7 Questions - Oslo

7 Questions - Oslo 

7 Questions - Oslo – Jan

Jan feels that others doing city reaching are a bit ahead of him. He has big ears for learning. He is part of a mission organization that began in Norway to reach China 100 years ago. IN that time the population of Christians in China has increased 20 times. In Norway there is a hardness of the kingdom of God. What amazing grace we are part of. God is moving all around the world. We are gathered in the coming kingdom to bring a new heaven and earth. Oslo is a tiny part of the magnificent mosaic gathering in the presence of the Lord. 85% of the population of Norway is part of Jan’s denomination.

What is right?
A lot of young people gathering in churches. A new movement of prayer. There is revival in the state church. A Power Church movement inside the church. Congregations started as prayer houses. There are more prayer houses than churches. 2,500 groups in Jan’s mission organization.

What is wrong?
We deal far to much with the 99 that are already inside and too little with the 1 that is lost. Need a stronger focus on serving the outcast and unreached. We need young people who can be the servants of God. In Europe they say, “Someone will have to die first.” There has been a split between those who want tradition and the young. Seven last words of dying churches: We never did it that way before?

What is confused?
At home they preach service but don’t do it.

Where are we failing?
We don’t recognize the urban nature of mission. We don’t recognize the diverse racial makeup of the urban centers. We need to unite: Lutherans, Baptists, People of Good will.

Where are we succeeding?
We have been able to work together with the government to serve the city. A joint venture to help broken families. Volunteer Centers. The Government struggled to create volunteer centers. The church said they could help if they could participate. 3-4 years ago the city government of Stockholm connected with the government of Oslo. They talked about volunteer centers and chose Jan’s center as a model for recreation in other cities. Volunteer Centers help the elderly who are uncared for by family or others. They help with shopping, cleaning and other tasks. Half of the volunteers are non-believers. By doing good in the presence of Christ they have an influence.

Where is our leverage?
Good partnership with Government with proven track record. Jan is strategically placed to influence his whole nation.