The Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia (DRCN; af, Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Namibië) is a

Christian denomination A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worsh ...

in Namibia. It is one of ten

synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word ''wikt:synod, synod'' comes from the meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin ...

s of the

Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK) The Dutch Reformed Church (, abbreviated NGK) is a Reformed Christian denomination in South Africa. It also has a presence in neighbouring countries, such as Namibia, Eswatini, and parts of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

, and the only one outside South Africa. It covers all of Namibia except for the Eastern Caprivi Strip. The Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa began mission work in Namaqualand in the 1880s, and the first congregation in German South West Africa was established in 1898. The DRCN became an autonomous entity in 1957, when it held its first synod. Otjiwarongo Church 2013

The DRCN has 44 congregations, 22500 members (including children) and 60 pastors. The moderator is Schalk Pienaar, and the general secretary is Clem Marais. The DRCN has been a full member of the

Council of Churches in Namibia The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) is an ecumenical organisation in Namibia. Its member churches together represent 1.5 million people, 90% of the population of Namibia. It is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Afric ...

since 2000. As a synod of the NGK, the DRCN adheres to the Ecumenical creeds (the Apostles' Creed the

Nicene Creed The original Nicene Creed (; grc-gre, Σύμβολον τῆς Νικαίας; la, Symbolum Nicaenum) was first adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325. In 381, it was amended at the First Council of Constantinople. The amended form is a ...

, and the

Athanasian Creed The Athanasian Creed, also called the Pseudo-Athanasian Creed and sometimes known as ''Quicunque Vult'' (or ''Quicumque Vult''), which is both its Latin name and its opening words, meaning "Whosoever wishes", is a Christian statement of belief ...

) and the Three Forms of Unity (the

Belgic Confession The ''Confession of Faith'', popularly known as the Belgic Confession, is a doctrinal standard document to which many of the Reformed churches subscribe. The Confession forms part of the Three Forms of Unity of the Reformed Church, which are still ...

, the

Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism (1563), one of the Three Forms of Unity, is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Calvinist Christian doctrine. It was published in 1563 in Heidelberg, ...

, and the Canons of Dort). The General Synod of the NGK stipulates things such as Bible translations, liturgical forms and hymnals. In 2015, the NGK voted to recognise same-sex unions. This decision did not extend to the DRCN, since Namibia does not recognise same-sex relationships. The General Synod also resolved to ordain LGBT clergy, and to remove the requirement for them to be

celibate Celibacy (from Latin ''caelibatus'') is the state of voluntarily being unmarried, sexually abstinent, or both, usually for religious reasons. It is often in association with the role of a religious official or devotee. In its narrow sense, th ...

. The DRCN continues to hold to the celibacy requirement, and has stated that they "undertake to admit theological candidates who have a same-gender sexual orientation and who live celibate to the ministry."

References

External links

* {{Official website, http://www.ngkn.com.na/ 1957 establishments in South West Africa Calvinist denominations established in the 20th century Protestantism in Namibia Reformed denominations in Africa Christian organizations established in 1957