Protestant Church in the Netherlands

The Protestant Church in the Netherlands (in daily parlance often shortened to Protestant Church or PKN) is the largest Protestant denomination in Netherlands. It is, after a process of rapprochement of decades, on 1 May 2004, the result of a fusion between the three churches together- the Dutch Reformed Church, the reformed churches in the Netherlands and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.



Content
[hide] *Members number of 1  ==Members Number Of[ Edit] == The number of members for the PKN is presented annually at the Church balance sheet press conference, in 2009, a number of members of 1.847.000 as at 31 december 2007 (11% of the Dutch population) presented. This number does not include "other members or so. Members ' birth.
 * 2 merger process
 * 2.1 Merger
 * 2.2 changes after the merger
 * 2.3 opponents of the merger
 * 3 organizational structure
 * 3.1 President
 * 3.2 Vice-president
 * 3.3 Scriba
 * 4 characterisation of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands
 * 4.1 types of Church municipalities
 * 4.2 Modalities
 * 5 Recent developments
 * 5.1 Hbo-pastors
 * 5.2 Numbers-members registration system
 * 5.3 Cuts
 * Israel-position 5.4
 * 5.5 ' Atheist Pastor ' Haigh
 * 5.6 Pioneers places
 * 6 see also
 * 7 external links
 * 8 footnotes

This number has decreased to 1.789.000 as at 31 december 2009. [1]  the number of PKN-members as at the end of 2009 is significantly higher if the Dutch Reformed Church members ' be counted ' birth be category. According to this last methodology as of 1 January 2010 the PKN counted just under 2.1 million members, of which 0.3 million other registered/birth members. [3]  however, when the merger in 2004 of the three churches that now forms the PKN is agreed to this ' birth members ' not to count.The number of members of the PKN is further decreased to 1.721.000 (10 percent of the Dutch population at 31 december 2012. [4]

The number of members dropping on average by about 2.5% per year with the exception of the year 2012 when there was a correction took place. The decrease is mainly caused by mortality of older members (13 percent of Dutch deaths in 2012) and too little growth (5 percent of all Dutch births) from underneath. Many Protestant Church members drop compared to last year: Source: Statistical Year letter 2011 ==Fusion Process[ Edit] == Appearance of the different currents in NetherlandsGenesis of churches in Netherlands===Fusion<span class="mw-editsection" len="342" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Voted on 12 december 2003 the synods of the three connected churches after a process of 40 years with the merger in. The synod meetings took place in Utrecht in the Jacobi Church (Reformed Synod), the Nicolaï Church (Reformed Synod) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Evangelical Lutheran Synod). Still the same day, this fact celebrated in the Domkerk in Utrecht, in the presence of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (reformed), Minister of Justice Donner (gereformeerd) and the Roman Catholic Cardinal Simonis.The three signed on this occasion the Synod Presidents 'Statement of Association'.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On 1 may 2004 was officially a foregone conclusion and the fusion of the three churches. The first President of the Synod of the Protestant Church was ds. Jan-Gerd Heetderks, formerly President of the reformed Synod. Vice-President was ds. Somervilleafricajournalism. ===Changes after the merger<span class="mw-editsection" len="362" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Local municipalities and/or churches within the merger retained the freedom to unite with their merger partners is actually present, or continue to operate separately and come together (see also: #Typen Church municipalities). Also individual reformed/Calvinist and Evangelical-Lutheran confessions remain for the members retain the same value.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Most changes took place mainly on the right, both on a national level as well as locally. So one got to do with a, for some members extra administrative subdivision, the classis, and the reformed/tradition of three posts (Pastor, elders and deacons) also for the Evangelical-luthersen apply. From now on a number of issues at the local level was handled only by the churches councilsconcerned, such as participation in the sacraments and the transition of believers from one to the other connected church. ===Opponents of the merger<span class="mw-editsection" len="363" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Nearly one hundred thousand members of the three Together on the way-churches did not go to the Protestant Church. Approximately 125 local municipalities or parts of it, especially from the Gereformeerde Bond within the Dutch Reformed Church, could, mainly to doctrinal reasons, not unite with the merger and held on to their ' reformed ' identity.Still, the vast majority of the reformed Bond remained in the new Protestant Church. Controversial issues include the acceptance of the confessions from the Lutheran tradition and the space that the Protestant Church to local municipalities to bless relationships between homosexuals in offers. The synodale vote on the Association on december 12, was only narrowly won by those in favour, with 51 against 24 votes; for rejecting the proposal were 26 vote against sufficed. These opponents of the merger are intended to continue the old reformed church in the restored reformed church, with about 57,500 members.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Also some municipalities of reformed side could not find in the merger. Seven United in the Continued reformed churches in the Netherlands, with approximately 3000 members.A few preachers, and the reformed churches of Westbroek and HaarlemCentre, are transferred to the Dutch Reformed churches. About 1,000 members of the reformed church inUrk could not find in the merger, these members joined the Christian Reformed churches. Also locally are still reformed churches who refuse to unite with reformed and/or Lutheran municipalities in a Protestant commune (see also: #Typen Church municipalities ). ==Organizational Structure<span class="mw-editsection" len="357" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The main decision-making body of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands is the General Synod. It consists of 79 members. These members are delegated on behalf of the classes. The Church France classes 74 pastors, elders and deacons delegate. In the Church order is included that the Evangelical Lutheran Synod also 5 more members may be delegated. To keep the work somewhat manageable, there is also a small Synod, which is made up of representatives of the General Synod. They meet several times a year and are mainly engaged in many current affairs, such as finance, human resources and organisation. The General Synod usually meets twice a year.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The General Synod also operates an Executive Committee, the so-called fashion Windows. This mode Windows has five members and meets in principle once every two weeks. The moderamen has a Secretary to the Committee, the scriba. The scribe (Secretary) is appointed for a term of four years from the officiating clergymen of the Church. From its function is the scribe, often also one of the main spokesmen for the Church. The President (preses) and Vice-President (first assessor or vicepreses) be for a term of four years chosen by the General Synod chosen from among the members of the Synod.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The meetings are in principle public, unless there is spoken about people. Then the meeting in Committee and to all non-Synod members the space left. In addition to the General Synod is also the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. This, however, does not decide right and functions mainly as an advisory body. ===President<span class="mw-editsection" len="347" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Vice-president<span class="mw-editsection" len="351" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Scriba<span class="mw-editsection" len="343" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Characterization of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands<span class="mw-editsection" len="391" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is a Protestant Church, which both the Lutheran and Calvinist tradition has joined in. The Church has a synodale structure. Inside the Church is present a wide variety of views, from orthodoxto liberal /Orthodox. ===Types of Church municipalities<span class="mw-editsection" len="357" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p lang="en" len="49" style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Protestant Church has four types of municipalities:
 * Jan-Gerd Heetderks (2004-2007)
 * Somervilleafricajournalism (2007-2009)
 * Peter Verhoeff (2009-2012)
 * Karin van den Broeke (2013-present)
 * Somervilleafricajournalism (2004-2007)
 * James H (2007-2011)
 * Marjoleine Engelbert (2011-present)
 * Nitin Pal (2004-2008)
 * Arjan Pal Singh (2008-present)

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The first three types respectively before 1 May 2004 belonged to municipality the Dutch Reformed Church, the reformed churches in the Netherlands and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It concerns local Church municipalities who, for whatever reason, decided to continue to operate independently within the PKN. Protestant municipalities are church municipalities where actually a fusion occurs at local level between reformed municipalities and/or reformed churches and/or Evangelical Lutheran congregations. In places where a Protestant municipality includes several church buildings are often organized within the municipality "District municipalities". Some Protestant municipalities are (mostly reformed village-) municipalities that have not been merged, but nevertheless proceeded to a name change. ===Modalities<span class="mw-editsection" len="350" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">With the concept of modality is a flow of like-minded people in the religious area referred to. Within the Protestant Church are the following terms and associated organizations:
 * reformed municipalities
 * reformed churches
 * Evangelical Lutheran municipalities
 * Protestant municipalities

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">At the Middle group was originally two different modalities: the middle (reformed) and the modern Orthodox-reformed (gereformeerde kerk). As the dominant modalities within the original churches, however, they had little or no individual organizations. Because they were the engine behind the Church merger and on local level typically work together in a Protestant Church, is the distinction today, not good to make more.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" len="182" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [5]
 * Liberal (Association of Liberal Protestants)
 * Modern Middle (Middle-modern-orthodox, reformed, otherwise; On Good Rumor)
 * Evangelical (Evangelical work group)
 * denominational (Denominational Association and Denominational Reformed Consideration)
 * reformed-reformed (Gereformeerde Bond)

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In a local municipality are often members of different modalities, but there are also municipalities with a pronounced character that is largely or completely belong to one modality. In a number of places is a separate municipality (area) for members of a specific modality, separate from the other church members. This is a special category municipality (b.a.) or a special district municipality (b.w.) called. Usually involve a liberal municipality in a more orthodox faith environment, or to a reformed-reformed municipality (also called ' Federal municipality ') in a less Orthodox environment.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">By the wide variety of opinions to the level of the municipality (area) and by a significant share among the unchurched church members it's hard edge reliable statements about the extent of the different modalities. The members organizations of the modalities are no good numbers gauge, because church members who belong to the rank and file of a modality, not automatically be or become a member of the organization. The members numbers are relatively low. In 2011, researchers have for the first time of the KASKI since the creation of the Protestant Church a reasoned estimate of the proportion and with it the number of ' members ' of the different modalities. These estimates are based on surveys of all congregations. The figures are then compared to the following of different modalities within the Synod of the Church.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Modaliteiten_6-0" len="195" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [6]  overall, half of orthodox church members (denominational or Evangelical, reformed-reformed) and the other half moderate or liberal. Within the Synod is only one third orthodox and two-thirds moderate or liberal. ==Recent developments<span class="mw-editsection" len="360" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Hbo-pastors<span class="mw-editsection" len="353" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In the autumn of 2006 did a comprehensive study Committee on the proposal to the Protestant Synod to open up the predikantschap for hbo-theologians. At the moment there still need of a university education for 6 years. This proposal did flare up a fierce debate within and also outside-the PKN. The main reason for allowing hbo theologians is the fear that there is a large deficit of preachers in a few years. The main argument of opponents was that they find that Pastors the ground languages in which the Bible was written need to know. On hbo-level that is not learned. The report finally was under pressure from all the objections of table.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" len="182" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [8]  two years later, however, the PKN Synod took a proposal in which it is allowed that a church worker-with training on hbo-level-in some cases-depending on the role he performs in a church-the status of preacher can get, and so may should serve the sermons and sacrementen. However, this can only after "suitability assessment has been made and homiletic and liturgical training is completed". The admission is bound to the local situation. The hbo-preacher can therefore not as pastor to another municipality or work situation without that also in that other situation is determined to be a college Pastor needed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" len="182" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [9] ===Numbers-members registration system<span class="mw-editsection" len="370" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">There is much to do in order to develop a new numbers, members registration system. The intention was a system in which members and income developments could be registered. In principle there was 1.8 million euros reserved, but the cost enormously due to many technical obstacles ran out of control. There was already spent EUR 5.5 million to the PKN in June 2008 decided to discontinue development of the system.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [10]  at that time the system was already undressed. so would it not be possible to introduce a financial administration with Numbers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [11]  the (small) decided In november 2009 Synod a new attempt to develop a suitable system. This would be in 2011. The costs were rated at 3.7 million euros.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [12]  In 2011 is a new system went into effect. This includes all previous systems Web-based program was gone in the trash and LRP (Member registration PKN) implemented. ===Cuts<span class="mw-editsection" len="351" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === The rural service centre of the PKN in Utrecht<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Because of a declining number of members also drop the pecuniary resources of the PKN. The Church is therefore obliged in recent years to cut back on a wide range of areas. For example, in 2005 the number of regional service centres from nine to four (stripped down) centres reduced.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [13]  On the national services center in Utrecht also fell in recent years and the next few years-with some regularity fired. In the future the National Service Center may need to move out of the current building in Utrecht.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [14]  Furthermore, strong cut back on the amount of the costs, such as publications. Local municipalities also have to pay more for certain services.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]  Other posts where among other things on cutbacks are the pastoraten and the students relations with foreign churches.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [16]  <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17]  In the future much more with volunteer work.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [18] ===Israel-position<span class="mw-editsection" len="354" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Start a discussion broke out about Israel 2010-position of the PKN. This happened as a result of a letter that the moderamen of the General Synod of the Church had sent to the State Israel. In it she wrote that Israel itself had to attract the fate of the Palestinian people and asked them to take a number of concrete measures to respect the rights of Palestinians more.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [19]  the Israeli Ambassador in Netherlands announced the letter very one-sided way. In addition, positive developments are ignored.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [20]  the Council, representatives of the Denominational Reformed Denominational Association, the reformed Federation and the Evangelical work group expressed sorry to find that the letter was sent.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [21] ===' Atheistic Reverend ' Haigh<span class="mw-editsection" len="370" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">A book of Protestant pastor Klaas Hendrikse, in which he is God not as an existing being but as a ' happen ' outlines, caused much unrest within and outside the Church. Disciplinary proceedings eventually stranded at regional level, because the Zeeland classis found that a discussion but would lead to "little clarity". In november 2010, a report to the Synod of the PKN-in response to Haider-in which it was stated that there is in the Church room for different views, but that not all about God could be said. The finding was that the PKN confesses the faith in the triune God.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [22] ===Pioneers Places<span class="mw-editsection" len="353" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In recent years, the Protestant Church several pioneers places set up. This number will continue to grow in the coming years. Pioneers spots his new church communities. The best known of which are a Protestant monastery in Mijnkerk.nl, the first digital Jorwerd and Church of Europe. In april 2014 was the first pioneer place, namely Cross point in Nieuw-Vennep independently.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" len="184" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [23]