Drs Arjanna Flier-Honkoop conducted research on intercultural churchgoing. The conclusions are worth sharing! The study provides insights into how local congregations engage in intercultural faith contacts. It also contains practical tools for congregations that would like to engage more with migrants in faith.
In search of connection
A case study of intercultural churching
Equal intercultural faith contacts in the church: not easy, but definitely worthwhile! The Samen Geloven project was recently launched to provide guidance on intercultural faith contacts between migrants and Dutch churches. But how do these contacts actually arise and, perhaps more importantly, how do they last? Drs Arjanna Flier-Honkoop conducted research.
Motivations differ
In this study on intercultural faith contacts, four local congregations within the PKN were interviewed. The outcomes were compared with insights from the literature. This provided important insights into what is already happening, what needs and initiatives exist and what factors hinder or strengthen faith relations.
One thing is certain: being an intercultural church does not come naturally. Churches and migrants also often seek connection from different motivations. The Dutch church mostly seeks connection through diaconate and from social motivation, while the migrant is more looking for faith conversations. "I think it's nice that churches help people with Christmas parcels, financial help... But migrants need something more important: the peace of God," says an Arab Christian migrant.
More than a guest
The case study ends with concrete recommendations for the local church. Drs Flier-Honkoop: "It is important for migrants to be received as a full part of the congregation and to be given responsible tasks in the church, so that they are not just 'guests' but belong. We also ask churches to listen to specific needs of migrants and realise that many migrants like to ask questions of faith. So churches need not be shy about engaging in faith conversations."
Believing together
The study was conducted as part of the project Believing Together. Samen Geloven wants to guide and equip churches to shape intercultural churching and engage in intercultural faith contacts. The project is an initiative of the Faith Integration and Church in Action of the PKN.
Order research brochure
Want to know more about motives, obstacles and success factors around intercultural church? Order the research brochure for €3 or download the visual summary of the study via www.samengeloven.org/onderzoek
