Who we are
OiC includes people from a wide range of Christian denominations or church backgrounds and nationalities. We love the cultural and ethnic differences the people of OiC bring to our services and see them as positive resources that enrich our community. We gather for one reason that brings us together: the grace of God and his love revealed in Jesus Christ.
We were founded in 2004 as an international evangelical church, affiliated with NMS (Norwegian Missionary Society). This is a Lutheran mission organisation within the Lutheran church of Norway.
Our church services on Sundays are held in English. On weekdays we meet in our homes in smaller groups we call growth groups. Our Sunday School, OiC Kids, is held in both Norwegian and English.
Whether you are Norwegian or from other countries, a Christian or just curious; you are most welcome to our fellowship!
What we believe
OiC has roots in The Norwegian Missionary Society (NMS) and the Church of Norway (Dnk) and welcomes people from all denominations. We draw our theological basis from the Reformation and seek to be cross-denominational. Our congregation is made up of people from wide spectrum of Christian belief.
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Building a Community of Hospitality
Community Where We Are
We come from near and far, from this very city and country and from all over the world. Yet for many different reasons and seasons we find ourselves here, in Oslo. OiC is a community for this time and place, a community filled with people who can meet us where we are. Sometimes people who have called OiC home move on to new places or new phases, and we like to say that every going is a sending, praying for them in their transition.
Community Around a Table
We believe community is built around tables of fellowship where Christ is present—the table of Holy Communion, the tables of Church Coffee after the service, and our kitchen tables at home throughout the week. Our tables are spaces for sharing our lives in a tangible, incarnational way.
Community of Prayer
In our services, in our small groups, and even in our social media groups, we share our lives, bringing them to God together in prayer. In prayer we come before God, not only as individuals, but also as a family of faith.
Community of Generosity
We follow Christ in our generosity; giving our time, our hearts, our homes, our skills, our resources to each other. We give when there is a need in the community, we give each Sunday to make the service happen, and we give to support the church financially. In OiC, there is an open invitation to give yourself to others, and to allow them to give to you as well.
Community for All Seasons
OiC is made up of people of varying ages, stages of life, and seasons of the soul. We come from different cultures and languages, different denominations and styles of engaging with our faith. Our stories are diverse, but we gather together to share this time and space with each other. We worship, pray, learn, and grow together.