France

by Steph Ortiz | published on Dec 21, 2014

The Reformed Church of France (ERF) has a rich history, originating from the work of John Calvin. Its first synod was held in 1559. Thereafter it suffered severe persecution and martyrdom through more than two centuries of Roman Catholic domination in France. In the 19th century the Reformed Church suffered further from theological conflict within itself, resulting in a split into separate churches. In 1938, the divided bodies were finally reunited, joined at that time also by the small French Methodist Church. The ERF continues to live as a small minority ΓÇô only 1.5% of the population of France. It has 350,000 members in about 500 congregations. Its strength in the past was concentrated in rural areas in widely scattered areas of the country, and the decline of the rural population and rapid change to an industrialized society has posed a further challenge for the church. Still, in spite of small numbers, the ERF maintains an active, progressive, and responsible role in its witness amid an overwhelmingly secular society. Its leaders report that in recent years in this most extremely de-christianized country in a generally de-christianized Europe, there has been a resurgence of interest in spirituality, as people look again to the churches for answers they have failed to find from other sources. Pray for …the Reformed Church of France in its ministries and witness …missionary Tim Rose, serving migrants and refugees without status, language, or opportunities Mission Personnel Timothy Rose Program assistant, Refugee Migrant Program of the Reformed Church of France Partners The Reformed Church of France

France is located in Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain.

The Reformed Church of France and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of France decided in 2007 to come together into a new church. The United Protestant Church of France has been gradually established over the months since the last national synod, in May 2012. In the autumn the local churches voted to join the new church, which will hold its first national synod in Lyon from 9th to 12th May 2013. The creation of the United Protestant Church of France will mean some changes.

From 1st January 2013, the titles “Reformed Church of France” and “Evangelical Lutheran Church of France” will no longer be used. The new church will be known as the United Protestant Church of France (with the official name in French of Eglise protestante unie de France).

The Protestant community in France comprises roughly 4% of the French population, among a majority Catholic population. In spite of small numbers, the Protestant church maintains an active, progressive, and responsible role in its witness amid an overwhelmingly secular society.

Its leaders report that in recent years in this most extremely de-christianized country in a generally de-christianized Europe, there has been a resurgence of interest in spirituality, as people look again to the churches for answers they have failed to find from other sources.

Population (2014 est) – 66,259,012

Area – 342,700mi

Capital – Paris

Ethnic Background

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities

Exports – machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages

Imports – machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals

Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 79 years F 85 years

Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 3.31 deaths/1,000 live births

Adult Illiteracy Rate – 1%