FrikirkeNet's comment on the case regarding Byens Kirke in Silkeborg

May 24, 2016

We are shocked to hear about what has taken place at Byens Kirke in Silkeborg. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the victims, who have our deepest sympathy. We will do everything in our power to support and help them. In addition to the professional services provided by the police and social authorities, the churches that FrikirkeNet collaborates with in Silkeborg are available to the victims for support and assistance to whatever extent they may desire.

The first time we heard that there were problems at Byens Kirke was six years ago, when it came to light that things were happening at the church that are very far removed from FrikirkeNet's ethics and values. This included, among other things, manipulation and sectarian behavior.

We therefore welcomed the fact that the pastor was first suspended and subsequently excluded from the Pentecostal leadership network. We also welcomed the fact that the pastor was reported to the police and that Byens Kirke was later excluded from the Danish Pentecostal churches, as Byens Kirke would not distance itself from the pastor.

Furthermore, we would like to commend the Pentecostal churches for contacting the American Pentecostal denomination Assemblies of God to express concern regarding the pastor's attempts to establish a new church in Orlando, Florida.

What has now come to light is far more serious than what we were aware of taking place at Byens Kirke in 2010 and 2012. The only positive thing that can be said is that these matters have been brought to light and reported to the police. 

With the exclusions in 2010 and 2012, Byens Kirke and the pastor received the strongest possible signal that their actions were in conflict with our ethics and values.

At any time, and not least in light of this case, we will warmly welcome initiatives that promote openness and transparency in the many associations and organizations in Denmark. At FrikirkeNet, we have a strong focus on the importance of being accountable to others. We strongly recommend that every individual church has a structure with oversight in the form of supervisors from other churches, which can help ensure that unhealthy structures and environments do not develop.

Tonny Jacobsen
Spokesperson for FrikirkeNet

FrikirkeNet is a network of free churches, institutions, and organizations from the Pentecostal movement, the Apostolic Church, the Mission Covenant Church, the Baptist Church, as well as independent free churches and house churches.