ABOUT | Classis Hackensack

Our Mission

Classis Hackensack is the regional communion of Christian Reformed congregations (CRCNA) in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Our mission is to provide support, fellowship, and accountability to member congregations for the unified purpose of glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ, in word and deed as one body. We live out our common calling through church planting, Church renewal, embracing the international diversity and urban complexity of the greater New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC/Virginia metropolitan areas.

Prayer

Prayer is our primary space of communion with God and there it must be the beginning, middle and end of all classical activity.

Three Regional Pillars

Unity

As Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one in John 17, we must be intentional in all of our activity to fight for the unity of the Church within CRC and beyond.

Mutuality

We are called to grow together, as the Spirit of God sanctifies us together. We value mutual edification, training, suffering and celebration.

Organized in 1823, the Classis of Hackensack is a historic governing body within the Reformed tradition, deeply rooted in the Dutch settlement of New Jersey. Its history is defined by a pivotal 19th-century theological secession that eventually bridged the gap between the colonial Dutch Reformed Church and the later immigrant waves of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC).

Unlike other classes that were formed by new immigrants, Classis Hackensack traces its lineage to the colonial era, possessing a distinct "American" cultural identity that contrasted with the Dutch-speaking immigrant communities of the 1800s. a testament to God's faithfulness and the strength found in our shared mission. Today, Classis Hackensack continues to oversee various congregations in the Mid-Atlantic region, focusing on missions and leadership development.

Our History

Committees

Classical Interim Committee

Meets regularly to handle urgent matters, answer questions from member churches, and liaise with the denomination between scheduled classis meetings.

Mission Committee
of Classis

Meets monthly and is responsible for supporting church planting, revitalization, evangelism and discipleship efforts within Classis.

Englewood Fund & Student Fund

Meets infrequently and receives funding requests both for evangelism grants and to help with the cost of education for students pursuing ordained ministry in the CRCNA.