“We have a lot to learn from Christians from other continents where being in minority is the ordinary way of life for a church”, says parish pastor Haakon Kessel. 15,000 left the Church of Norway after deregistration was made available online.

The Church of Norway now webpage allows people to verify their membership status, sign up or leave the church. “No one should be a member of a religious community against their will”, leader Kristin Gunleiksrud says.

On June 19 and 26, many churches will spend a day to pray “for the welfare and protection of the world’s forcibly displaced peoples”. Ideas and resources are offered.

How should Christians and non-believers think about family life and the state? With Peter Saunders (CEO, CMF), Tarjei Gilje (journalist, Dagen), Paul Susman (Legal officer, European Comission), Einar C. Salvesen (Psychologist, Columbia Consulting Ltd.) and Adam Szabados (pastor, Evangelical Church Veszprém). Recorded in Wisla, Poland, during ELF 2016. 

Nikos Stefanidis (Helping Hands Greece) believes that reaching refugees through “holistic ministry” is following Jesus’ example. The pastor shares stories of asylum seekers who have started to follow Christ. 

Statement confirms the “return home of all of their five children (…) We thank you all for your love, support, prayers”.

Scripture Reading out loud from cover to cover in the Oslo Cathedral park. The event was part of a four day Bible Festival held in Oslo in May 26-29.

Usama Hanna (MEOS, Switzerland) believes churches in Switzerland and across Europe “are opening up to integration.” He emphasises the importance of “praying for and with the refugees.”

What should be the approach to refugees coming from an Arabic background? What is important to them? How can we talk to them about God? Usama Hanna (MEOS, Switzerland) gives some answers. 

As Romanians, we have passed through many great battles against our own government, battles over state laws that were against the law of God. During our history, the Ottoman Empire wanted our children, just as other empires did.

What can members of local churches do to welcome asylum seekers living in their region? Robert Strong (Netherlands) suggests some easy steps we can follow.  

The legislation outlaws paying for sex, imposes fines for clients, and overturns the existing ban on solicitation. It is the fifth country in Europe to adopt this model. Christians in Europe welcome the decision. 

Doug Marshall (IAFR) shares about the situation of refugees in Malta. “I would challenge the political right [in Europe] to be a little bit more engaging. Especially if they claim to be Christian right.”

The Bodnariu family will also see the two older boys twice a week for two hours. “The battle for the children continues”, the family's spokesman wrote in a statement.

How is Malta a prototype of what could happen in the future in other European countries? How should we respond to far-right movements which offer 'easy solutions' to the crisis? Doug Marshall (IAFR) works with refugees in the Mediterranean island.

A survey shows that, for the first time ever, there are more in Norway who say they don’t believe in God than those who say they do.

The 2016 Refugee Highway Partnership Europe roundtable in Catania (Italy) gathered more than 80 people from 17 countries. Participants shared experiences, ideas and resources to better serve refugees in their countries. 

The Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) round tables gathered experts, Christian NGOs and church leaders in Catania to analyse the crisis Europe is facing and find ways to “offer integral help.”

Roundtable meetings in Sicily will bring together experts, organisations serving refugees and churches. The Refugee Highway Partnership in Europe has been offering this platform to share resources and learn from each other for 13 consecutive years.

“Whenever it is possible, the authorities work for minors to have good living conditions”, Minister-Counsellor in Spain says. Demonstrations arranged worldwide to support the Bodnariu family, many in Europe.

The victims were on two boats attempting to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece. Top officials from Denmark, Sweden and Germany will hold talks in Brussels.

According to the WEF, it will take 118 years to finally close the global gender pay gap. Women are earning now what men were 10 years ago.

The 12 bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran denomination backed the creation of a special liturgy for the marriage of same-sex couples. Roman Catholics and most independent evangelical churches keep defining marriage as a union solely between a man and a woman.

“It is fashionable to attack religion”, thinks Rodney Holder. New atheists are “not well informed about many aspects of Christianity”, adds Conway-Morris. Alister McGrath: “Atheism is noisy, has not good answers.”

Palaeontologist Simon Conway-Morris to Evangelical Focus: “There is absolutely no problem in combining a scientific career with being a person of faith.”