I belong where I can participate : A qualitative interview study of how The Churchof Sweden and EvangeliskaFosterlandsstiftelsen attracts the youth nto theChristian fellowship

This study intends to examine, discuss and compare how The Church of Sweden: Svenskakyrkan, and the co-church Evangeliska Fosterlandsstiftelsen (EFS) in north Sweden attractsmembers, especially the youth. The study rests on a hypothesis based on sociological theoriesthat EFS attracts more members due to its understanding of community, fellowship, belongingand identity.Scholars like Fredrik Modéus and Martin Modéus debates that the major transformations andchanges in The Church of Sweden in the twentieth century have affected the congregations’role and participation in the church. The view of the congregation as the centre of the churchhas shifted and the congregation have been given a more secondary role in the church. TheChurch of Sweden has developed a professionalism witch gives the congregation less space toparticipate and work voluntarily.To examine the hypothesis 10 qualitative interviews have been conducted with preachers andeducators from the two churches. The interviews were then analysed with hermeneutic andphenomenology as methods. The results show that the churches have different views on itscongregations and the participations of members; which affects the sense of fellowship andbelonging to the church. EFS view on voluntary work and fellowship can be two of thereasons EFS attracts new members