From the October-December 2007 Issue
Struggling to Survive
John and Oline Taylor
On route to SorreisaThe situation in Norway, including the north, gives cause for concern. The dominant picture is a modern, rich society busy moving away from God and away from His Word. Also here the teaching in schools is being emptied of any spiritual content. There are places where there are some signs of the Lord blessing his work, but they are small. In many churches only Christians come to the meetings and very few are reached with the living gospel. There is, however, a living witness in many isolated places.
Many of these groups are too small to be able to have a pastor or a regular ministry, and often too isolated to have regular fellowship with other groups, but they do have some gatherings through the winter – a prayer meeting or a Bible study. Then occasionally they have a visiting preacher, which would be a great encouragement to them. These are usually retired pastors who travel for several weeks at a time visiting a great number of places over a large area. They would come every year and are usually supported by the church group to which they belong, but it is with great personal sacrifice and only a call from God that they go out. Not, perhaps, an ideal situation, but a simple system which has kept a witness for Christ living through the years. These preachers have a Christ-centred evangelical ministry. Unfortunately there are only very few who are willing to take on this work today.
In our district, within an area of 30-40 miles, there are several small groups that can visit one another and although they are from different denominations or missions we actually share the preachers who visit us. They usually stay in the area a week and have meetings in all the groups.
Summer conventions
During the summer the meetings are not maintained, but there are conferences held and Christians travel often great distances to attend these. Our denomination has its conference at the end of June for people in the north. There were lots of families this year and of the 80 attending 40 were children and young people. There was a large group from Tromsø and also from Narvik. It was a real encouragement to come together. The ministry was good and helpful. The children had their own meetings and programme, and they seemed to have a profitable time as well.
I have less responsibility in the work of the Northern District now. Another man has taken over the leadership, so it was good to be there and just enjoy the fellowship.
Visits to the far north
We have kept in contact with the little newly-founded church in Tana. Oline and I have visited them and we also have regular telephone contact. There have been many questions, as much is new for them. They have had opposition from some in the village, so it has not been easy for them. Nevertheless, they seem to be able to keep together. The meetings for the children and young people have been well attended, but few are present for the Sunday service. There is a little group within the membership who are able to work as an evangelizing team and they have visited other places to hold meetings. The church has circulated a news sheet to all the homes in the area. They have also received some new members recently, so this is a real encouragement to them. Some of the members live quite a considerable distance away, so it is difficult for them to meet regularly. Please pray for them.
We have also visited Berg and Brønnøysund. In the little village of Berg they have good contact with new people who come to the meetings and also a good work amongst children and young people. In Brønnøysund there is a very small group struggling to keep the church open.
Immigrants
In the last few years there has been a new development in the churches. Quite a few refugees coming to Norway are Christians and have brought their enthusiasm and commitment to Christ into the churches, especially in towns like Narvik, Tromsø and Vadsø. Others of these refugees have become Christians since coming to Norway. So these immigrants would comprise quite a large percentage of some congregations. People from other lands seem to be more open to the Gospel, whilst Norwegians are too busy with other things.
At home
We carry on our regular work in Sørreisa and in our home village as usual. In the church group in Sørreisa the meetings have been maintained regularly and we have received a new member. This spring one of our members died quite suddenly, so there was the opportunity to take part in the funeral. I have preached in some of the other groups in the area and life is still busy.