I came across this thread with considerable interest, I've done a good deal of ministering in Europe. Germany's been mentioned as especially fertile ground for doing missionary work and settlement by Christians from North America and Australia/NZ who learn German, there are IMHO 2 big reasons why. BTW, if you haven't considered emigrating to Germany yet, then definitely consider it now-- both in terms of ministry opportunities and also quality of life for a working person and family, Germany really is without peer today due to some unique historical circumstances, with room for millions of Christians to enter and flourish as emissaries of the Gospel over the next decade. It'll probably take you at least a couple years between the time you decide to emigrate and when you actually go, so definitely keep the option in mind early!
One reason is that Germany is an explicitly Christian nation, one of the very few remaining in the Western world. Note that most countries in Europe and even in North America deny any explicit Christian nature in spite of their history. Germany however, is still specifically and legally self-declared as a Christian country. The current ruling party in Germany for example, is called the Christian Democratic Union, and many other important institutions in Germany explicitly make reference to their Christian nature. So in contrast to other Western nations that don't question the trend toward secularization, Germany explicitly welcomes efforts to again instill the Christian faith throughout the land.
This is why so many have been perceiving a surprisingly favorable environment in Germany for missionary efforts by Americans, Canadians and Australians who speak (or learn) German, and especially those who want to emigrate to and actually settle in one of the German states. There actually is such official support, or at least a favorable inclination, for what we're doing.
The second factor, is that Germany is working hard to attract Christian migrants (especially those with some Germanic or northern Celtic/Slavic ancestry, and thus some ancient connection to what became Germany) to populate the east of Germany in particular.
Remember, Germany was only recently reunified just over 15 years ago, and since then, eastern Germany has been depopulated since the former East Germans were so eager to move to the more economically vibrant western Germany. The German officials recognize a need therefore, to repopulate eastern Germany in particular, which is why they look favorably on immigrants from e.g. the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who move there, especially if they have an interest in promoting ministry and function in German as soon as possible. That's another reason why so many of us here have apparently been perceiving a favorable environment, it's real there.
As has been mentioned, eastern Germany is a dream region to settle in, as it's very advanced, with some of the world's most gorgeous cities from Leipzig, Berlin, Potsdam and others, but with a low cost-of-living and low housing costs due to recent developments. And of course, numerous opportunities to establish new churches and undertake ministry.
I know I've been emphasizing the language here but it bears repeating: you don't need to be fluent in German when you're starting out, but you have to become at least proficient after you get there. Germany is an extremely advanced country and you simply cannot function there, in ministry or anything else, unless you are at least willing to put in the effort to learn the German language, then actively use it as the language of your home, job and of course, your ministry itself. If you have children or soon will have them, make sure they get as much German immersion learning as they can. As others have been pointing out here, it really is very, very easy to get fluent in colloquial German from a native English-speaking background.
Besides Germany, I'd agree that much of France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium are great places to minister. (Though, again, learn the local language in each case!) I actually think that the Netherlands is a good place to minister as well, their outlook has really become much more receptive to us in the past few years. They're a well-educated population but much more Christian at heart than many of us realize, both in the big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam and elsewhere. Though, once again, you have to learn Dutch to be effective there. You don't need to know it at first, but they will kick you out if you don't at least make efforts to learn and use the Dutch language there. Besides, you will need it for your ministry efforts.
One reason is that Germany is an explicitly Christian nation, one of the very few remaining in the Western world. Note that most countries in Europe and even in North America deny any explicit Christian nature in spite of their history. Germany however, is still specifically and legally self-declared as a Christian country. The current ruling party in Germany for example, is called the Christian Democratic Union, and many other important institutions in Germany explicitly make reference to their Christian nature. So in contrast to other Western nations that don't question the trend toward secularization, Germany explicitly welcomes efforts to again instill the Christian faith throughout the land.
This is why so many have been perceiving a surprisingly favorable environment in Germany for missionary efforts by Americans, Canadians and Australians who speak (or learn) German, and especially those who want to emigrate to and actually settle in one of the German states. There actually is such official support, or at least a favorable inclination, for what we're doing.
The second factor, is that Germany is working hard to attract Christian migrants (especially those with some Germanic or northern Celtic/Slavic ancestry, and thus some ancient connection to what became Germany) to populate the east of Germany in particular.
Remember, Germany was only recently reunified just over 15 years ago, and since then, eastern Germany has been depopulated since the former East Germans were so eager to move to the more economically vibrant western Germany. The German officials recognize a need therefore, to repopulate eastern Germany in particular, which is why they look favorably on immigrants from e.g. the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who move there, especially if they have an interest in promoting ministry and function in German as soon as possible. That's another reason why so many of us here have apparently been perceiving a favorable environment, it's real there.
As has been mentioned, eastern Germany is a dream region to settle in, as it's very advanced, with some of the world's most gorgeous cities from Leipzig, Berlin, Potsdam and others, but with a low cost-of-living and low housing costs due to recent developments. And of course, numerous opportunities to establish new churches and undertake ministry.
I know I've been emphasizing the language here but it bears repeating: you don't need to be fluent in German when you're starting out, but you have to become at least proficient after you get there. Germany is an extremely advanced country and you simply cannot function there, in ministry or anything else, unless you are at least willing to put in the effort to learn the German language, then actively use it as the language of your home, job and of course, your ministry itself. If you have children or soon will have them, make sure they get as much German immersion learning as they can. As others have been pointing out here, it really is very, very easy to get fluent in colloquial German from a native English-speaking background.
Besides Germany, I'd agree that much of France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium are great places to minister. (Though, again, learn the local language in each case!) I actually think that the Netherlands is a good place to minister as well, their outlook has really become much more receptive to us in the past few years. They're a well-educated population but much more Christian at heart than many of us realize, both in the big cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam and elsewhere. Though, once again, you have to learn Dutch to be effective there. You don't need to know it at first, but they will kick you out if you don't at least make efforts to learn and use the Dutch language there. Besides, you will need it for your ministry efforts.
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