Church of Norway

Evangelical-Lutheran denomination in Norway

"Norwegian Church" redirects here. For other uses, see Norwegian Church (disambiguation).

For church buildings, see Churches in Norway.

Church of Norway

Den norske kirke

Coat of arms of the Church of Norway, a cross laid over two St. Olaf's axes. Based on the coat of arms of 16th-century archbishops of Nidaros.

Classification| Christian
Orientation| Lutheran[a]
Scripture| Holy Bible
Theology| Lutheran theology[b]
Polity| Episcopal
Preses| Olav Fykse Tveit of Nidaros
Associations|

* Lutheran World Federation
* World Council of Churches
* Conference of European Churches
* Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe
* Porvoo Communion

Region| Norway
Origin|

* 934 (Introduction of Christianity)
* 1537 (Lutheran Reformation)

Separated from| Catholic Church
Separations| Nordic Catholic Church (1999)
Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Norway (2013)
Members| 3,526,133 (2021)[1]
Official website| Official website (in Norwegian)
Official website (in English)

The Church of Norway (Bokmål: Den norske kirke, Nynorsk: Den norske kyrkja, Northern Sami: Norgga girku, Southern Sami: Nöörjen gærhkoe) is an evangelical Lutheran denomination of Protestant Christianity and by far the largest Christian church in Norway.[2] Christianity became the state religion of Norway around 1020,[3] and was established as a separate church intimately integrated with the state as a result of the Lutheran reformation in Denmark–Norway which broke ties with the Holy See in 1536–1537; the Norwegian monarch was the church's titular head from 1537 to 2012. Historically, the church was one of the main instruments of state authority, and an important part of the state's administration. Local government was based on the church's parishes with significant official responsibility held by the parish priest.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Church of Norway gradually ceded most administrative functions to the secular civil service. The modern Constitution of Norway describes the church as the country's "people's church" and requires the monarch to be a member.[4][5][6][7][8] It is by far the largest church in Norway; until the mid 19th century the state church had a near-total monopoly on religion in Norway. It was the only legal church in Norway, membership was mandatory for every person residing in the kingdom and it was forbidden for anyone other than the official priests of the state church to authorise religious meetings. After the adoption of the 1845 Dissenter Act, the state church retained its legally privileged position, while minority religious congregations such as Catholics were allowed to establish themselves in Norway and were legally termed "dissenters" (i.e. from the government-sanctioned Lutheran state religion).[9][2] Church employees were civil servants from the Reformation until 2017, when the church became a legal entity separate from the state administration. The Church of Norway is mentioned specifically in the 1814 constitution and is subject to the Church Act. Municipalities are required by law to support activities of parishes and to maintain church buildings and churchyards. Other religious communities are entitled to the same level of government subsidies as the Church of Norway.[10]

The church is led by ordained deacons, priests and bishops. Deacons focus on serving those in need and assist the priests. Priests are traditionally and primarily divided into the ranks chaplain, parish priest (sogneprest) who was traditionally the head of a parish (prestegjeld; literally area that owes allegiance to a priest), and provost (prost). Bishops are elected and consecrated from the priesthood and are the leaders of dioceses. Today, most priests may hold the title of parish priest, while some priests who work directly under a provost are known as provostship priest (prostiprest). All priests and bishops were appointed by the King-in-Council until the late 20th century and thus held the status of embetsmann (higher civil servant appointed by the King). Prior to 2000, ordination required the theological civil servant examination (cand.theol.) that required six years of university studies, but from 2000 other equivalent degrees may also be accepted for certain applicants over the age of 35 with relevant experience.[11]

## Overview

[edit]

Norway was gradually Christianized beginning at the end of the Early Middle Ages and was part of Western Christianity, acknowledging papal authority until the 16th century. The Roman Catholic Church exercised a significant degree of sovereignty in Norway and essentially shared power with the King of Norway as the secular ruler. The Lutheran reformation in Denmark–Norway in 1536–1537 broke ties with the Holy See, around two decades after the start of the Protestant Reformation. It later resulted in the separation of dioceses in Norway and throughout the Nordic countries from the Catholic Church. These Lutheran state churches were integrated with the state and subject to royal authority. The Norwegian monarch, although a layperson, was deemed the head of the church until 2012, although in practice the bishops remained the spiritual leaders. Until the modern era, the Church of Norway was not only a religious organisation but also one of the most important instruments of state authority, and an important part of the state administration, especially at the local and regional levels.

The church professes to be "truly Catholic, truly Reformed, truly Evangelical" in the Evangelical Lutheran tradition of Western Christian faith, with its foundation on the Bible's Old and New Testaments and occasionally including the Apocrapha, along with the three historic creeds of faith in the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, Luther's Small Catechism, Luther's Large Catechism, the Smalcald Articles and the Augsburg Confession of 1530, along with several other seminal documents in the Book of Concord: Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church published in 1580. All Evangelical Lutheran clergy (bishops, priests/pastors, deacons and other ministers) are required to read and assent to the Book of Concord. The church is a member of Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe, having signed the Leuenberg Agreement with other Lutheran and Reformed churches in 1973. It is also a member of the Porvoo Communion with 12 other churches, among them, the Anglican churches of Europe. It has also signed other ecumenical texts, including the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification with the Roman Catholic Church and the Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Bishop Munib Younan in the city of Lund, Sweden, in 2016.

As of 2017 the church is legally independent of the government. According to the constitution it serves as the "people's church" in the Kingdom of Norway.[4][5][6][7][12] Until 1969, the church's name for administrative purposes was simply the "State Church" or sometimes just "the Church", whereas the constitution described it as the "Evangelical-Lutheran Church". A constitutional amendment of 21 May 2012 designates the church as "Norway's people's church" (Norges Folkekirke), with a new provision that is almost a verbatim copy of the provision for the Danish state church (folkekirken) in the Constitution of Denmark; the Minister of Church Affairs Trond Giske stressed that the reform meant that "the state church is retained",[4] On 27 May 2016 Stortinget (Parliament of Norway) approved a new legislative act to establish the Church of Norway as an independent legal entity rather than a branch of the civil service, and the law took effect on 1 January 2017.[13][14][15] The church remains state funded.[16]

## Organization

[edit]

Dioceses of the Church of Norway Bakka kyrkje in Aurland, Sogn, Norway Førde kyrkje, Førde, Norway

### State and church

[edit]

Until 1845 the Church of Norway was the only legal religious organization in Norway and it was not possible for a person to end membership in the Church of Norway. The Dissenter Act (Lov angaaende dem, der bekjende sig til den christelige Religion, uden at være medlemmer af Statskirken) was approved by the Storting on 16 July 1845 to allow the establishment of alternative religious (Christian) bodies.[17][18][19] This act was replaced in 1969 by Lov om trudomssamfunn og ymist anna.[20]

Until 2012, the constitutional head of the church was the King of Norway, who is still obliged to profess himself a Lutheran. After the constitutional amendment of 21 May 2012, the church is self-governed with regard to doctrinal issues and appointment of clergy.

The Church of Norway was subject to legislation, including its budgets, passed by the Storting, and its central administrative functions were carried out by the Royal Ministry of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs until 2017. Bishops and priests were civil servants also after the 2012 constitutional reform. Each parish has an autonomous administration. The state itself does not administer church buildings; buildings and adjacent land instead belong to the parish as an independent public institution.[21] The Minister of Church Affairs, Trond Giske, was responsible for proposing the 2012 amendments, explaining that "the state church is retained".[4]

An act approved in 2016 created the Church of Norway as an independent legal entity, effective from 1 January 2017.[22][23]

### Structure

[edit]

The church has an episcopal-synodal structure, with 1,284 parishes, 106 deaneries, 11 dioceses and, since 2 October 2011, one area under the supervision of the Preses. The dioceses are, according to the rank of the five historic sees and then according to age:

No  | Diocese  | Founded
Dissolved | Cathedral  | Incumbent

|
|
|
|

I  | Diocese of Nidaros | 1068  | Nidaros Cathedral |

* Bishop-Preses Olav Fykse Tveit (2020–present) (Preses of Norway)
* Bishop Herborg Finnset (2017–present) (Bishop of Nidaros)

II  | Diocese of Bjørgvin | 1068  | Bergen Cathedral | Bishop Ragnhild Jepsen (2023–present)
III  | Diocese of Oslo | 1068  | Oslo Cathedral | Bishop Sunniva Gylver (2025–present)
(IV)  | Diocese of Stavanger |

* 1112
* 1682 (Moved to Kristiansand)

| Stavanger Cathedral | n/a
(V)  | Diocese of Hamar |

* 1152
* 1537 (united with Oslo)

| Old Hamar Cathedral | n/a
IV  | Diocese of Agder og Telemark | 1682  | Kristiansand Cathedral | Bishop-Vice Preses Stein Reinertsen (2012–present)
(X)  | Diocese of Hålogaland |

* 1804
* 1952 (split into Nord- and Sør-Hålogaland)

* 1804: Alstahaug Church
* 1864: Tromsø Cathedral

| n/a
V  | Diocese of Hamar | 1864  | Hamar Cathedral | Bishop Ole Kristian Bonden (2023–present)
VI  | Diocese of Stavanger | 1925  | Stavanger Cathedral | Bishop Anne Lise Ådnøy (2019–present)
VII  | Diocese of Tunsberg | 1948  | Tønsberg Cathedral | Bishop Jan Otto Myrseth (2018–present)
X  | Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland | 1952  | Bodø Cathedral | Bishop Svein Valle (2023–present)
XI  | Diocese of Nord-Hålogaland | 1952  | Tromsø Cathedral | Bishop Olav Øygard (2014–present)
VIII  | Diocese of Borg | 1969  | Fredrikstad Cathedral | Bishop Kari Mangrud Alvsvåg (2022–present)
IX  | Diocese of Møre | 1983  | Molde Cathedral | Bishop Ingeborg Midttømme (2008–present)

### Governing bodies

[edit]

The General Synod of the Church of Norway, which convenes once a year, is the highest representative body of the church. It consists of 85 representatives, of whom seven or eight are sent from each of the dioceses. Of these, four are lay members appointed by the congregations; one is a lay member appointed by church employees; one is a member appointed by the clergy; and the bishop. In addition, one representative from the Sami community in each of the three northernmost dioceses, representatives from the three theological seminaries, representatives from the youth council. Other members of the national council are also members of the general synod.

The national council, the executive body of the synod, is convened five times a year and comprises 15 members, of whom ten are lay members, four are clergy and one is the presiding bishop. It prepares matters for decision-making elsewhere and puts those decisions into effect. The council also has working and ad hoc groups, addressing issues such as church service, education and youth issues.

The Council on Ecumenical and International Relations deals with international and ecumenical matters, and the Sami Church Council is responsible for the Church of Norway's work among the country's indigenous Sami people.

The Bishops' Conference of the Church of Norway convenes three times a year, and consists of the twelve bishops in the church (the 11 diocesan bishops and the Preses). It issues opinions on various issues related to church life and theological matters.

The church also convenes committees and councils both at the national level (such as the Doctrinal Commission (Den norske kirkes lærenemnd),[24] and at diocesan and local levels, addressing specific issues related to education, ecumenical matters, the Sami minority and youth.

There are 1,600 Church of Norway churches and chapels. Parish work is led by a priest and an elected parish council. There are more than 1,200 clergy (in 2007, 21% were women ministers) in the Church of Norway. The Church of Norway does not own church buildings, which are instead owned by the parish and maintained by the municipality.

## Worship

[edit]

The focus of church life is the Sunday High Mass (høymesse) where the Eucharist is celebrated. The main service is most commonly celebrated at 11:00 a.m. The liturgy is similar to that in use in the Roman Catholic Church. The language is entirely Norwegian, apart from the Kyrie Eleison, and the singing of hymns accompanied by organ music is central. A priest (often with lay assistants) celebrates the service, wearing an alb and stole. In addition, a chasuble is worn by the priest during the Eucharist and, increasingly, during the whole service.

The Church of Norway baptises children, usually infants, and usually as part of ordinary Sunday services.

This is a summary of the liturgy for High Mass:[25][26]

* Praeludium
* Opening Hymn
* Greeting
* Confession of Sin
* Kyrie
* Gloria[27] (This may be omitted during Lent)
* Collect of the Day

(If there is a baptism it together with the Apostles' Creed may take place here or after the Sermon)

* First Lesson (Old Testament, an Epistle, the Acts of the Apostles or the Revelation to John)[28]
* Hymn of Praise
* Second Lesson (An Epistle, the Acts of the Apostles, the Revelation to John or a Gospel)
* Apostles' Creed
* Hymn before the Sermon
* Sermon (concluding with the Gloria Patri)
* Hymn after the Sermon
* Church Prayer (i.e., Intercessions)

(If there is no Communion, i.e., the Eucharist, the service concludes with the Lord's Prayer, an optional Offering, the Blessing and a moment of silent prayer)

* Hymn before the Communion
* Threefold Dialogue and Proper Preface
* Sanctus
* Prayer before the Lord's Supper,
* Lord's Prayer
* Words of Institution
* Agnus Dei
* Reception of Communion
* Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion
* Blessing
* Silent Prayer (as the church bell is toned nine – 3x3 – times)
* Postludium

## History

[edit]

Old private altar in Hedmark, Norway

### Origin

[edit]

The Church of Norway traces its origins to the introduction of Christianity to Norway in the 9th century. Norway was Christianized as a result of missions from both the British Isles (by Haakon I of Norway and Olaf I of Norway), and from the Continent (by Ansgar). It took several hundred years to complete the Christianization, culminating on 29 July 1030 with the Battle of Stiklestad, when King Olaf II of Norway was killed. One year later, on 3 August 1031, he was canonised in Nidaros by Bishop Grimkell, and a few years later enshrined in Nidaros Cathedral. The cathedral with its shrine to St. Olav became the major Nordic place of pilgrimage until the Lutheran reformation in 1537. The whereabouts of Saint Olaf's grave have been unknown since 1568.

Saint Olaf is traditionally regarded as being responsible for the final conversion of Norway to Christianity, and is still seen as Norway's patron saint and "eternal king" (Rex Perpetuus Norvegiae). The Nordic churches were initially subordinate to the Archbishop of Bremen, until the Nordic Archdiocese of Lund was established in 1103. The separate Norwegian Archdiocese of Nidaros (in today's Trondheim) was created in 1152, and by the end of the 12th century covered all of Norway, parts of present Sweden, Iceland, Greenland, the Isle of Man, the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and the Hebrides.

Urnes Stave Church

Another site of medieval pilgrimage in Norway was the island of Selja on the northwest coast, with its memories of Saint Sunniva and its three monastery churches with Celtic influence, similar to Skellig Michael.

### Reformation

[edit]

The Reformation in Norway was accomplished by force in 1537 when Christian III of Denmark and Norway declared Lutheranism as the official religion of Norway and Denmark, sending the Roman Catholic archbishop, Olav Engelbrektsson, into exile in Lier in the Netherlands (now in Belgium). Catholic priests were persecuted, monastic orders were suppressed, and the crown took over church property, while some churches were plundered and abandoned, even destroyed. Bishops (initially called superintendents) were appointed by the king. This brought forth tight integration between church and state. After the introduction of absolute monarchy in 1660 all clerics were civil servants appointed by the king, but theological issues were left to the hierarchy of bishops and other clergy.

When Norway regained national independence from Denmark in 1814, the Norwegian Constitution recognized the Lutheran church as the state church.

The pietism movement in Norway (embodied to a great extent by the Haugean movement fostered by Hans Nielsen Hauge) has served to reduce the distance between laity and clergy in Norway. In 1842, lay congregational meetings were accepted in church life, though initially with limited influence. In following years, a number of large Christian organizations were created; they still serve as a "second line" in Church structure. The most notable of these are the Norwegian Missionary Society and the Norwegian Lutheran Mission.

During World War II, after Vidkun Quisling became Minister President of Norway and introduced a number of controversial measures such as state-controlled education, the church's bishops and the vast majority of the clergy disassociated themselves from the government in the Foundations of the Church (Kirkens Grunn) declaration of Easter 1942, stating that they would function only as pastors for their congregations, not as civil servants. The bishops were interned with deposed clergy and theological candidates from 1943, but congregational life continued more or less as usual. For three years the Church of Norway was a church free of the State.

Since World War II, a number of structural changes have taken place within the Church of Norway, mostly to institutionalize lay participation in the life of the church.

## Current issues

[edit]

Year | Population [29] | Church of Norway Members | Percentage | Change Annually

|
|
|
|

2000 | 4,503,436 | 3,869,147 | 85.9% |
2005 | 4,640,219 | 3,938,723 | 84.9% | 0.2%
2006 | 4,681,134 | 3,871,006 | 82.7% | 2.2%
2007 | 4,737,171 | 3,873,847 | 81.8% | 1.1%
2008 | 4,799,252 | 3,874,823 | 80.7% | 1.1%
2009 | 4,858,199 | 3,848,841 | 79.2% | 1.5%
2010 | 4,920,305 | 3,835,477 | 78.0% | 1.2%
2011 | 4,985,870 | 3,851,145 | 76.9% | 1.1%
2012 | 5,051,275 | 3,848,295 | 75.8% | 1.1%
2013 | 5,109,056 | 3,843,721 | 75.2% | 0.6%
2014 | 5,165,802 | 3,835,973 | 74.3% | 0.9%
2015 | 5,213,985 | 3,799,366 | 72.9% | 1.4%
2016 | 5,258,317 | 3,758,070 | 71.5% | 0.6%
2017 | 5,295,619 | 3,740,920 | 70.6% | 0.9%
2018 | 5,328,212 | 3,724,857 | 69.9% | 0.7%
2019 | 5,367,580 | 3,686,715 | 68.7% | 1.2%
2020 | 5,391,369 | 3,655,556 | 67.7% | 1.0%
2021 | 5,425,270 | 3,526,133 | 64.9% | 2.8%
2022  | 5,488,984  | 3,500,438  | 63.8%  | 1.1%
2023  | 5,550,203  | 3,472,195  | 62.6%  | 1.2%
2024  | 5,594,340  | 3,449,014  | 61.7%  | 0.9%
References:[1][30]

Norwegians are registered at baptism as members of the Church of Norway, and many remain members, using services such as baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial, rites which still have cultural standing in Norway.

68.7% of Norwegians were members of the state Church of Norway as of the end of 2019, a 1.2% drop compared to the year before and down about 11% from ten years earlier. However, only 20% of Norwegians say that religion occupies an important place in their life (according to a recent[when?] Gallup poll), making Norway one of the most secular countries of the world (only in Estonia, Sweden and Denmark were the percentages of people who considered religion to be important lower), and only about 3% of the population attends church services or other religious meetings more than once a month.[31] Baptism of infants fell from 96.8% in 1960 to 51.4% in 2019, while the proportion of confirmands fell from 93% in 1960 to 54.4% in 2019.[30][32] The proportion of weddings to be celebrated in the Church of Norway fell from 85.2% in 1960 to 31.3% in 2019.[30][33] In 2019 85.5% of all funerals took place in the Church of Norway.[30] A survey conducted by Gallup International in 65 countries in 2005 found that Norway was the least religious among the Western countries surveyed, with only 36% of the population considering themselves religious, 9% considering themselves atheist, and 46% considering themselves "neither religious nor atheist".[34]

The "Arctic Cathedral" in Tromsø, example of modern church architecture in Norway

By law, all children with at least one parent-member become members of the church.[35] This has been controversial, because many become members without knowing, and this favours the Church of Norway over other churches. This law remained unchanged even after the separation of church and state in 2012.

In 2000, the Church of Norway appointed the first openly partnered gay priest.[36] In 2007, a majority in the general synod voted in favour of accepting people living in same-sex relations into the priesthood.[37] In 2008, the Norwegian Parliament voted to establish same-sex civil marriages, and the bishops allowed prayers for same-sex couples.[38] Traditionalist clergy and laity from the Church of Norway established the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Norway, a nonterritorial ecclesiastical province that only ordains men to holy orders and does not perform same-sex marriages in 2013. The Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Norway is a member of the International Lutheran Council, which represents Confessional Lutheran bodies around the globe.[39] In 2014, a proposed liturgy for same-sex marriages was rejected by the general synod.[40] This question created much unrest in the Church of Norway.[41][42] In 2015, the Church of Norway voted to allow same-sex marriages.[43] The decision was ratified on 11 April 2016.[44] The first same-sex marriage ceremony in the church occurred on 1 February 2017 just after midnight.[45][46][47]

## Legal status

[edit]

On 21 May 2012, the Norwegian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment for the second time (such amendments must be passed twice in separate parliaments to come into effect) that granted the Church of Norway increased autonomy, and states that "the Church of Norway, an Evangelical-Lutheran church, remains Norway's people's church, and is supported by the State as such" ('people's church' or folkekirke is also the name of the Danish state church, Folkekirken), replacing the earlier expression which stated that "the Evangelical-Lutheran religion remains the public religion of the State." The constitution also says that Norway's values are based on its Christian and humanist heritage, and according to the Constitution, the king is required to be Lutheran. The government still provides funding for the church as it does with other faith-based institutions, but the responsibility for appointing bishops and provosts now rests with the church instead of the government. Prior to 1997, the appointments of parish priests and residing chaplains was also the responsibility of the government, but the church was granted the right to hire such clergy directly with the new Church Law of 1997. The 2012 amendment implies that the church's own governing bodies, rather than the Council of State, appoints bishops. The government and the parliament no longer have an oversight function with regard to day-to-day doctrinal issues, although the Constitution states that the church is to be Evangelical-Lutheran.[48][5]

After the changes in 1997 and 2012, until the change in 2017, all clergy remained civil servants (state employees), and the central and regional church administrations remained a part of the state administration. The Church of Norway is regulated by its own law (kirkeloven) and all municipalities are required by law to support the activities of the Church of Norway and municipal authorities are represented in its local bodies. The amendment was a result of a compromise from 2008. Minister of Church Affairs Trond Giske then emphasized that the Church of Norway remains Norway's state church, stating that "the state church is retained. Neither the Labour Party nor the Centre Party had a mandate to agree to separate church and state."[49] Of the government parties, the Labour Party and the Centre Party supported a continued state church, while only the Socialist Left Party preferred a separation of church and state, although all parties eventually voted for the 2008 compromise.[50][51]

The final amendment passed by a vote of 162–3. The three dissenting votes, Lundteigen, Ramsøy, and Toppe, were all from the Centre Party.[52]

Though still supported by the state of Norway, the church ceased to be the official state religion on 1 January 2017 and its approximately 1250 active clergy therefore simultaneously ceased to be employed by the Norwegian government.[53]

## See also

[edit]

* Christianity portal
* Norway portal

* 2011 Church of Norway elections
* List of cathedrals in Norway
* Sami Church Council
* Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway
* Lutheran World Federation
* Sjømannskirken
* Nordic Catholic Church
* Norges kirker

Other Nordic national Lutheran churches

* Church of Denmark
* Church of the Faroe Islands
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
* Church of Iceland
* Church of Sweden

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The Church of Norway is a broad church encompassing a range of liturgical and theological expressions, including High Church, Low Church, Liberal, and Folk Church traditions.
2. ^ With various theological and doctrinal identities, including High Church, Liberal, and Folk Church traditions.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Den norske kirke". Statistics Norway. 15 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
2. ^ a b "Norway and its national church part ways". Religion News Service. 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
3. ^ Norgeshistorie.no, Om; Institutt for arkeologi, konservering og historie (IAKH) ved UiO. "Landet blir kristnet". www.norgeshistorie.no. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
4. ^ a b c d Løsere bånd, men fortsatt statskirke Archived 8 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine, ABC Nyheter
5. ^ a b c "Staten skal ikke lenger ansette biskoper" (in Norwegian). NRK. 16 April 2012. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
6. ^ a b Forbund, Human-Etisk (15 May 2012). "Ingen avskaffelse: / Slik blir den nye statskirkeordningen". Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
7. ^ a b I dag avvikles statskirken Archived 18 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine (State church will be abolished today), Dagbladet, published 14 May 2012, accessed online 24 October 2015.
8. ^ State church in Norway? Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Church of Norway, published, 6 March 2015, accessed 24 October 2015.
9. ^ "Kristen-Norge åpnes". Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
10. ^ Kulturdepartementet (5 March 2019). "Endringer i finansiering av Den norske kirke som følge av skille mellom stat og kirke fra 1. januar 2017". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
11. ^ "Kvalifikasjonskrav for prestetjeneste" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
12. ^ State church in Norway? Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Church of Norway, published, 6 March 2015, accessed 24 October 2015.
13. ^ Lov om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.) Archived 19 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Bill passed on 27 May 2016 regarding the Church as a legal entity
14. ^ Reform for the separation of church and state Archived 12 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Royal Ministry of Culture
15. ^ kontor, Statsministerens (27 May 2016). "Offisielt frå statsrådet 27. mai 2016". Regjeringa.no. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
16. ^ "Fortsatt en statsbudsjettkirke". 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
17. ^ "dissenter – Store norske leksikon". 21 January 2023. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
18. ^ Unstad, Live: Religion, nasjonalisme og borgerdannelse. Religion og norsk nasjonal identitet – en analyse av dissenterlovene av 1845 og 1891. Master thesis, University of Oslo, 2010.
19. ^ "Info" (PDF). www.regjeringen.no. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
20. ^ "Lov om trudomssamfunn og ymist anna". Lovdata. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
21. ^ NOU 2006: 2: Staten og Den norske kirke [The State and the Church of Norway]. Utredning fra Stat – kirke-utvalget oppnevnt ved kongelig resolusjon av 14. mars 2003. (Official report to the Minister of Culture available online Archived 11 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine).
22. ^ Offisielt frå statsrådet 27. mai 2016 Archived 9 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine regjeringen.no «Sanksjon av Stortingets vedtak 18. mai 2016 til lov om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.) Lovvedtak 56 (2015–2016) Lov nr. 17 Delt ikraftsetting av lov 27. mai 2016 om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.). Loven trer i kraft fra 1. januar 2017 med unntak av romertall I § 3 nr. 8 første og fjerde ledd, § 3 nr. 10 annet punktum og § 5 femte ledd, som trer i kraft 1. juli 2016.»
23. ^ Lovvedtak 56 (2015–2016) Vedtak til lov om endringer i kirkeloven (omdanning av Den norske kirke til eget rettssubjekt m.m.) Archived 3 July 2018 at the Wayback Machine Stortinget.no
24. ^ "Startside kirken.no". Den norske kirke, Kirkerådet. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2008.
25. ^ "Startside kirken.no". Den norske kirke, Kirkerådet. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
26. ^ "Church of Norway". Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
27. ^ Only the first two verses of the Gloria are used.
28. ^ It is preceded by the singing of the acclamation: "God be praised! Halleluja. Halleluja. Halleluja."
29. ^ Population Archived 16 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine Statistics Norway
30. ^ a b c d Church of Norway, 2019 Archived 25 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine 17 May 2020 Statistics Norway
31. ^ Religiøsitet og kirkebesøk Archived 5 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine (Religion and church attendance); Forskning.no, published 2005, retrieved 23 February 2014.
32. ^ Basics and statistics Archived 14 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine Church of Norway
33. ^ Marriages and divorces, 2019 Archived 21 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine 2 April 2020 Statistics Norway
34. ^ Lønnå, Eline; Kristin Rødland. "Nordmenn minst religiøse". Klassekampen (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
35. ^ "Lov om Den norske kirke (kirkeloven)". Lovdata. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
36. ^ "Lutheran Church of Norway Appoints Practicing Homosexual". September 2000. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
37. ^ "Church of Norway ready to ordain same-sex priests". 24 November 2007. Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
38. ^ "Norwegian bishops consider special liturgy for gay couples". 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
39. ^ Ross, Paula Schlueter (28 January 2016). "Nordic Lutheran churches seek ILC membership". Reporter. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
40. ^ "Kirkemøtet avviste liturgi for homofile « Sambåndet". Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
41. ^ "Kirkelig avskalling". 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
42. ^ "Normisjon vil utvikle menigheter (visited 27.04.15)". Archived from the original on 27 April 2015.
43. ^ "Norway bishops open doors to gay church weddings". 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
44. ^ "Church of Norway Approves Gay Marriage After 20 Years of Internal Debate". 12 April 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
45. ^ "First gay couple wed". Norway Today. 1 February 2017. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017.
46. ^ "Vi har ventet så lenge, at vi ikke har et sekund til å miste". NRK (in Norwegian). 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
47. ^ "Efter 36 års venten: Kjell og Erik er det første homopar gift i norsk kirke". www.bt.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
48. ^ "Kongeriket Norges Grunnlov". lovdata.no. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
49. ^ "Løsere bånd, men fortsatt statskirke – ABC Nyheter". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
50. ^ NRK (19 March 2007). "Ap vil beholde statskirken". NRK. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
51. ^ "- Tilfreds med statskirke-forlik". Archived from the original on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
52. ^ Her vedtar Stortinget å avvikle statskirken Archived 24 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine TV2. 21 May 2012
53. ^ "Norway Ends 500-Y-O Lutheran Church Partnership, 'Biggest Change Since the Reformation'". 2 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Church of Norway.

* Official website
* Official website in Norwegian
* Churches in Norway, locator (in Norwegian)
* Norway, the Lutheran Church of in the Lutheran Cyclopedia

* v
* t
* e

Religion in Norway

Christianity|

* Adventist Church
* Anglican Church
* Baptist Church
* Church of Norway
* Evangelical Lutheran Free Church
* LDS Church
* Eastern Orthodox Church
* Oriental Orthodox Church
* Pentecostal Church
* Roman Catholic Church

Other types|

* Bahá'í Faith
* Buddhism
* Irreligion
* Islam
* Ahmadiyya
* Judaism
* Hinduism
* Neopaganism
* Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost
* Sikhism
* Theosophy

* v
* t
* e

Christianity in Norway

Eastern Christianity|

| Eastern Orthodox
(Main article)|

* Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox churches in Western Europe
* Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Sweden and all Scandinavia
* Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Britain and Scandinavia

|

Oriental Orthodox
(Main article)|

* Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
* Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Catholic|

* Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity|

| Catholic
(Main article)|

* Nordic Catholic Church[a]
* Roman Catholic Church

|

Protestant|

| Lutheran|

* Church of Norway[b]
* Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Norway[c]
* Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway
* Lutheran Confessional Church
* Lutheran Church in Norway

|

Anglican|

* Norwegian Anglican Church[b]

Baptist|

* Baptist Union of Norway

Methodist|

* Church of the Nazarene in Norway
* United Methodist Church

Adventist|

* Adventist congregations

Pentecostal|

* Pentecostal congregations

Neo-charismatic|

* Vineyard Norden

Other|

* Maran Ata

Restorationist|

* Jehovah's Witnesses
* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway

Interdenominational
organisations|

* Christian Council of Norway
* Norwegian Council for Mission and Evangelism

1. ^ Not in communion with the rest of the Catholic Church, part of the Union of Scranton
2. ^ a b Part of the Porvoo Communion
3. ^ Part of the Communion of Nordic Lutheran Dioceses

* v
* t
* e

Dioceses and Bishops in Norway

Church of Norway|

* Preses of the Bishops' Conference
* Olav Fykse Tveit
* Agder og Telemark
* Stein Reinertsen
* Bjørgvin
* Ragnhild Jepsen
* Borg
* Kari Mangrud Alvsvåg
* Hamar
* Ole Kristian Bonden
* Møre
* Ingeborg Midttømme
* Nidaros
* Herborg Finnset
* Nord-Hålogaland
* Olav Øygard
* Oslo
* Sunniva Gylver
* Stavanger
* Anne Lise Ådnøy
* Sør-Hålogaland
* Svein Valle
* Tunsberg
* Jan Otto Myrseth

Roman Catholic|

* Oslo
* Fredrik Hansen
* Tromsø
* sede vacante
* Trondheim
* Erik Varden

* v
* t
* e

Porvoo Communion

Anglican churches|

* Church of England
* Church of Ireland
* Lusitanian Catholic Apostolic Evangelical Church
* Scottish Episcopal Church
* Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church
* Church in Wales

Lutheran churches|

* Church of Denmark
* Church of the Faroe Islands
* Church of Greenland
* Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
* Lutheran Church in Great Britain
* Church of Iceland
* Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania
* Church of Norway
* Church of Sweden

Observer churches|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia

* v
* t
* e

Lutheran World Federation

Africa

Central and Eastern Africa

| Democratic Republic of the Congo|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo

|

Eritrea|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eritrea

Ethiopia|

* Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

Kenya|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya
* Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church

Madagascar|

* Malagasy Lutheran Church

Rwanda|

* Lutheran Church of Rwanda

Tanzania|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania

Southern Africa

| Angola|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Angola

|

Botswana|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana

Malawi|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi

Mozambique|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique

Namibia|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (GELK)

South Africa|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (Cape Church)
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (N-T)
* Moravian Church in South Africa

Zambia|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia

Zimbabwe|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe

Western Africa

| Cameroon|

* Church of the Lutheran Brethren of Cameroon
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon

|

Central African Republic|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic

Republic of Congo|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Congo

Ghana|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana

Liberia|

* Lutheran Church in Liberia

Nigeria|

* The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria
* The Lutheran Church of Nigeria

Senegal|

* The Lutheran Church of Senegal

Sierra Leone|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone

Asia and Pacific

North East Asia

| China – Hong Kong|

* Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church
* Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong
* Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong

|

Taiwan|

* Taiwan Lutheran Church
* Lutheran Church of the Republic of China

Japan|

* Japan Lutheran Church
* Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church

South Korea|

* Lutheran Church in Korea

West and South Asia

| Bangladesh|

* Bangladesh Lutheran Church
* Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church

|

Georgia|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

India|

* Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Arcot Lutheran Church
* Bodo Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Himalayan States
* Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam
* India Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church
* South Andhra Lutheran Church
* Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church

Israel|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

Jordan|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

Kazakhstan|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

Kyrgyzstan|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

Myanmar|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Myanmar
* Lutheran Church of Myanmar
* Myanmar Lutheran Church
* Mara Evangelical Church

Nepal|

* Nepal Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church

Palestinian territories|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

Sri Lanka|

* Lanka Lutheran Church

Uzbekistan|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

South East Asia

| Australia|

* Lutheran Church of Australia

|

Indonesia|

* Batak Christian Community Church
* Christian Communion of Indonesia Church in Nias
* Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia
* Angkola Protestant Christian Church
* Indonesian Christian Lutheran Church
* Pakpak Dairi Christian Protestant Church
* Protestant Christian Batak Church
* Protestant Christian Church
* Protestant Christian Church in Mentawai
* Simalungun Protestant Christian Church
* United Protestant Church

Malaysia|

* Basel Christian Church of Malaysia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia
* Lutheran Church in Malaysia
* Protestant Church in Sabah

Papua New Guinea|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea
* Gutnius Lutheran Church

Philippines|

* Lutheran Church in the Philippines

Singapore|

* Lutheran Church in Singapore

Thailand|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand

Europe

| Austria|

* Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria

|

Belarus|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

Belgium|

* Lutheran Church of Belgium: Arlon and Christian Mission

Croatia|

* Evangelical Church in the Republic of Croatia

Czech Republic|

* Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
* Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession

Denmark|

* Church of Denmark

Estonia|

* Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church

Finland|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

France|

* Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine
* United Protestant Church of France
* Malagasy Protestant Church in France

Germany|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baden
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brunswick
* Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Hanover
* Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad
* Church of Lippe (Lutheran classis)
* Evangelical Church in Middle Germany
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg
* Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Saxony
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Schaumburg-Lippe
* Lutheran Church in Württemberg

Hungary|

* Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Hungary

Iceland|

* Church of Iceland

Ireland|

* Lutheran Church in Ireland

Italy|

* Lutheran Evangelical Church in Italy

Latvia|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia

Lithuania|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania

Netherlands|

* Protestant Church in the Netherlands

Norway|

* Church of Norway
* Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Norway

Poland|

* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland

Romania|

* Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession in Romania
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Romania

Russia|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia

Serbia|

* Slovak Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia

Slovakia|

* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia

Slovenia|

* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia

Sweden|

* Church of Sweden

Switzerland|

* Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein

Ukraine|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia and Other States

United Kingdom|

* Lutheran Church in Great Britain
* The Lutheran Council of Great Britain

Latin America and the Caribbean

Central America and the Caribbean

| Costa Rica|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Costa Rica
* Costa Rican Lutheran Church

|

El Salvador|

* Salvadoran Lutheran Church

Guatemala|

* Evangelical Lutheran Congregation "La Epifania"

Honduras|

* Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras

Mexico|

* German-Speaking Evangelical Congregation in Mexico
* Mexican Lutheran Church

Nicaragua|

* Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope

South America

| Argentina|

* Evangelical Church of the River Plate
* United Evangelical Lutheran Church

|

Bolivia|

* Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church
* German Speaking Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Bolivia

Brazil|

* Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Chile|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile
* Lutheran Church in Chile

Colombia|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia
* St. Martin's Lutheran Congregation
* St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

Ecuador|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ecuador

Guyana|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana

Peru|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peru
* Peruvian Lutheran Evangelical Church

Suriname|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname

Venezuela|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela

North America

| Canada|

* Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

|

United States|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

* v
* t
* e

World Council of Churches (WCC)

Ecumenism

African-initiated

Africa|

* Africa Brotherhood Church
* African Christian Church & Schools
* African Church of the Holy Spirit
* African Israel Church Nineveh
* Church of Christ - Harris Mission (Harrist Church)
* Church of Christ Light of the Holy Spirit
* Council of African Instituted Churches of Southern Africa
* The African Church
* Church of the Lord (Aladura)
* The First African Church Mission

Anglicanism

Africa|

* Anglican Church of Burundi
* Anglican Church of Kenya
* Anglican Church of Rwanda
* Anglican Church of Southern Africa
* Anglican Church of Tanzania
* Church of Christ in Congo - Anglican Community of Congo
* Church of Nigeria
* Church of the Province of Central Africa
* Church of the Province of West Africa
* Church of Uganda
* Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria
* Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
* Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan

Asia|

* Anglican Church in Japan
* Anglican Church of Korea
* Church of Ceylon
* Church of the Province of Myanmar
* Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean
* Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East
* Episcopal Church in the Philippines

Europe|

* Church in Wales
* Church of England
* Church of Ireland
* Lusitanian Church of Portugal
* Scottish Episcopal Church
* Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church

North America|

* Anglican Church of Canada
* Episcopal Church

Latin America|

* Anglican Church of South America
* Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil

Oceania|

* Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
* Anglican Church of Australia
* Anglican Church of Melanesia

Assyrian Church

Global|

* Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East

Baptists

Africa|

* Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda
* Baptist Community of Congo
* Community of Baptist Churches in Central Africa
* Baptist Evangelical Church in Angola
* Episcopal Baptist Community in Africa
* Native Baptist Church of Cameroon
* Nigerian Baptist Convention
* Union of Baptist Churches of Cameroon

Asia|

* Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha
* Bengal Orissa Bihar Baptist Convention
* Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches
* Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India
* Myanmar Baptist Convention
* Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches

Europe|

* Baptist Union of Denmark
* Baptist Union of Great Britain
* Baptist Union of Hungary
* Baptist Evangelical Christian Union of Italy

North America|

* American Baptist Churches USA
* National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.
* National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
* Progressive National Baptist Convention

Latin America|

* Jamaica Baptist Union
* Baptist Convention of Haiti
* Baptist Association of El Salvador
* Baptist Convention of Nicaragua

Oceania|

* Baptist Union of New Zealand

Disciples of Christ & Christian Churches

Africa|

* Church of Christ in Congo - Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo

Asia|

* United Reformed Church

North America|

* Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada
* Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States

Latin America|

* Evangelical Church of the Disciples of Christ in Argentina

Oceania|

* Christian Churches New Zealand
* Churches of Christ in Australia

Eastern Orthodoxy

Africa|

* Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa

Eastern Asia|

* Orthodox Church in Japan

Europe & Western Asia|

* Ecumenical Patriarchate
* Church of Cyprus
* Church of Greece
* Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
* Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
* Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
* Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia
* Orthodox Church of Finland
* Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church
* Romanian Orthodox Church
* Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
* Serbian Orthodox Church

North America|

* Orthodox Church in America

Evangelical

Africa|

* African Inland Church of South Sudan and Sudan

Asia|

* Lao Evangelical Church

Lutheranism

Africa|

* Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe
* Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Lutheran Church in Liberia
* Malagasy Lutheran Church

Asia|

* Batak Christian Community Church
* Christian Protestant Angkola Church
* Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea
* The Indonesian Christian Church
* Protestant Christian Church of Nias
* Protestant Christian Batak Church
* Protestant Church in Sabah
* Simalungun Protestant Christian Church
* United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in India

Europe|

* Church of Norway
* Church of Sweden
* Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland
* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania
* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
* Evangelical Lutheran Church of Romania
* Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad
* Protestant Church in Germany
* Bavaria
* Brunswick
* Central Germany
* Hanover
* Northern Germany
* Oldenburg
* Saxony
* Schaumburg-Lippe
* Württemberg

* Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession
* Slovak Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia

North America|

* Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Latin America|

* Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church
* Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile
* Salvadorean Lutheran Synod
* United Evangelical Lutheran Church

Mar Thoma Church

Global|

* Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar

Methodism

Africa|

* Methodist Church Ghana
* Methodist Church in Kenya
* Methodist Church in Zimbabwe
* Methodist Church Nigeria
* United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast

Asia|

* Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippine Islands
* Korean Methodist Church
* Methodist Church in India
* Methodist Church in Indonesia
* Methodist Church in Malaysia
* Methodist Church in Singapore
* Methodist Church in Sri Lanka
* Methodist Church, Upper Myanmar
* Protestant Methodist Church in Benin

Europe|

* Methodist Evangelical Church in Italy
* Methodist Church
* Methodist Church in Ireland

North America|

* African Methodist Episcopal Church
* African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
* Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
* United Methodist Church

Latin America|

* Evangelical Methodist Church in Argentina
* Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia
* Methodist Church in Brazil
* Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas
* Methodist Church in Chile
* Methodist Church in Mexico

Oceania|

* Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga
* Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma

Moravian and Historic Peace Churches

Africa|

* Church of the Brethren in Nigeria
* Moravian Church in South Africa
* Moravian Church in Tanzania

Asia|

* Philippine Independent Church

Europe|

* Mennonite Church in the Netherlands
* Moravian Church in Western Europe

North America|

* Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
* Church of the Brethren
* Moravian Church in America
* Polish National Catholic Church
* Religious Society of Friends: Friends General Conference
* Religious Society of Friends: Friends United Meeting

Latin America|

* Moravian Church, Eastern West Indies Province
* Moravian Church in Jamaica
* Moravian Church in Nicaragua
* Moravian Church in Suriname

Old-Catholic

Europe|

* Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany
* Old Catholic Church of Austria
* Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands
* Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland
* Old Catholic Mariavite Church in Poland
* Polish Catholic Church in Poland

Pentecostal

Africa|

* Evangelical Pentecostal Mission of Angola
* Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa

North America|

* International Evangelical Church

Latin America|

* Association The Church of God
* Christian Biblical Church
* Free Pentecostal Missions Church of Chile
* Pentecostal Church of Chile
* Pentecostal Mission Church

Oriental Orthodoxy

Africa|

* Coptic Orthodox Church
* Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church
* Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

Eastern Asia|

* Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Europe & Western Asia|

* Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
* Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia)
* Armenian Apostolic Church (Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin)

Reformed

Africa|

* African Protestant Church
* Association of Reformed Evangelical Church of Burkina Faso
* Church of Central Africa Presbyterian – Blantyre Synod
* Evangelical Community in Congo
* Presbyterian Community in Congo
* Presbyterian Community in Kinshasa
* Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar
* Evangelical Church of Cameroon
* Evangelical Church of Congo
* Evangelical Church of Gabon
* Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa
* Evangelical Church of Egypt (Synod of the Nile)
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Togo
* Evangelical Reformed Church of Angola
* Lesotho Evangelical Church
* Presbyterian Church in Cameroon
* Presbyterian Church in Rwanda
* Presbyterian Church of Africa
* Presbyterian Church of Cameroon
* Presbyterian Church of East Africa
* Presbyterian Church of Ghana
* Presbyterian Church in Liberia
* Presbyterian Church of Mozambique
* Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
* Presbyterian Church of South Sudan
* Protestant Church of Algeria
* Reformed Church in Zambia
* Reformed Church in Zimbabwe
* Reformed Church of Christ for Nations
* Reformed Presbyterian Church of Equatorial Guinea

Asia|

* Central Sulawesi Christian Church
* Christian Church of Sumba
* Christian Evangelical Church in Minahasa
* Christian Evangelical Church in Sangihe-Talaud
* Church of Christ in Thailand
* Church of North India
* Church of Pakistan
* Church of South India
* East Java Christian Church
* Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Iran
* Evangelical Church in Kalimantan
* Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China
* Indonesian Christian Church Synod
* Javanese Christian Churches
* Karo Batak Protestant Church
* Korean Christian Church in Japan
* Mara Evangelical Church
* National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon
* Pasundan Christian Church
* Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
* Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
* Presbyterian Church of Korea
* Presbyterian Church of Pakistan
* Protestant Christian Church in Bali
* Protestant Church in Indonesia
* Protestant Church in Southeast Sulawesi
* Protestant Church in the Moluccas
* Protestant Church in Western Indonesia
* Protestant Church in East Timor
* Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor
* Toraja Church

Europe|

* Church of Scotland
* Czechoslovak Hussite Church
* Dutch Reformed Church
* Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
* Evangelical Church of the Augsburg and Helvetic Confessions in Austria
* Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Portugal
* Greek Evangelical Church
* Presbyterian Church of Wales
* Protestant Church in Germany
* Church of Lippe
* Evangelical Reformed Church in Germany

* Protestant Church in the Netherlands
* Protestant Church of Switzerland
* Reformed Christian Church in Serbia
* Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia
* Reformed Church in Hungary
* Reformed Church in Romania
* Remonstrant Brotherhood
* Spanish Evangelical Church

North America|

* Hungarian Reformed Church in America
* Presbyterian Church in Canada
* Presbyterian Church (USA)
* Reformed Church in America

Latin America|

* Evangelical Church of the River Plate
* Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil
* Presbyterian Church of Colombia
* Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago
* Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba

Oceania|

* Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa
* Congregational Christian Church in Samoa
* Congregational Christian Church of Niue
* Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu
* Evangelical Church in New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands
* Kiribati Uniting Church
* Maohi Protestant Church
* Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
* Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu

United christianity

Africa|

* United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe
* United Church of Zambia
* United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
* Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
* Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa

Asia|

* China Christian Council
* Church of Bangladesh
* Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
* United Church of Christ in Japan
* United Church of Christ in the Philippines

Europe|

* Protestant Church in Germany
* Bremen
* Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Oberlausitz
* Rhineland
* Anhalt
* Kurhessen-Waldeck
* Palatinate
* Westphalia
* Baden
* Hesse and Nassau
* Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine
* Union of Welsh Independents
* United Free Church of Scotland
* United Protestant Church in Belgium
* United Protestant Church of France
* Uniting Church in Sweden
* Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches

North America|

* International Council of Community Churches
* United Church of Canada
* United Church of Christ

Latin America|

* United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
* United Presbyterian Church of Brazil
* United Protestant Church of Curaçao

Oceania|

* United Church in Papua New Guinea
* United Church in the Solomon Islands
* United Church of Christ - Congregational in the Marshall Islands
* Uniting Church in Australia

Africa
AACC
OAIC
Asia
CCA
NCCA
NCCP
MECC
PCC
Europe
CEC
CCCAAE
Latin America
CCC
LACC
North America
CCE
NCC

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Artists|

* KulturNav

Other|

* Yale LUX

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