A Taste of World Christianity
Stian Sørlie Eriksen, Tomas Sundnes Drønen, Lemma DestaAbstract
The article discusses migration and mission in context of World Christianity and the city of Stavanger, Norway. Taking a historical and a contemporary point of departure, the article compares and discusses how early Norwegian mission history and immigration to America may compare with experiences related to present-day immigration to Norway and the establishing of migrant churches in Stavanger and Norway. First, the article describes how Christian traditions rooted in Stavanger in southwestern Norway influenced and connected churches and ecclesiastical traditions in America, Africa, and beyond. Secondly, the article looks at the role of Norwegian immigrant churches in America for early Norwegian settlers. Thirdly, the article discusses current-day migrant churches such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God and their presence and mission in Stavanger and Norway. Comparing these perspectives, the discussion highlights issues related to identity, language, and spiritual needs of immigrant communities living in transnational tensions between preservation and adaptation.