Your privacy is our policy. See our new Privacy Policy.


My church

As I grew up in the small town of Flekkefjord in the south-west of Norway, my church was a white brick church just a few meters from my home. In my church I could play, learn about Jesus, feel safe and meet kind people everywhere. I love my church!

When I got older I moved away to study at the university. I found my church in Rådhusgata in Kristiansand, in southern Norway. It is the oldest tree church in the whole of Kristiansand. In my church I could play, learn more about Jesus, learn others about Jesus, feel safe and meet kind people everywhere. I love my church!

After 5 years I had finished my studies, and it was time to get a job. My wife and I moved to Oslo, in the eastern part of Norway, and found our church in St. Olavsgt. That chruch is located in a modern office building, nothing like the wooden church in Kristiansand or the brick church in Flekkefjord. In our church we can play, learn even more about Jesus, learn others about Jesus, feel safe and meet kind people everywhere. We love our chruch!

When I am abroad, or just travelling about in Norway, I find my church many places: At Bramford Road (Ipswich, England), at Sommerfesten (an all-generations camp held each summer in southern Norway) at Forth Worth Hilton Hotel (in Texas, 2007 at «Living Faith, Seeking Justice»), in downtown Halden (Norway), at Hinde Street (London, England) and many, many other places.

A couple of days ago I found my church i Hyde Park, here in Tampa, Flordia. And yesterday I found my church in Tampa Convention Center.

My church is not a building.

My church is a movment.

My church is the United Methodist Church – and I love my church!


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Human Sexuality
The Rev. Joelle Henneman. Photo courtesy of the author.

Church can be sanctuary for trans lives

Transgender people are being legislated out of public life in the U.S., while United Methodist churches are opening their doors wider than ever.
Human Sexuality
Mountain Sky Conference Bishop Kristin Stoneking gives the benediction at the closing worship of Reconciling Ministries Network’s convocation held at First United Methodist Church in downtown Madison, Wis. The July 24-27 convocation, with the theme “Uncharted,” celebrated the removal of denomination-wide restrictions targeting LGBTQ people and also acknowledged the challenges ahead in a new denominational landscape. Photo by Joscie Cutchens, UM News.

LGBTQ advocates head for ‘uncharted’ territory

With The United Methodist Church’s removal of anti-gay stances, advocates for LGBTQ equality see reasons to celebrate but also challenges ahead in the denomination and wider world.
Racism
Bishop David Wilson. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Silence is complicity: Responding to racist mascots

The recent effort by President Trump to revive the former names of two professional sports franchises is traumatic for Native Americans.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved