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Name of National Alliance: Evangelisk Alliance I Danmark
Principal leaders of the Alliance:
Rev. Birger Nygaard - Chairman
Rev. Hans Henrik Lund - Vice-chair
Public email address and phone number: info@evangeliskalliance.dk +45 3838 4910
Website: www.evangeliskalliance.dk
The Evangelical Alliance (EA) in Denmark was formed in 1885 after having hosted the 8th ordinary Assembly of World Evangelical in Copenhagen, September 1884. Throughout its history the prayer week each January has been one of the main activities. In 1984 a Danish Lausanne Group was formed. This group had a special focus on mission and world evangelization. In 2001 Evangelical Alliance and the Danish Lausanne Group merged. The Lausanne foci were incorporated in the remit of EA.
EA in Denmark is organized with a council of 20-25 key representatives of nearly all protestant churches and key mission organizations/networks in Denmark. The council elects the 5 person board. EA has no paid staff. The secretariat rests with the chairman.
The Danish Evangelical Alliance is a member of the European Evangelical Alliance and the World Evangelical Alliance and is part of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization.
Denmark is a small country enjoying the fruits of a 1.000 year long Christian tradition 83 percent of the population is the national Lutheran Church of Denmark. Christian values are deeply embedded in the Danish cultural traditions and in legislation. Denmark is one of the countries in the world with the highest taxes. This is a sign of a very well developed welfare system, which secures free hospitals, free education and good care of the elderly.
Like in other European countries, secularization is rampant. Only 1-2% attend church on a normal Sunday. And the memory of who we are as a people with deep Christian roots is rapidly disintegrating. The churches in Denmark need to find a sustainable way forward in this climate. No special denomination in Denmark is successful in responding to the challenges. These years are a time of stagnation or decline.
The openness towards “spirituality” is growing. But that does not mean that the Danes are now seeking churches and Christian faith again. It takes renewal of Christians and churches and good missionary efforts to turn this tide into an opportunity for churches to dialog with people about faith issues. Thus there is a great need in Denmark these days for vibrant churches and Christians, who by their very life and testimony demonstrate what Christian faith means today. Danes have never been a church going people with high percentages going to church. Therefore it is probably even more important that Christians become much more visible and vocal in the market place and their local communities and networks.
Each year The Evangelical Alliance in Denmark focuses on a relevant theme for the churches to study and deliberate. 2004: Evangelical Identity. 2005: Churchless Faith. 2006: Emerging Churches. 2007: Volunteers.
The climate among Christian groups and denominations in Denmark is better today than some years ago. The realization of common struggles and challenges from secular society, creates a good climate for ecumenical dialog and cooperation.
Lately more than 150 migrant church have sprung up. These churches may be a new force for renewal and mission in Denmark. They are heartily welcome! However, at the present moment most of them still needs to transition from being ethnic churches to move into missionary outreach to the old Danes.
Please pray for:
- Renewal of churches and Christians in their life and testimony
- Missionary vigor and innovation
- Mature, Christian voices in public discourse
- Christians realizing their Christian vocation in the secular market place
- Young Christian leaders, who understand their culture and are able to navigate in a way that will demonstrate the continued relevance of classic Christian faith in the midst of a highly secular society
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