of the fellowship of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches to be full commitment to the Bible in its entirety as the Word of God written, without error in all its parts and to its teaching as set forth in the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dordt, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms. That the adopted basis of fellowship be regarded as warrant for the establishment of a formal relationship of the nature of a council, that is, a fellowship that enables the constituent churches to advise, counsel, and cooperate in various matters with one another and hold out before each other the desirability and need for organic union of churches that are of like faith and practice."
The objectives of the organization are:
* Facilitate discussion and consultation between member bodies on those issues and problems which divide them as well as on those which they face in common and by the sharing of insights "communicate advantages to one another" (Institutes IV, 2,1).
* Promote the appointment of joint committees to study matters of common interest and concern.
* Exercise mutual concern in the perpetuation, retention, and propagation of the Reformed faith.
* Promote co-operation wherever possible and feasible on the local and denominational level in such areas as missions, relief efforts, Christian schools, and church education.

## Possible member mergers

In 1977, the Presbyterian Church in America absorbed the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, one of the founding members of the NAPARC. Since then, the NAPARC routinely debate on new proposals for the unification of denominations.
In 2008, United Reformed Churches in North America absorbed Orthodox Christian Reformed Churches in North America.

### Canadian and American Reformed Churches and United Reformed Churches in North America

The Canadian and American Reformed Churches and the United Reformed Churches in North America have been in dialogue about a possible merger since the 2010s. In 2016, the two denominations held simultaneous synods, in the same location.

### Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was formed by the union of two Presbyterian groups, which included most of the members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, in 1803.
After the establishment of the NAPARC, the two denominations established a relationship. In 2015 and 2019, the two denominations held simultaneous synods in the same location and some members questioned the possibility of a future merger.

### Free Reformed Churches of North America and Heritage Reformed Congregations

The Free Reformed Churches of North America and Heritage Reformed Congregations have operated a seminary together since 1995 and are in dialogue about a possible merger. In 2017, they held simultaneous synods, in the same location.

### Presbyterian Church in America and Orthodox Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian Church in America and Orthodox Presbyterian Church attempted, in 1956 and in 1972, denominational merger. However, in each of the attempts, the merger was not approved by the necessary quorum in the respective assemblies of one of the denominations.

## Member denominations

| Denomination | Number of congregations | Number of members | Refs |
| Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church | 260 | 25,692 | (2022) |
| Canadian and American Reformed Churches | 76 | 19,866 | (2022) |
| L'Église réformée du Québec (ERQ) ("Reformed Church of Quebec" (RCQ) in English) | 5 | 400 | (2018) |
| Free Reformed Churches of North America | 23 | 5,420 | (2022) |
| Heritage Reformed Congregations | 10 | 2,186 | (2022) |
| Korean American Presbyterian Church | 650 | 80,000 | (2023) |
| Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin) | 135 | 10,300 | (2015) |
| Orthodox Presbyterian Church | 332 | 33,520 | (2023) |
| Presbyterian Church in America | 1,934 | 393,528 | (2023) |
| Presbyterian Reformed Church | 7 | 226 | 2018 |
| Reformed Church in the United States | 47 | 3,340 | (2022) |
| Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America | 107 | 7,581 | (2021) |
| United Reformed Churches in North America | 130 | 25,296 | (2021) |
| Total | 3,712 | 607,655 | (2020-2023) |

## Observer denominations

| Denomination | Number of congregations | Number of Members |
| Protestant Reformed Churches in America | 33 | 8,716 |
| Bible Presbyterian Church | 27 | 3,528 |