DECLARATION OF THE REFORMED CHURCH
OF NORTHWEST GERMANY

Since the beginning of the emigration to North America, in the lower County of Bentheim had its roots in the dispute within the Reformed Church, we cannot neglect to include this chapter. Reading this declaration, we cannot help but think about the motto of our own American Bi-centennial in 1976, "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Second' Chronicles 7:14. 

It was 150 years ago when members of one body drifted apart. It is our prayer and wish that in the years to come many churches might be reconciled, many families may be united who are separated by the ocean but are serving the same Lord. If this book could help to overcome differences and clarify obstacles, the years of research and the difficult task of writing, translating and documenting would be worth it. 

An English translation of the unanimous declaration of the Synod of the Evangelic Reformed Church of Northwestern Germany, of June 14, 1988 follows. 

The Evangelic Old Reformed Church in Lower Saxony celebrates this year her 150th year of existence. We the members of the council of the Evangelic Reformed State Church of Northwestern Germany rejoice with the sisters and brothers of the Old Reformed Church about their church anniversary, and we wish them from our hearts God's richest blessings. Joined with this we would like to acknowledge the respect the Old Reformed Church has shown towards the Reformed Theology and their tradition. Their esteem for the Reformed Doctrines (especially the Heidelberg Catechism), their faithfulness in preaching the whole gospel, and the structure of their church life, reflects the confessions. 

The Reformed Church cannot think about the forming of the Old Reformed Church without remembering their own guilt. The protest of many church members from the county of Bentheim was not acknowledged. The reproach of many elders did not find an open and penitent reception. Instead, we excommunicated the critics from our churches, and oppose the groups which in earnest sought to be Christians in a Bible oriented Reformed Church. This way it came to the separation and departing of the Old Reformed from the Reformed, and a further division of the body of Christ. 

Out of this perception we declare that the critics 150 years ago in many ways had reason to be critical. In the Reformed Church, scripture was often interpreted in a capricious manner, and the Church Order was often violated. The Reformed confessions were not upheld, and Psalm singing and other important elements of the Reformed traditions were neglected.

We would like to say to our Old Reformed sisters and brothers: 

1.  We regret that the voices of reminding and warning by truly confessional church members were silenced or ignored; that in the separate congregations, not with persistence, a brotherly discussion was sought.

2.  We regret that for years a common ground was not sought over the open Bible against the services, meetings, preachers, and leaders of the Old Reformed Church.

3.  We regret that our Old Reformed sisters and brothers for decades were hindered to build their own sanctuaries; that the use of church owned buildings and cemeteries was made difficult, and that the registrations in the church ledgers were offensive and emba"assing.

4.  We regret that our Old Reformed sisters and brothers for decades were called "Separatists" and Sectarians" by Reformed Christians and clergyman universal and as individuals; that similar, abusive, degrading, and humiliating language was used.

5.  We regret that the Reformed Christians for many years were not able to comprehend that the Old Reformed Church has grown out of the same traditions as the Reformed Church.

Courtesy Rev. G.J. Beuker and the Archives of the Old Reformed Church in Lower Saxony.