Almost 100 churches across Europe – from east to west, from north to south – and even four more across the Atlantic on the River Plate. Such diversity, and yet they are all united by one thing: a shared faith that is alive. In our new series, the member churches of the CPCE introduce themselves so that we can get to know one another better, share successful initiatives as examples of best practice, delight in the beauty of church diversity, and stand by one another even in difficult times.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH in DENMARK
1. Position & Unique Features
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark (ELCD) is the biggest church in Denmark and beyond being church is also has a historical and cultural role in the Danish society. It is mentioned in the constitution, it has close relations with the state, and it is taking care of the civil registration.
It has 4,2 mio. members (70% of the population), and consists of 10 Dioceses, 102 Deaneries, 2.113 parishes, 1.561 parish councils, +2.300 church buildings and approx. 2.250 pastors.
There is no centralized structure such as a synod, but the church is ordered in close cooperation between parish councils, deans and bishops together with the Danish parliament. At the same time, Denmark is a secular society.
The ELCD has good and close interchurch and ecumenical relations with churches and organisations in Denmark either bilateral or via The National Council of Churches in Denmark. ELCD is a member of The Lutheran World Federation, World Council of Churches, Conference of European Churches, Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe and The Porvoo Communion.
2. Best Practices / Successful Initiatives
There has been an increase in young people joining the church. In 2025 the number of young people baptized before confirmation (age13-15) was 4253 compared to 2362 in 2007. This can partly be explained by fewer being baptized as infants. Furthermore, in 2024 one in five unbaptized teenagers chose baptism, which is an increase over the last 10 years.
Initiatives to prevent a foreseeable lack of pastors in the near future, allowing academics with other degrees than theology to apply for individual extra academic/theological education and become pastors have had substantial interest, even though it is still too early to see if it will be enough to counter the lack of pastors needed in the years to come.
Baby Hymn-singing has enjoyed rapid growth since its general inception in Denmark in 2003. The concept has managed to reach out to both churchgoers as well as a part of the community that is usually not frequent churchgoers. Today the Baby Hymn-singing concept is found in many local congregations throughout the country.
3. Current Challenges
Like many other churches in Europe, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark is facing decreasing membership percentage, which is both due to secularisation, immigration and loss of tradition. Connected to this is the decrease of baptisms. Another issue is the many old church buildings which are costly to maintain, especially in areas where less people now live.
4. Significance of CPCE Membership
Being part of CPCE as well as other church communions is one way of engaging/complying with the words of the creed as being part of ‘the holy Christian church’ as we confess every Sunday at the service. For this we need communion with others, and we need to live it with others. This is also furthered by inspiration from the CPCE texts and study documents as well as representatives being part of processes related to these.
In Denmark the CPCE membership has impacted our ecumenical work as the Evangelical Lutheran Church and The United Methodist Church in Denmark after years of theological dialogue were able to confirm church communion on the national level based on the Leuenberg Agreement. This was confirmed in 2018 and marked with two ecumenical services where the national agreement was signed. Trustful dialogue is ongoing.
Fotocredit: Jaques Corydon