July 2004
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Norway’s State Church Do they still have a state church over there? This is the question I often get when people realize that I am a Norwegian pastor. The answer to that question is Yes! In Sweden they made the separation between the church and state in the year 2000. I think Norway will follow, but it’s hard to say when. It would take at least two parliaments (8 years) to get approval for a change in the constitution. Right now it is not a really hot issue for either politicians or church leaders. There’s more focus on how the church might serve in the best possible way. My home parish in Gjøvik received a whole bunch of money this year for a pilot project on Christian education. The vision is not only to baptize (which we in fact are quite good at), but also to teach young people to "obey all that I have commanded you…" As Jesus said in the great commission. This is a struggle against a rapidly growing secularism in Norway. I remember learning Luther’s small catechism by heart in fifth grade at school. If I asked kids nowadays about the same, they may answer; What is the catechism? Even in my time, Christianity taught at school was seen as church education. Norway is a multi-cultural and pluralistic society. The church has to adapt to that. Through new laws, the church organization has become more independent and self-sustaining. But the goal is not to get rid of the state church system, but to be the true body of Christ for the people of Norway. Jens Arne Dale, Pastor |
The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church · 924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 · (612)874-0716 |