I am not surprised by the recent developments of Ungdomsstyrelsen to freeze the funding of a number of Christian youth associations, (they responsible on behalf of the state in relationship to youth associations). They have to consider the issue of discrimination about which I wrote in an earlier blog. I have been waiting for this kind of confrontations for a long time. Recently at the EFK kongress (congress of the Evangelical Free Church in Sweden) I proposed that we gave our national board within the movement the responsibility to prepare a proposal on how we could become less dependent on State funding, and the decision was made to do so for our next congress in two years.

No matter what the outcome of the meetings of Ungdomsstyrelsen and the different youth associations will be, one doesn’t need to be a prophet to state that similar issues will be addressed in the near future with greater intensity and pressure from many other “politically correct” organizations and lobbying groups whose agenda is to erase all (true) Christian influence from the public sphere.

There is no doubt in my mind that those organizations and churches which have a steady value – and theological ground in the Bible will be sidelined and reduced to mere spectators in the public area. If their unwillingness to compromise forces them to that place of retreat than so it must happen.

However, there is the important question to consider: What is the place of the Church in a modern democracy? Frank Prochaska who researched the history of the church and welfare provision in England begins his study with a statement: “Christianity must be maintained at any cost in the bosom of modern democracies”.

New generations easily forget. We are often reacting as existentialists; we act as if we have no roots, nor any history. The fact is that so much of our welfare and social provision has been built up by churches and organizations (both Christian and non-Christian). And even today churches and volunteer organizations are filling the gaps that exist in our social welfare system. Throughout the history of the Church, the Church has been the initiator ad prophetic innovator of much which we today consider as “normal” care (whether social, mental or spiritual care).

Healthy democracy thrives on the associational life of the community. Churches and other associations are in that sense the backbone of a healthy society. The fact that so many of our associations (föreningar) are dwindling down in numbers could be like a sign on the wall for our society and well being of our nation. The so called professionalization of our welfare and care which has gone on for many years in our nation has created a powerless and initiative-less quenching an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset. Many “exposed groups” in our society start suffering as our government through downsizing and withdrawal of support undermine our so-called welfare system. Here, the role of churches, associations and other organizations become more and more crucial to be able to maintain a healthy support structure to those who are in need – so in many ways we are needed to sustain our society.

If our society and governing body doesn’t understand this phenomenon and its consequences, but continues to “force” value – and beliefs free  praxis in our activities and ministries (is anything ever value and beliefs free?), I will leave the game played on the field under the authority of the referee appointed by the state!

But I won’t go to the sidelines to watch the game continue… I will form another league with other teams to continue to play on the arena of this world providing hope and light to those whose lives have been overcome by the powers of this age! No state-funding, nor “impossibilities” will keep me away from doing that what God has given His Church to do as He sent us into this world with the same mission which Jesus had!

Lord Carey from England once said it so clear: ‘If we behave like doormats, don’t be surprised if we are treated as though we are,’  ’People, it is time to return to the public square!’

That’s the Way I see it!

John