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Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark
and
International Church of Copenhagen
The Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Denmark (ELCD) is a national (state) church which is
Evangelical Lutheran by law. It has nearly 1400 congregations served by 1800
ordained pastors, of whom 300 are women. Church buildings and premises are
beautiful and well kept, but church attendance is generally a small percentage
of total membership. In addition to baptisms and confirmations, most weddings
and burials are conducted at local churches.
Christianity was first brought to
Denmark by St. Ansgar, the "Apostle to the North," in the 9th century.
Roman Catholic Christianity gradually took root in Denmark, and in the 11th
century the Danish Vikings converted to Christianity. Most of today's stone
village churches in Denmark were built in the 13th century. Danish kings had
ties with Rome, and the king controlled the bishops.
The Reformation came to Denmark by
the 1520s, and by 1569 all Roman Catholic activity was forbidden. Lutheran
orthodoxy in the 17th century included the Danish chorale and the development of
the melodious "hymn mass." Pietism made a strong impact in the 18th
and 19th centuries, leading to extensive missionary outreach in many countries
around the world. A total of eleven independent missionary societies have united
to form the Church of Denmark Missionary Council, which interprets their work to
the congregations.
The Danish church, as a folk
church, has tended to experience renewal on an individual basis. Pietism
accentuated religious freedom. Voluntary organizations have been an important
part of the life of Danish Christians, and many of the outreach and service
functions of the church have been carried out by independent organizations.
The church is congregationally
organized, and elected congregational councils manage the affairs of local
churches. The church's pastors are educated by the theological faculties at the
universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus. Other schools provide continuing
education for pastors and training for deacons and deaconesses.
The
International
Church of Copenhagen (ICC) is a Christ-centered, English speaking,
ecumenical ministry which welcomes and nurtures everyone in God's spiritual
family. It ministers to people of many different denominations and backgrounds.
The ICC has approximately 200 members, including scientists and engineers,
diplomats and government personnel, teachers and students, business people, and
refugees. The ICC also ministers to tourists and visitors in Copenhagen. Its
membership base is very transient, since it consists of people who are in
Copenhagen for relatively short periods of time.
The International Church of
Copenhagen offers a full range of programs for children, youth, and adults. It
is the only English speaking congregation in Copenhagen which offers Sunday
School, youth group, and activities for young adults. The ICC does not have its
own building, but rents space from another church. One of the challenges for the
future is to increase its facilities in order to have an expanded ministry.
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