BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence H.T. Holmgaard METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260325T134500 DTEND:20260325T151500 DTSTAMP:20260325T134500 UID:2026/phd-defence-h-t-holmgaard@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260406T221110 LOCATION:(1st floor) Auditorium, Main building De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence H.T. Holmgaard X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Free Church Identity & Conversion

Converts offer a new perspective on the identity o f free churches in secular Denmark

The research focuses on the life stori es of people who have converted to Christianity from a secular backgr ound. According to the researcher, this group has often been understu died in previous studies. By focusing on their experiences, a more nu anced picture emerges of how church identity is experienced and shape d in practice.

The study shows that for many converts, the chur ch is primarily experienced as a community that develops around a sha red experience of God. According to the research results, this experi ence forms the core of the community and distinguishes it from other social contexts. Believers describe God as personal, loving, and acti vely present in their lives, an experience that is shared and strengt hened within the church community.

This identity is primarily e xpressed through concrete practices. Sung worship, prayer, Bible read ing, and catechesis appear to be important ways in which believers ex press their faith and strengthen their bond with the community. These activities function not only as religious rituals but also as moment s where a sense of community and faith experience converge.

Use of Spaces
A striking finding is that church iden tity also plays a role in the way spaces are used. According to the r esearch, believers often transform ordinary, secular spaces—such as rented halls or multifunctional buildings—into temporary sanctuari es. At the same time, social spaces emerge where people without a rel igious background can explore faith.

Connectedness within churc hes appears to be less based on clear boundaries between "inside" and "outside." Instead, it revolves around a shared orientation toward a spiritual center, shaped by shared practices, ethical standards, and the active involvement of members.

The research also has broad er societal significance. By showing how people from secular backgrou nds develop their faith, the study nuances the often simplistic view of conversion that exists within some Pentecostal-charismatic circles . Conversion rarely appears to be a sudden shift, but rather a proces s in which personal experiences, community, and daily practices combi ne to form a new identity.

According to Holmgaard, this insight helps us better understand how religious communities function in mod ern, secularized societies—and how they provide space for people se eking meaning and community.

More information on the thesis

DESCRIPTION:

Converts offer a new perspective on the identity of f ree churches in secular Denmark

Theologian Henrik Holmgaard's re search on converts in Pentecostal-charismatic churches in Copenhagen shows that church identity in these communities is primarily shaped b y shared religious experiences and daily practices. The study thus sh eds new light on the role of free churches in a highly secularized so ciety like Denmark. The research focuses on the life stories of peopl e who have converted to Christianity from a secular background. Accor ding to the researcher, this group has often been understudied in pre vious studies. By focusing on their experiences, a more nuanced pictu re emerges of how church identity is experienced and shaped in practi ce. The study shows that for many converts, the church is primarily e xperienced as a community that develops around a shared experience of God. According to the research results, this experience forms the co re of the community and distinguishes it from other social contexts. Believers describe God as personal, loving, and actively present in t heir lives, an experience that is shared and strengthened within the church community. This identity is primarily expressed through concre te practices. Sung worship, prayer, Bible reading, and catechesis app ear to be important ways in which believers express their faith and s trengthen their bond with the community. These activities function no t only as religious rituals but also as moments where a sense of comm unity and faith experience converge. Use of SpacesA striking finding is that church identity also plays a role in the way spaces are used. According to the research, believers often tran sform ordinary, secular spaces—such as rented halls or multifunctio nal buildings—into temporary sanctuaries. At the same time, social spaces emerge where people without a religious background can explore faith. Connectedness within churches appears to be less based on cle ar boundaries between "inside" and "outside." Instead, it revolves ar ound a shared orientation toward a spiritual center, shaped by shared practices, ethical standards, and the active involvement of members. The research also has broader societal significance. By showing how people from secular backgrounds develop their faith, the study nuance s the often simplistic view of conversion that exists within some Pen tecostal-charismatic circles. Conversion rarely appears to be a sudde n shift, but rather a process in which personal experiences, communit y, and daily practices combine to form a new identity. According to H olmgaard, this insight helps us better understand how religious commu nities function in modern, secularized societies—and how they provi de space for people seeking meaning and community. More information o n the thesis Free Church Identity & Conversion END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR