Brunstad Christian Church facts for kids

The Brunstad Christian Church (BCC) is a Christian church found all over the world. It's a type of church that focuses on the Bible and doesn't belong to a larger group of churches. It started in Norway in the early 1900s.

Today, it has over 220 churches in more than 54 countries. In 2016, there were over 20,000 members worldwide. Most of its members live outside Norway. For a long time, the church didn't have a formal name. People in Norway often called them Smith's Friends.

How the Church Started

Johan O. Smith, the church's founder

The church was founded by Johan Oscar Smith (1871–1943). He was first a member of the United Methodist Church in Norway. In 1898, Smith had a special religious experience. After this, he began sharing his beliefs with small groups of people.

In 1905, his brother Aksel Smith (1880–1919) joined him. Johan Oscar Smith also met Elias Aslaksen (1888–1976) in 1908. This happened while Smith was serving in the Royal Norwegian Navy.

Growing the Church

With Johan Oscar Smith, Aksel Smith, and Elias Aslaksen leading, the group grew quickly. During World War I, Smith was a Naval officer. He patrolled the Norwegian coast. This helped him meet new believers and start churches in many coastal towns.

In the 1930s, churches were also started in inland Norway. These were mainly in areas like Hallingdal and Valdres. During this time, new churches also opened in Denmark.

Spreading Worldwide

From the 1950s, the church began to spread across Western Europe. This included countries like Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Church leaders were invited to special conferences in Germany.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Brunstad Christian Church grew even more. It reached Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, Australia, Africa, and Asia. The first churches in South America were started in the 1970s.

Today, there are over 220 churches in more than 65 countries. The church holds big international meetings at Oslofjord Convention Center. They also have smaller meetings around the world.

The church has its own publishing house called Skjulte Skatters Forlag. This group publishes books and videos for spiritual learning. A monthly magazine, Skjulte Skatter ('Hidden Treasures'), has been published since 1912.

How the Church Works

The Brunstad Christian Church is a group of about 220 churches worldwide. It does not have official clergy like priests or pastors. Also, few members have special training in theology.

Leaders are chosen in each local church. They are picked based on their good character and how much members trust them. Leaders are not elected by voting. When Johan Oscar Smith passed away in 1943, Elias Aslaksen became the main leader. After him, Sigurd Bratlie took over in 1976. Then, Kåre J. Smith [no] became the leader in 1996. The church is independent and doesn't have many formal ties with other churches.

Members Around the World

The Brunstad Christian Church has members in many countries. Here is a list of how many members were in different places in 2016:

What the Church Teaches

Conference at Oslofjord Convention Center

The Brunstad Christian Church believes that the Bible is the word of God. Their main beliefs come from the New Testament. Key parts of their faith include:

• Belief in Jesus as God's son.
• Belief in the Holy Spirit.
• Belief in the forgiveness of sin.
• Practicing baptism and the Lord's Supper.

They teach that forgiveness of sins is a gift from God. This gift is received when someone believes in Jesus Christ. They baptize adults by fully dipping them into water.

Like other evangelical churches, the Bible is very important. They believe it literally. Books and writings by past and present leaders are also highly valued. The most important writings are the monthly magazine, Skjulte Skatter, and Smith's Letters. These letters were written by Johan O. Smith, mostly to his brother Aksel and Elias Aslaksen.

The church says it is different from other evangelical groups. They believe that Jesus not only died to forgive sins. They also believe he was tempted to sin, just like all humans. The church teaches that Jesus' victory over sin helps believers overcome sin in their own lives. This process is called sanctification, which means becoming more like Jesus.

Helping Others

Sigurd Bratlie

The Brunstad Christian Church is involved in missionary work. This means they share their beliefs with people around the world. They also do humanitarian work, which is helping people in need globally.