Jan Wolsheimer (Director of Missie Nederland) analyses the controversy surrounding a document on homosexuality signed by many evangelical pastors. “Dutch Christians are not very keen to import culture wars from the US”.

Around 250 Protestant leaders of the Netherlands, including pastors and politicians, signed the document on marriage and sexuality. Pro-LGBT groups denounced it.

“We want the sensitivity of an important part of the population to be translated into regulations that effectively attack this social scourge”, the Spanish Evangelical Alliance says.

The laws punishes human trafficking, but prostitution remains unregulated. Christian organisation Esclavitud XXI hopes the Nordic Model will be adopted soon.

One in four Western Europeans say they are atheists, agnostics or have no particular religion, says a new Pew Research study conducted in 15 countries.

“In 20 or 30 years’ time, mainstream churches will be smaller, but the few people left will be highly committed”, says British social of religion professor Stephen Bullivant.

Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and three other European countries are in the top-10. What should Christian mission look like in such countries?

Fueled by the desire to “see more workers in the harvest field”, MOSTY (the Czech word for bridges) not only aims to see short-term missionaries involved in mission, but also to serve the sending churches abroad.

Companies in several countries work to eradicate plastic packaging.

More than 140 delegates of about 50 organisations met in the Netherlands. Training and resources were offered in specific workshops.

Remembering the Dutch reformer, Hendrik de Cock.

The largest increase in euthanasia cases is among people that are not expected to die in the near future. Belgium is the first country in the world with no age restrictions for euthanasia.

Child euthanasia, a reality in Belgium.

The Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) roundtable brings together people from across Europe every year. “Christians can guide refugees and help them meet the Prince of Peace and the Real Comforter which is Jesus”.

Modern Catholicism is “a synthesis of medieval essentialism and modern existentialism”, the Dutch philosopher and theologian Cornelius Van Til said.

This educationalist, Prime Minister and theologian has left an imprint on Dutch churches, schools, media and politics visible even a full century later.

A journey back into the past has encouraged us to believe that God is not yet finished with Europe.

Notice how many buddha statues or wall hangings are for sale in local garden centres, or in home improvement centres, or cosmetic shops.

The Turkish President continues inflammatory rhetoric against EU leaders. April referendum could expand his powers.

Eight in ten citizens voted in key elections. Far-right candidate only gets 13% of the vote and Right-wing Liberal Mark Rutte will try tro form government. Christians are called to “ministry of reconciliation”, evangelicals say.

A climate of tension surrounds the Dutch general election, which will be held on Wednesday 15. The Missie Nederland General Secretary, Jan C. Wessels, hopes “the values of the Dutch people, which are partly rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, will conquer.”

Whether the election results swing left or right, the church will always steer its own course. And she will not be afraid to be critical of the government where the gospel would require. A manifesto by theologians Janneke Stegeman and Alain Verheij.

The European Evangelical Alliance warns about “the growing phenomenon of angry, polarising, post-truth rhetoric that is infecting political debate in many nations, including the Netherlands.”

Experts in migration Anita Delhaas and Noemi Mena have founded “a platform which helps refugees through building networks, education and employment opportunities.”

I wish our public discourse would reflect the complexity of life more fully.