How is BCC organized?
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.
Questions in the same category
How much do leaders in BCC earn?
The preaching ministry is unpaid in BCC—this means that youth leaders and elders are not employed and paid to preach or perform pastoral care.
Everyone elected to the Assembly of Representatives serves in that capacity on a volunteer basis. The Assembly of Representatives' Secretariat consists of employees who receive salaries; this is disclosed annually in the notes to the financial statements.
Other leaders who are employed for practical tasks are compensated at a level corresponding to their responsibilities and duties.
What properties does BCC own?
The BCC Federation, which is the international central organization for Brunstad Christian Church, does not itself own any properties.
The missions organization BMS, which is an American organization in the BCC Federation, owns a number of missions sites around the world.
Many local churches own a church building where they have meetings and gatherings weekly.
From 1956 until the early 2000s, the church owned the property at Brunstad. Ownership was then transferred to a foundation in order to make a clear distinction between the church as a religious community and property management.
Who is the leader of BCC?
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.
How can I become a member of BCC?
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.
What does it cost to be a member of BCC?
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.
Where is the head BCC office?
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.
How is BCC’s children’s and youth work organized?
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.
Does BCC engage in missionary work?
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.
