Hundreds of pastors of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) last week took a group photo at the Dam. Photo ANP / Olaf Kraak
The participation state is a unique opportunity for churches to be socially relevant. So say representatives of major religious denominations and organizations against NRC Handelsblad .
“The government faces the limitations of the welfare and calls on society,” said Bishop Gerard de Short of the diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden:
“We are open to contribute to social cohesion. That has always been a Christian vision. You’re not the world for yourself, but to serve you “loved
Jan Wessels, director of EA EZA missionary network, where some three hundred ecclesial communities under attack:.
“As a church, you are called to be a light. To be relatively minor. That is what the church lost. There are new opportunities to represent in society. “
Jesus Christ
The government is cutting back more than ten percent in 2015 to care for the sick and the elderly living at home. Municipalities, which are responsible for the care take on questions needy citizens to drill a “home network” of carers and volunteers to
PKN:. Rethink role churches in society
Church taking numerous initiatives towards that participative society. Thus the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) pilots start this fall in at least fifteen congregations that should contribute to a “reconsideration” of the role of churches in society, and a “recalibration” of ministry. Middelburg parish Morning turns his church building for ‘care and welfare activities. Churches in Oegstgeest, Elburg and Maarssen put their volunteers to “time and attention” to give to people who are dependent on care. The Leiden Maranathakerk want for less fortunate use his bike clinic to be with them -. Faithless faithful and – to conduct conversations about life
Evangelizing – ‘saving souls’ – according to the churches is not the goal of increased social participation. “Of course, we hope that people come and celebrate the liturgy,” said Bishop De Korte. “But there must assume no obligation ecclesiastical assistance. Belief can only absolute voluntariness. “
Hundreds of thousands of volunteers are active in churches
In the great churches of the Netherlands, more than 400,000 volunteers are active, according to figures from Kaski, the Nijmegen research center for religion and society. Kaski and The Nijmegen Institute for Mission Studies have calculated in 2008 that church volunteer in Rotterdam the municipality annually definitely save 110 million, mainly because of the religious contribution to social assistance and psychosocial care.
Read in NRC Weekend is the background story “The comeback of the Church”.
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- Christianity
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- participative society
- PKN
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