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World Communion of Reformed Churches

International Christian organization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

World Communion of Reformed Churches
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The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) is a Christian ecumenical body formed in June 2010 by the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).[3]

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The WCRC is the largest association of Reformed (Calvinist) churches in the world. It has 230 member denominations (227 full members and 3 associate or affiliate members)[n 1] in 108 countries.[4]

Together, the full member denominations claim about 100 million members.[1][4][5][6] Associated and affiliated denominations, the largest of which are the China Christian Council and Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council, represent another 40 million people.[7][8][9]

The WCRC is the largest[10][11][12][13][14] or second largest Protestant communion in the world.[n 2][15][16]For this reason, it is the third or fourth largest[n 2] Christian communion in the world, in the world after the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and, possibly, the Anglican Communion.[n 2][17]

Among the biggest denominations in the WCRC are the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, Church of South India, Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Presbyterian Church of Cameroon, United Church of Zambia, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Protestant Church in Indonesia, Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Presbyterian Church of Africa, National Presbyterian Church in Mexico, Presbyterian Community in Congo and Evangelical Church of Cameroon.

Its member denominations on the whole could be considered more liberal than the member denominations of the International Conference of Reformed Churches or the World Reformed Fellowship, which are also large ecumenical Calvinist organizations. The WCRC differs from other global Reformed communities in its liberal stance on homosexuality[n 3][18][19], abortion[n 4][18][19], women's ordination[18], and ecumenism.[1][20]

In 2025, the Public Witness Report, approved by the General Council of the WCRC, highlighted the organization's goals: combating the exclusion of LGBT people from the life and leadership of its member churches and encouraging pastoral practices that hold sacred the abortion rights of women.[19] Decision 2 of the same Council listed combating homophobia, racism, Christian Zionism, caste systems, colonialism, and discrimination against women, as well as promoting climate justice, as objectives of the WCRC.[20]

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History

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Background

Reformed Faith emerged in Europe in the 16th century. From then on, it spread through migration and missions throughout the world. Since the 19th century, Reformed Christians began to organize structures that would allow for communion and the witness of unity among Reformed people around the world.

The WCRC traces its origins to 1875, with several unifying Reformed organizations emerging in London, England.

In 1875, the Alliance of the Reformed Churches throughout the World holding the Presbyterian System (ARCWPS) was organized in London. At the same time, in 1891, the International Congregational Council (ICC) was formed, which brought together churches of the Reformed Tradition that adopted the congregational system of government.

In 1946, a more conservative group of Reformed churches organized the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).

In 1970, the ARCWPS and ICC merged to form the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC).[21][22]

Formation

In the 21st century, the WARC and the REC have grown increasingly closer, with a growing number of churches participating in both organizations simultaneously.

After a two-day meeting ending on 1 February 2006, Douwe Visser, president of the Reformed Ecumenical Council, and Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, said in a joint letter to their constituencies, "We rejoice in the work of the Holy Spirit which we believe has led us to recommend that the time has come to bring together the work of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council into one body that will strengthen the unity and witness of Calvinist Christians."

After first calling the potential body "World Reformed Communion", this was modified into "World Communion of Reformed Churches".

A Uniting General Council of the WCRC, bringing the organization into existence, took place from 18–26 June 2010 at Calvin College, located at Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The council focused on the "Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace" mentioned in Ephesians as its main theme, setting a tone of true mutual understanding and acceptance amongst member churches and associates, laying aside differences and other issues as they embark on this shared journey with one another as each seeks to discern the will of God and continue their struggle for justice and peace in the world. The World Communion of Reformed Churches has not taken a position on the issue of homosexuality but includes denominations that affirm same-sex marriage.[23]

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Work

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The 2010 Uniting General Council stated that the WCRC should be "called to communion and committed to justice." Its two main program offices are thus focused on these aspects, with theological work included with communion. The Theology and Communion office serves as coordinator for official dialogues with other religious organizations, organizes a bi-annual Global Institute of Theology, and brings Calvinist theological scholars together for various discussions. The Justice office promotes economic, ecological and human rights, basing much of its work on the Accra Confession, a statement adopted at the 2004 General Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and re-endorsed at the 2010 Uniting General Council.

The WCRC also has a General Secretariat which includes the general secretary's office, the communications office and other organizational responsibilities. Through the General Secretariat, the WCRC promotes dialogue between churches, advocates for causes on a global scale and supports the activities of its member churches.

The global headquarters of the WCRC are located in Hanover, Germany, with a North American non-profit subsidiary based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Originally based in Geneva, Switzerland, which played host to John Calvin and earned a reputation as the "Protestant Rome", the group's Executive Committee announced on 8 November 2012, that they would relocate the headquarters to Hanover, Germany, by December 2013, due to overbearing financial strains caused by the high value of the Swiss franc.[24]

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Organization positions

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Ordination of women

In 2017, WCRC published the Declaration of Faith Concerning Women's Ordination, in which it supports the practice of women's ordination and encourages its 42 member denominations that do not ordain women to change their position.[25][26][27] The National Presbyterian Church in Mexico and National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France protested against the declaration, while the Presbyterian Church of Chile abstained.[1]

Abortion

The 2021 adopted "Gender Justice Policy" acknowledged the communion had "failed to respect a woman’s right to control her body and her right to choose" and also invites member churches to "commit to a process of study and discernment over the issues of sexuality, sexual pleasure, fertility, reproductive rights, and the right to choose". The gender justice policy applies to the WCRC and its executive staff and is commended to its member churches.[18][28]

In 2025, the General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches passed a resolution to "1. Include reproductive rights within the Communion’s gender-justice work, giving attention to churches that require contextual resources and support. 2. Encourage theological reflection and pastoral care that affirms the sacredness of choice [to have an abortion], dignity, and community wellbeing. These appeals embody the Council’s commitment to discern, confess, witness, and be reformed through communities that center love, dignity, and the flourishing of life."[19]

Same-sex marriage

In 2017, the WCRC noted it has no official position on human sexuality.[29] However in the 2021 adopted "Gender Justice Policy" which the communion commends to its members churches [18] it stated that: We are each made in the image of God and together, as Church, we are the Body of Christ, as such we are each created, gifted, and loved by God; we are each loved and valued for the beauty and totality of our being and the diversity of our bodies; our sexuality is a gift from God and a source of life; we are all needed to serve the church, without discrimination; and ....no one is excluded in the basis of their gender, sexuality, race, class, disability, poverty, or caste; and leadership must be exercised through the Spirit of God, with respect for all. Furthermore, "The Body of Christ, our Church, will begin to heal when: the voices of women and other marginalized persons begin to be heard in our Communion; the sexuality of each person is honoured, including the right to control one’s body".

The same policy "invites member churches to share custodianship and the responsibility for implementing the Gender Justice Policy and call upon them to act by:..."Commit to a process of study and discernment over the issues of sexuality, sexual pleasure, fertility,reproductive rights, and the right to choose;[30]

In 2025, the General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches passed a resolution to "1. Reaffirm the diversity of God’s creation, including the life-giving gifts of human love and sexuality. 2. Reaffirm our witness to Christ’s gospel of love and inclusion, explicitly rejecting efforts to stigmatise, punish or exclude individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. We specifically name exclusion from the church’s life and leadership. 3. Continue to engage in a process of study and consultation to enable members to deepen their understanding of the social and theological implications of sexual orientation and gender expression, discern how God is calling the Church to engage in prophetic witness on matters of sexuality and gender, and work towards building consensus for future public policy advocacy. Such consultations must include people of diverse sexualities and gender identities."[19]

While the vast majority of its member churches only permit marriage between a man and a woman, and do not bless same-sex unions.[31], a great many of its member denominations promote the same-sex marriage or bless same-sex unions, such as the Remonstrant Church, Spanish Evangelical Church,[32][33] United Church of Canada,[34] Uniting Church in Australia,[35] Uniting Church in Sweden,[36][37] United Church of Christ,[38] United Church of Christ in the Philippines,[39] Evangelical Church of the River Plate,[40] Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren,[41] Protestant Church in the Netherlands,[42] United Protestant Church in Belgium, United Protestant Church of France,[43] Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine,[44] Protestant Reformed Church of Luxembourg, Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK),[45] Polish Reformed Church,[46][47][48] Reformed Church in Austria,[49] Reformed Church in America,[50][51] Swiss Reformed Church,[52] Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa,[53] Reformed Alliance, Church of Lippe,[54] Evangelical Reformed Church in Germany,[55] United Reformed Church,[56] Presbyterian Church in Canada,[57] Presbyterian Church (USA),[58][59] Church of Scotland,[60] Presbyterian Church of Wales,[61] Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa,[62] United Congregational Church of Southern Africa,[63] Waldensian Evangelical Church,[64] and Waldensian Evangelical Church of the River Plate.[65][66][67]

Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification

In the same year, WCRC became the 5th signatory of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, after the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (of the Roman Catholic Church), Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council and Anglican Communion.[68]

Christian Zionism, racism, caste, Palestinian people, Indigenous peoples, colonialism, and climate justice

In 2025, the General Council of the WCRC declared that Christian Zionism is "fundamentally evil, racist, and a travesty of the Gospel." [69] At the same Council, solidarity was expressed with the Palestinian people and indigenous peoples. The Communion also committed to combating racism, colonialism, caste systems, discrimination against women, and promoting climate justice.[20]

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Leadership and General Council

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General Councils

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Presidents

WCRC presidents are ordinarily elected for a term of seven years at every General Council:

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General secretaries

WCRC general secretaries are elected for seven years at every General Council (held septennially). General Secretaries can serve up to a maximum of two terms:

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Setri Nyomi's term was a continuation of his term as general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Upon the conclusion of Chris Ferguson's term as general secretary in August 2021, the WCRC Executive Committee appointed a "Collegial General Secretariat" originally composed of the three executive secretaries: Hanns Lessing (Secretary of Communion and Witness, Evangelical Church of Westphalia), Philip Vinod Peacock (Secretary of Justice and Witness, Church of North India), and Phil Tanis (Secretary of Communications and Operations, Reformed Church in America).[72] They were joined in the Collegium by Muna Nassar (Secretary of Mission and Advocacy) in December 2022.[73] In 2023, Setri Nyomi was installed as interim general secretary, to serve until the 2025 General Council.[74]

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Member churches

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Red countries are home to at least one member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

As of May 2025, the World Communion of Reformed Churches has 227 denominations full members and three denominations associate or affiliate members:[4][75][n 1]

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Member profile

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In 2010, at the time of the WCRC's founding, it was estimated that the organization had 80 million members, with about 225 member churches.[3][325]

In 2017, there were an estimated 100 million members in its 233 member churches.[1][326]

The Third General Assembly was held in October 2025. However, new statistics have not yet been released..[327] However, considering the most up-to-date statistics of WCRC member churches, the full member denominations of the WCRC have a combined membership of about 101.1 million.

Including associate and affiliate members, the combined membership of the denominations themselves amounts to about 140.3 million.

The Presbyterian, Reformed, Congregational, and Waldensian denominations have a combined membership of 73.5 million.

The United Churches (including the China Christian Council) in the WCRC have a combined membership of 65.5 million.

The Disciples of Christ represented by the Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council alone number about 1 million people.

Full members

Denominational subfamily

Denominational subfamilies in the WCRC by number of individual members (full members only)
  1. Presbyterians (40.5%)
  2. Continental Reformed (29.3%)
  3. Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (11.9%)
  4. Others United and uniting churches (15.4%)
  5. Congregationalism (2.87%)
  6. Arminians, Moravians and Churches of Christ (0.09%)
  7. Waldenses (0.03%)

Considering only 101,1 million full members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, 40.45% of individual members are Presbyterians. The Continental Reformed Churches represent 29.33% of members and the United and uniting churches are 27.23%.

Among the united churches is the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. It is a denomination of Lutheran theology, with a synod of Reformed tradition.[328][329][330] This is the largest denomination members of communion. Alone, it represents 11.86% of members. The others united churches account for 15.37% of the members.

Among the smallest groups within the communion are Congregationalism, which represents 2.87% of members. The Waldenses are 0.03% of the members of the communion.

Arminians, Moravians and Churches of Christ have historically not been considered part of the Reformed Tradition.[331] However, together they represent 0.09% of individual members of the WCRC.

Geography

Geographical location of individual members represented by WCRC full members denominations
  1. Africa (63.6%)
  2. Asia (22.3%)
  3. Europe (7.57%)
  4. America (5.78%)
  5. Oceania (0.74%)

Among full members, the vast majority are concentrated in Africa, with churches on this continent representing 64.3 million people, or 63.61% of the membership. Churches based in Asia represent 22.5 million people, or 22.30% of the membership.

The continents with the smallest Reformed and United Churches full members of the WCRC are: Europe, with 7.6 million members, or 7.57% of the membership; America, with 5.8 million members, or 5.78%; and Oceania, with 746,000 members, or 0.74%.

Although European and American churches are a minority in terms of membership, they represent the vast majority of WCRC's financial contributors.

In 2023, the financial contributions received by WCRC from member churches came from the following sources: 63.29% from Europe; 30.78% from churches in the Americas (30.65% from North America and the Caribbean and 0.13% from Latin America); 5.42% from Asia; 0.27% from Africa; and 0.24% from Oceania. This year, only 51 of the 230 member denominations contributed financially to the WCRC.[332]

Considering denominations, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is the largest contributor to the WCRC, representing 21.35% of contributions received in 2023. The Protestant Church in Switzerland accounts for 12.46% of contributions, the Church of Lippe and Evangelical Reformed Church in Germany each contributed 10.57% of the amounts received that year. [332]

The Protestant Church in the Netherlands accounted for 8.46% of the amounts received from members in 2023. The Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap) is the largest contributor outside of Europe and North America. This denomination accounted for 4.23% of the financial contributions received that year. The Church of Scotland contributed 4.09% in the same year. [332]

All members

Denominational subfamily

Denominational subfamilies in WCRC by number of individual members (including associate and affiliate members)
  1. China Christian Council (27.1%)
  2. Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (8.55%)
  3. Other united churches (11.1%)
  4. presbyterians (29.2%)
  5. Continental Reformed (21.1%)
  6. congregationals (2.07%)
  7. Disciples of Christ (0.76%)
  8. Baptists, Arminians, Moravians and Churches of Christ (0.10%)
  9. Waldenses (0.03%)

The WCRC distinguishes between full members and associate or affiliate members. Full members have the right to speak and vote in all of its assemblies, with representation proportional to the number of members of each denomination. Only Presbyterian, Continental Reformed, Congregational, Waldensian, Moravian, and United or Uniting denominations can be full members.[333]

Associate members are fellowships and associations of churches, which include full members of the WCRC. However, associate members do not have the right to vote in WCRC assemblies.[333]

The China Christian Council was originally a full member of the WCRC. However, in 2012, the change of its status to associate member of the WCRC was approved.[334] The change of status was confirmed at the WCRC General Assembly in 2017.[1] The Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council, an international organization that brings together national denominations of the Disciples of Christ, with 4 united denominations that are also full members of the WCRC, became an associate member of the WCRC in 2010.[335]

Institutions established by member churches or that are in agreement with historic Reformed confessions of faith may join as affiliate members, also without voting rights. The Baptist Community of the Faithful in Africa became an affiliate member in 2017.[1][336]

Considering all 140.3 million members (including associate and affiliated members), the composition of the WCRC is 46.72% of United Churches, of which 27.08% is the China Christian Council, 8.55% is the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus and 11.09% are other united churches.

The Presbyterians represent 29.17% of the total members, the Continental Reformed represent 21.15%, the Congregationalists 2.07%, the Disciples of Christ represent 0.76% and Waldenses represent 0.03%.

The remaining groups (Baptists, Arminians, Moravians and Churches of Christ) represent 0.10% of the total membership.

In addition to denominations, some theological institutions are also members affiliated with WCRC, such as Trinity Theological Seminary (Ghana), International Reformed Theological Institute and Network for African Congregational Theology.[4]

Geography

Geographical location of individual members represented by WCRC full, associate, and affiliate member denominations
  1. Africa (46.4%)
  2. Asia (43.2%)
  3. Europe (5.46%)
  4. America (4.39%)
  5. Oceania (0.56%)

If associate and affiliate members are included, the total membership on the African continent reaches 65.1 million people, or 46.42% of all members. The China Christian Council, an associate member, when included, brings the number of associate members in Asia to 60.5 million people, or 43.17% of all members.

If associate and affiliate members are included, the European denominations that are members of the WCRC represent only 5.46% of the membership, the American denominations 4.39%, and the Oceanian denominations 0.56% of all members.

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Former members

In 2013 the WCRC received notice of disaffiliation from the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, the Protestant Church of Reunion Island and St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.[337]

The Arab Evangelical Church of São Paulo was previously members of WCRC.[338] However, after 2015, the denomination joined the Brazilian Baptist Convention and left the WCRC.

Due to the WCRC's increasingly liberal stance, theologically conservative denominations left tit in the 2020s.

On June 22, 2023, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church approved a resolution by which it withdrew from the WCRC and reaffirmed that it would base its global relations with other Reformed churches on the more conservative World Reformed Fellowship.[75]

In February 2024, the Presbyterian Church of Chile also passed a resolution to withdraw from the WCRC.

In June 2024, the National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France also withdrew from the organization.[339]

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Potential membership

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Although it aims to unite all Reformed Christians, there are a large number of Presbyterian, Reformed, Congregational, Moravian, and United churches that are not members of WCRC. Together, the non-member churches that meet the membership criteria number 26 million members, which include:

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See also

Notes

  1. The list of the World Communion of Reformed Churches lists the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania twice, both in Lithuania and in the United States. Furthermore, Arab Evangelical Church of São Paulo, Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States), Presbyterian Church of Chile and National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France, who have already left the organization, which is why the WCRC list reports 232 denomination Full members and three associate and affiliated members.
  2. The Anglican Communion (AC) claims approximately 85 million members. The denominations that make up the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), with their full members, collectively claim over 100 million members. Therefore, according to self-reported figures, the WCRC is larger than the AC, considering only full members. However, some sources indicate that the total membership of the AC churches is actually 110 million. This would make the AC larger than the WCRC, if only the WCRC's full members are counted. Among the WCRC's associate members are the China Christian Council and the Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council, which together represent over 40 million people. Therefore, if the WCRC's associate and affiliate members are counted, the WCRC has approximately 140 million members and surpasses any Protestant communion in the world. Therefore, the position of WCRC and AC as the third or fourth largest Christian communion depends on the number considered for the CA, as well as whether or not the associate and affiliate members of WCRC are included in the count.
  3. In 2025, the General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches passed a resolution to "1. Reaffirm the diversity of God’s creation, including the life-giving gifts of human love and sexuality. 2. Reaffirm our witness to Christ’s gospel of love and inclusion, explicitly rejecting efforts to stigmatise, punish or exclude individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. We specifically name exclusion from the church’s life and leadership. 3. Continue to engage in a process of study and consultation to enable members to deepen their understanding of the social and theological implications of sexual orientation and gender expression, discern how God is calling the Church to engage in prophetic witness on matters of sexuality and gender, and work towards building consensus for future public policy advocacy. Such consultations must include people of diverse sexualities and gender identities."
  4. In 2025, the General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches passed a resolution to "1. Include reproductive rights within the Communion’s gender-justice work, giving attention to churches that require contextual resources and support. 2. Encourage theological reflection and pastoral care that affirms the sacredness of choice [to have an abortion], dignity, and community wellbeing. These appeals embody the Council’s commitment to discern, confess, witness, and be reformed through communities that center love, dignity, and the flourishing of life."
  5. member of the Reformed Alliance, which is already a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Therefore, the number of churches and members of this denomination are not included in the total sum.
  6. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana announced in 2024 that it had 1,366,375 members in 2023. In 2025, it published that it had a net increase of 103,392 new members in 2024. Therefore, the number of members of the denomination in 2024 is 1,469,767 people.
  7. The Protestant Church in Indonesia consists of 12 regional churches, which together claim some 3,766,078 members in 4,373 churches and congregations. However, each regional church participates independently in ecumenical bodies. Thus, only 8 of its 12 constituent churches are members of the WCRC. The membership and places of worship figures of the 4 regional churches that are not members (Protestant Church in Indonesia in Papua, Talaud Christian Evangelical Church, Indonesian Protestant Church Baggai Kepulawan, and Indonesian Ecumenical Christian Church) are not included.
  8. member of the Protestant Church in Indonesia, which is already a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Therefore, the number of churches and members of this denomination are not included in the total sum
  9. The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian has 5 synods. Each Synod participates in ecumenical organizations independently. The synods of Blantyre (Malawi), Nkhoma (Malawi), Zimbabwe and Harare (Zambia) are members of the World CommunION of Reformed Churches, while the synod of Livingstonia (Malawi) is the only non-participant.
  10. Includes only synod membership numbers from Blantyre (Malawi) and Nkhoma (Malawi) synods.
  11. excluding numbers from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, Church of North India, United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and United Reformed Church, which are already members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
  12. former member of WCRC.
  13. The Moravian Church has about 1.2 million members, but only 1 from its provinces; the Moravian Church in Cuba, with 600 members, has joined the WCRC, with all other provinces outside the organization.
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References

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