Roots Renewed: The URCNA after Thirty Years

Roots Renewed: The URCNA after Thirty Years

November 6, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min

In this episode, we welcome Cornelis Venema to discuss Roots Renewed: Perspectives on the United Reformed Churches in North America (After Thirty Years), a collection he edited on the history and identity of the United Reformed Churches in North America. We trace the Dutch and Christian Reformed histories that shaped the URCNA, consider its relationship with the Canadian Reformed Churches, and discuss Scripture, the confessions, and church order in Reformed ecclesial identity.We also reflect on the reform efforts preceding the URCNA’s formation, the relationship between Mid-America Reformed Seminary and the federation, and the book’s treatment of missions, evangelism, and church planting.Reformed Fellowship is offering Reformed Forum listeners 30 percent off. Use the code ROOTS30 at checkout. The discount applies to single copies, which are $35, and to cases of sixteen, which are already reduced to $400 and ship free. A case puts the book in the hands of a consistory, session, or study group.Chapters00:00 Opening and welcome03:22 How the book took shape08:03 Dutch roots and CRC history20:03 The URCNA and the Canadian Reformed Churches35:10 Scripture, confessions, and Reformed identity46:18 Reasons for forming the URCNA51:17 Church history and catholicity across generations56:04 A practical proposal for church unity57:41 Reform efforts before federation1:03:13 Mid-America Reformed Seminary and the URCNA1:12:08 What the book hopes to preserve1:15:00 Missions, evangelism, and church planting1:17:38 Growth and decline in the URC and CRC1:21:48 The book in wider Reformed conversations1:23:01 Reformed Fellowship’s history1:25:54 Closing thoughts and book information

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