The Church of Norway is experiencing a stubborn decline in membership. From 2019 to 2020, the number of its members fell by over 31,000.
Last year, the Norwegian Church had 3,655,556 members, which is 31,159 fewer than the year before, according to Statistics Norway (SSB).
While 2,343 people signed up and became members last year, 12,653 dropped out of the Church.
The corona pandemic affected religious events and ceremonies last year. The SSB has previously reported that there have not been as few weddings in Norway as last year since 1927. A total of 4,394 church weddings were performed in Norway last year, 1,820 fewer than last year.
At the same time, the number of church funerals was also low, with a total of 34,605 funerals during 2020.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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The Norwegian/Evangelical Lutheran Church is a fundamental part of Norwegian society and culture. You don’t really have to believe in all the fine print … about Resurrection, Heaven and Hell, etc. … to be a Christian. As long and you try to be kind and courteous to others and to help others, *being* Christian … and some Muslims and Jews are more “Christian” than some card-carrying Christians … is what would matter to Christ.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of Sunday School, and ministers/priests can decisively help in personal and family crises.
There is no church within walking distance here in Flateby, and they seem too few and far between generally. In the States, there is at least one in even smaller communities, whatever the denomination.