Press Release

Published 25.02.2010 Author: Federation of Swiss Protestan Churches

FSPC publishes migration churches study

"New Migration Churches in Switzerland" is the title of an FSPC study published today. The study presents factual material interlaced with theological and sociological thinking. It also recommends action in relation to the new migration churches in Switzerland, which number more than 300.

Christian migrants from Latin America, Africa and Asia have founded more than 300 different new churches in Switzerland to date. The study now published, "New Migration Churches in Switzerland," is a contribution by the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) to a clearer understanding of this complex phenomenon.

The study is the first nationwide summary of the forms of organisation, numbers and membership of the migration churches. By asking theological and sociological questions, it focuses on the relations between these churches, society at large, and Switzerland's indigenous churches. Church has a new, exotic, multi-faceted look, which challenges the Christian understanding of community. What opportunities does integration success offer for the multiplicity of the Protestant church community in Switzerland? The study deals with points of theological sensitivity, such as the practice of corporate worship, mission, and understandings of the Bible and church office.

"Being church together" is the central idea of this study, which offers ideas for practical action. The main aims are to promote engagement with the migration churches, improve national networking on specific issues, support the migration churches as they help their own members to integrate, and open out Swiss church structures, both to migration churches and individual migrants.

"The encounter between the national churches and the new migration churches offers opportunities for both sides", notes FSPC President Thomas Wipf, referring to the study. The national churches could help to strengthen the migration churches as institutions. The migration churches, in turn, could contribute valuable variety and vigour. Wipf added, "we must make the most of this vigour, in society and in our churches".

Note: The study (127 pages, in german and french) can be downloaded free from the FSPC shop at www.sek.ch/shop or ordered as a hard copy for CHF 15 plus postage.*

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