1. What are the most burning issues you are facing regarding the role of the churches in your society? 

The most burning issues in the Netherlands for the Protestant Church are:

·         The discussions about the separation of church and state. At the moment the Dutch Government seems to be very anxious about religious influences in the public debate. For example: a primary Christian school which refuses a homosexual teacher to their team. Or the nomination of a imam for the Dutch army who had sad some critical things about the Dutch prime minister (In the Netherlands religious organizations are allowed to choose the cleric who will serve in the army) . These issues raise a lot of discussion in the Dutch media about separation of church and state.

Can a Christian school refuse a teacher, because of his sexuality or is this discrimination? Should the government interfere in the nominations procedure of an imam for the Dutch army, because of his political opinion?   How should the church respond to matters like these in an environment that proclaims a strict separation between church and state?

·         The continuing upcoming of the right wing politician Geert Wilders. Geert Wilders and his party are really a one-issue-party. Their main subject is ‘Islam’. His party is against Islam, Muslims and the Koran. During the last elections for the European Union his party has won four seats (not just because of his opinion about Islam but also because of the euro skepticism of this party). They had zero seats. Since a few years he is popular in the Netherlands, also among Christians. The message of this party seems to comfort a lot of people. However the church feels we have to meet Muslims instead of judge them.   How can the church respond to the anti Islam feelings of a lot Dutch people but also spread the message of dialogue?

·         The religious analphabetism in the Netherlands. The position of churches moved from the centre of society to the borders of society. Especially young generations don’t know anything about the church and Christianity. Big question: how can churches reach those people?

2. How can the fellowship of member churches support the churches in the situation you are facing?

It would be interesting to share stories with churches with the same challenges. Probably more European churches experience the same ‘burning issues’.

3. In which regard and how can your experience enrich and be of relevance to the fellowship?

Despite, or maybe thanks to, our ‘burning issues’ I feel that the Protestant in the Netherlands (PCN) is a lively church. The church doesn’t walk away from these issues, there is a lot of intellectual reflection going on, a new élan to challenge these issues. See the press release on General Synod reviews Church-ministries-policy.

Besides I feel that the Protestant Church can be of relevance to the fellowship, because of her ecumenical attitude, the equal way they tread young and old, women and man, black and white, lay and ordained etc. Also within the organization of the church.