Who We Are
Founded in 1840, we have been blessed with 183 years of learning and growing together as a community in Christ’s love. We believe in Christ’s promise of hope and His saving grace. Our services are easy to follow, engage with, and apply to our modern lives. Central Reformed Church is a spacious, beautiful, and time-honored sanctuary cherished by generations of followers and will continue to be for generations to come.
A Refreshing Sense of Belonging
We are a church that loves as Christ loved. We foster a culture of inclusion and welcome all individuals to come as they are, no matter their status, gender, color, age, orientation, or background. We see true value in differing perspectives and experiences and recognize that our church body is stronger and more vibrant through inclusion and diversity. We offer a group of loving and caring people to lean on, confide in, cry with, and laugh with.
Connecting all people to God and to one another through scripture, sacrament, song, and service.
Our Mission
Our Vision
We envision a ministry that encourages and equips God’s people to use their gifts in service of God’s kingdom.
Our Values
Grace
God’s love, Jesus’ example, and the Holy Spirit’s presence enable us to experience far more in this life than we could on our own: redeemed minds and hearts, a passion to serve, and wills obedient to God. This spiritual transformation is a gracious gift to all who believe, empowering us to influence culture and lead people from darkness into light. Only God can do these things through us.
Unity in Diversity
Through Christ, we are reconciled with God and to one another. Because God desires for God’s people to live in unity, we are committed to working together through the difficult questions and troubles of the day. Ours is the joy of reflecting on the union shared with our Savior. When our diversity unites in worship of God, the loveliness of our praise echoes the complexity and vastness of God’s glory. We are tightly uniform in and around Christ, but diverse in every other way.
Spiritual Growth
We become more spiritually mature by tethering our faith and practices to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The spiritual journey is a lifelong process for each of us. We enter it—through scripture and prayer—because Christ beckons us to do so and because the call to draw closer to God is stronger than life itself.
Generosity
Just as God has been generous with us, we are called to be generous to our community by giving of our time, talents, and treasure.
Inclusion
Each of us is unique and created in God’s image. God accepts and loves us as we are. Likewise, we extend that same acceptance and love to others. At Central, people of every circumstance, ability, race, ethnic group, and sexual orientation are welcome to share together in the joy of God’s good news in Jesus Christ. We believe that by celebrating our variety of spiritual gifts, opportunities, backgrounds, and convictions we honor the reconciling miracle of Jesus Christ and strengthen our ability for mutual service and enrichment within the one visible people of God.
Fellowship
Our individual journeys are deepened when we have authentic relationships with one another. We belong to one another and are unified through Christ. Because of this, we wrestle with our questions, serve one another, and support one another throughout our faith journeys.
Ministry Leaders & Staff
Led by Senior Minister Steve Pierce, our staff use their God-given talents to share His word, love, and joy with our church community.
Consistory & Committees
Our consistory is made up of deacons and elders who provide governance and direction as they oversee the life and ministry of our congregation. We also have a number of committees focused on strengthening our church and community, organizing everything from youth and senior programs to property and grounds maintenance, outreach efforts, and educational initiatives.
Our History
In 1840, the First Reformed Church was founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A Second Reformed was established in 1854, and the two churches merged in 1918 to become Central Reformed Church, as we know it today. With the merging of the characteristics of both previous congregations, Central has been a place for varying perspectives and inclusion since our beginning. “Classic Worship, Liberating Theology” is the motto we continue to use to express our accepting spirit. Central is a regional church with members commuting from as far away as Holland, MI, to as close as a few blocks away.