Between Criticism and Loyalty. The Laestadian Lyngen Group's Relation to the Church of Norway

Abstract Since the Laestadian movement reached northern Norway in the 1850s, it has developed as an autonomous group within the state church. In some periods the relationship has been harmonious, while in other periods it has been a relation of tension and conflict. In 2009 the tension between the Lyngen group and the church leadership once again became visible. The actual occasion was the proposals for new liturgies for the church presented by the Church National Council in 2008. The Laestadians sent two declarations to the diocese in Tromsø, stating that the church had betrayed the Evangelic-Lutheran confession. They threatened to leave the church if the conditions for Lutheran ecclesiastical practise became unacceptable. The critical event of changes in liturgies could drive the Lyngen group to grow more independent from the church, following the example of other lay groups. Since the 1990s several groups inside the church organization have developed their own separate liturgical practises. Analysis of the situation reveals that the relationship between the Lyngen group and the church leadership was renewed and confirmed by the statements given in 2009, and by active Laestadian participation in the local church councils.