Confirmation is usually understood as an affirmation (confirmation) of one's faith and infant baptism, but as we do not practice infant baptism in BCC, we do not hold a formal confirmation ceremony.

Most local churches in BCC offer teaching in the faith for young people aged 14-15. This faith education program concludes with a celebration in the local church, which may be referred to slightly different names in different places—for example, a Bible celebration, a Bible teaching celebration, or a reading celebration.

In recent years, we have worked to strengthen aculture of open communication within the church's organizations and have created opportunities for more people to contribute to the church’s growth and improvement. For example, members can get involved through the Annual General Meeting in their local church, in the Assembly of Representatives, in committees, or in working groups. There should be room to ask questions and share viewpoints in an objective and respectful manner.

Opponents have described BCC as a closed religious community, but this is a term we have publicly distanced ourselves from, as we are organized in the same way as other volunteer organizations and religious communities.

BCC has open meetings for everyone who wishes to hear and get to know our faith and doctrine.

The meetings are usually led by one of the church's elders or a person with local responsibility. Both women and men can contribute with prayer, a message, singing, or a testimony, and the program is often varied, with both young and old participating.

The assembly does not have paid preachers or elders, and usually has no trained theologians.

No, the Bible is our only authoritative scripture and the basis of our faith. Our beliefs are further based on the Christian teachings espoused by our founder, Johan Oscar Smith, but these writings do not replace God’s word. J.O. Smith’s literature is published by Hidden Treasures Publishers, a publication established in 1912.

BCC confesses faith in the triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—as described in our Statement of Faith.

BCC is known for proclaiming the doctrine of sanctification.

Sanctification is a lifelong process in which, after having been reconciled to God, the Holy Spirit helps believers grow in Christian virtues and become more like Jesus.

"Sanctification" is not a form of self-development, nor is it something we can achieve by exerting ourselves; rather, it is a life of faith, in which we develop by obeying the laws and commandments that the Holy Spirit writes into our hearts and minds, so that we have no basis for taking personal credit.

If you have an interest in delving into this topic, we recommend searching the literature portal of Hidden Treasures, or exploring at content on the YouTube channel Hidden Treasures of Sanctification.

God wants all people to be saved, and that is why, out of love, He sent His own Son into the world.

Jesus became a ransom, and was given power to forgive all the world's sin. We believe there is forgiveness and salvation available to all who “with their mouth confess that Jesus is Lord, and in their heart believe that God raised Him from the dead.” Furthermore, grace leads the believer into a lifelong process—salvation through Jesus' life. This entails taking up one’s cross and denying oneself every day, following Jesus. This is called sanctification.

Grace is God's free and unmerited mercy that meets people even before they seek Him. In grace, God chooses the believer for salvation, and through grace, we receive the forgiveness of sins and are justified, not by our own works, but by faith in Jesus' atonement.

Grace is also the power that works in the believer for a new life—for repentance, faith, and obedience. Through the Holy Spirit, grace becomes effective for growth in sanctification and conformity to Christ. The entire Christian life, from beginning to completion, is a work of God's grace.

Sin is everything that goes against God's will, whether in thought, word, or deed. There is a big difference between having sin and committing sin.

To have sin denotes the nature all humans are born with because of the Fall of Man—an inclination to seek our own instead of God's good will. To commit sin is when we choose to let this nature find expression in conscious actions or attitudes against God's will.

Sin separates people from God and makes us dependent on forgiveness and reconciliation. Through faith in Jesus, we can receive both the forgiveness of sins and the power to overcome consciously committing sin. But that we have sin becomes conscious to us by the light of the Holy Spirit. When sin is acknowledged and judged, we are freed from the power of sin, and come to growth in the life of Christ.

We do not practice sacraments in the traditional sense as a means of grace, but both the Lord's supper (communion) and baptism are designated as holy acts.

In BCC, believer's baptism (adult baptism) is practiced as a conscious act and an expression of a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ. We do not regard baptism as a sacrament that in itself provides salvation, but as an outward testimony that the one who is baptized enters into a covenant of a good conscience with God, as the apostle Peter describes it.

The baptismal act itself takes place by full immersion in water, as a symbol that the old man is buried and a new life arises with Christ. Baptism marks a commitment to a life in discipleship and sanctification, by the power of God's grace.

Yes. We believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of eternity.

In the Bible, Jesus speaks of two outcomes: eternal life in heaven for those who believe and hell as an eternal separation from God for those who reject Him. This has been a common understanding in Christian tradition.

The gospel is therefore about Jesus saving humanity from perdition by reconciling them with God through the cross. Jesus says: “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He submitted himself to be born into the world in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3), and here He was tempted in all things, yet without ever falling into sin. That is why He is our Savior and our forerunner, and we are called to follow in His footsteps. (1 Pet. 2:21-23).

The international BCC Federation is led by two bodies: the Assembly of Representatives and the Elders.
The Elders are the supreme authority in matters of faith and doctrine and are led by Kåre J. Smith. He has been the spiritual leader of the church since the 1990s.

The Assembly of Representatives is the supreme authority in legal and financial matters. Representatives are elected by Annual General Meetings in the local churches, and the Assembly consists of approximately 180 people from all over the world.

Membership is open to anyone who shares our objectives and wishes to live in accordance with the church's faith and teachings. If you are interested in becoming a member, you are more than welcome to contact a local church near you, or attend a Sunday meeting to get to know the church. If you are considering joining, you can contact the elder in the local church.

You can find BCC churches in over 50 countries, and contact information and meeting times are available on the local churches' websites; see the link below.

The church is organized as an international federation with local churches and eight central initiatives; BCC Music, BCC Media, BCC Event, BCC A-team, BCC Facilities, BCC Connect, BCC Fund, and the missions organization BMS International. Each organization has an independent board, management, and mission within the Federation's objectives.

The Elders and the Assembly of Representatives are located in the central organization and are the supreme authority of the BCC Federation.

Members over the age of 26 usually contribute to the donation model. This means that they pay a percentage of their income as a donation to the church. The level varies from country to country, but the donation model shall not exceed 10% of gross income.

The donation model covers, among other things, costs for local church life, participation and catering at conferences at Brunstad, central initiatives, missionary work, and digital content. The means-based donation model is voluntary, but adults who actively participate in the church's activities are encouraged to contribute.

Children and youth under the age of 26 participate in BCC's meetings and conferences free of charge.

BCC's headquarters is located in Norway, in the municipality of Moss. The central organization and several other entities in the BCC Federation have offices here.

It varies slightly from country to country, but for the most part, Sunday school, youth meetings, and faith education are organized as part of BCC, i.e., the church.

Many young people and adults spend their free time creating activities and being good role models for the younger ones, which builds community across generations.

The BCC Federation has a number of associated children's and youth associations that offer leisure activities and sports. To be a mentor in a club for children or young people, a police certificate must be submitted and the "Safe Children" [in Norway] course must be completed.

Yes, and our form of mission is about connecting individuals with Jesus, so that they can obtain a personal faith in the gospel. A large membership is not a goal in and of itself.

In developing countries, enthusiasts with a heart for the gospel have conducted missionary work and humanitarian work as "help to self-help." Christian social entrepreneurship have provided vocational training, and new jobs, giving young people a chance to support themselves.

The missions projects have therefore had many ripple effects, with individuals who have the skills and desire to make a positive contribution to their communities emerging in otherwise impoverished regions.

In recent years, BCC has particularly prioritized developing digital communication, in order to reach all corners of the world with the Christian message of sanctification.

Brunstad Christian Church began in Horten, Norway, and has a presence in more than 50 countries.

It started with one man who turned to God, Johan Oscar Smith. He spoke with people he met about his understanding of the Bible and his faith, and found individuals who shared the same longing. Gradually, communities of like-minded people emerged, which developed into local churches. Smith was a naval officer, and more than 100 years later, there are still churches in many towns along the Norwegian coast, where he went ashore during World War I.

In the 1920s, Smith and several other evangelists travelled to Denmark and established new contacts, eventually expanding their reach further throughout Europe.

When Brunstad was purchased in 1956, they had a place to invite new contacts, which helped make the community more international.

In the decades that followed, churches were established on all continents. Today, a significant number of our members live in Norway, where we have 19 local churches. Further, the church is widespread throughout Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.