Lyon Researc Report.indd - Christian Associates International

a research report for
a church planting
destination
LYO N
VILLE DES LUMIERES
CITY OF LIGHTS
LYON, FRANCE
a possible churchplanting venue
April 2004
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INTRODUCTON
From Thursday April 1st (really) till Sunday the 4th a
team of Christian Associates International joined with
a mission team researched Lyon, France. On one of the
billboard Lyon was called the city of light. Walking along
the Saône at night it was not difficult to understand how
this reference came about.
Staying at the Hotel close to the Perrache station we
explored Lyon – often, some would say too often,
by foot. There are supposedly quite a number of
internationals in the city, but where? Everybody speaks
French! This report will among others tell of our search for
the international English speaker.
OBJECTIVES
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CAI already has church planting
projects in different phases of
development in Paris, Geneva, Aix
en Provence and Sophie Antipolis.
The team set out with the following objectives.
A description of (a bit of) the history of Lyon
A study of the demographics (1st go)
A description of Lyon’s infrastructure
A description of the (international) churches in Lyon.
Potential church-planting areas?
page 1
LYO N
A BIT OF HISTORY
(Sources: Lyon City Guide and Internet)
Lyon was first known as Lugdunum (meaning “the
hill of light” or “ the hill of crows”). Archeological
finds made in 1987 testify that already in 3500 BC,
a peasant community had settled in the quarter
of Vaise, the Trion Valley. Much later from 43
BC onwards there was the Roman occupation. A
senatorial decision assigned Munatius Plancus
to found a colony to shelter the Roman citizens
driven from Vienne by the uncouth Allobrogans.
This official status brought political, economic,
military and religious development to the
city. The period of pre-eminence lasted 3
centuries but did not survive the downfall
of the Roman Empire. Having become the
junction of the great roman routes in the
Top: The statue of Mary
towers high above the city.
Far right: The cathedral of
Fouviere.
Side: The old city of Lyon,
seen from Fouviere.
Bottom: a drama troupe in
the ancient Amfitheatre.
West, the town was at this time capital of the
Three Gauls. Each year in August, the dignitaries of
the 60 Gaulish tribes met in the amphitheatre on
the slopes of Croix-Rousse hill. Lugdunum was now
an important town, symbolizing the colonial and
centralizing power that made it a natural outpost
of Rome. On Fourvière Hill, a forum, temples,
theatres, barracks and monumental public baths
sprang up. On the rest of the site, the towns
expanded. But in the 3rd century AD, the higher
reaches were gradually abandoned in favor of the
river banks. Before the Roman construction of a
fortress on the Fourvière hill, overlooking today’s
city center, Lyon was nothing more than a small
Gaelic village.
The sanctuary of Fourvière was built on the
presumed site of the Augustan forum. As far
back as the second century, a large community of
Greek Christians gathered among the inhabitants
of Lugdunum. Moreover, when persecutions
VILLE DES LUMIERES
CITY OF LIGHTS
broke out in 177 Christians were detained for
questioning. They were interrogated and tried
at Fourvière, before being martyred in the
amphitheatre on the Croix-Rousse slopes.
Notre Dame de Fourvière has been a leading site
of devotion to the Virgin Mary, protectress of the
town, since the 12th century. The people of Lyon,
each year, particularly cherish two dates:
• The 8th of September, feast of the Virgin
Mary’s Nativity. To carry on the aldermen’s vow
of 1643 after which, thanks to the Holy Virgin’s
intercession, the plague epidemic was stopped for
good.
•
December 8th, feast
of the Immaculate Conception.
Lyon commemorates the
installation of the golden
statue of the Virgin on the
old chapel bell tower on
December 8, 1852. On that
night, the people of Lyon
spontaneously lit up the
city. This was the origin of
the illuminations, which
take place each year.
By the close of the
Roman era, the town
had taken root at the
foot of Fourvière, within
its ramparts. Lyon
regressed: it was a period
of barbarian invasions.
But since something
beauty will inevitably
hatch something ugly,
the famous martyrs of 177
(Pothin, Blandine, Irénée) helped develop, in Lyon,
the new Christian religion that would mark the
town throughout its history. As the leading episcopal town in Gaul, Lyon awoke from its slumbers
in the 11th century.
The Archbishop of Lyon became Primate of the
Gauls from 1079. The spiritual and temporal
power exercised by the Church fostered the
construction of bridges and religious edifices.
So at least it served some purpose. (…) The
inhabitants’ (occasional violent) protests obliged
the church powers – that were to (belatedly) grant
the town a character of independence in 1320.
The “commune” of Lyon was now in the hands
of 12 elected consuls. The town began to grow
wealthy again, and the Gothic period bequeathed
monuments such as St. John’s Cathedral and the
churches of St. Bonaventure and St. Nizier.
With the advent of the Renaissance, the town
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LYO N
again prospered. In 1420 the French King instituted
regular fairs: Lyon regained its status as
a trade centre through which all
sorts of merchandise passed.
Towards the end of the 15th
century, the development
of printing gave Lyon a
new vocation. In fact,
the transformation was
far-reaching. Merchants
and financiers from
across Europe converged
on Lyon. Banking and
printing activity was
intense.
The writing says: “ Here,
God is dead.” Below
it reads: “The
same is true for
Nietzsche.”
From 1563, the arrival of silk
weavers from Italy gave rise to an
industry that would keep on growing until the
start of the 20th century. The cosmopolitan
milieu and dazzling intellectual life favored the
presence of great painters (Hippolyte
Flandrin, 19th century), famous
architects (Philibert Delorme)
and fine writers (Louise Labé,
Rabelais,…).
But this cultural ferment
was fast soured by
the wars of Religion.
In 1562 the city fell to
the Protestants, who
ransacked numerous
religious monuments.
They the undertook a vast
program of works that would
form the basis of the modern
city. In 1595 Henry IV’s arrival in Lyon
marked both the end of this troubled period
and the town’s independence. (…)
In the 18th century, trade picked up again
and the silk industry boomed. The
city was being transformed,
women developed liking for
frills and furbelows and
the centre of business
shifted to the Presqu’île,
‘twixt the two rivers.
Lyon stood out in the
hospital domain, with
large institutions such
as the Hôtel-Dieu and
the Hôspital de la Charité.
In the second half of the
century the City Hall went up,
and ever since has been home to
Lyon’s keenest minds.
In the 18th century, the renown of Lyon’s
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CITY OF LIGHTS
silk spread across Europe. Production grew and
grew, giving Lyon France’s largest concentration
of workers. During the enlightenment, inventors
came to the fore (Montgolfier first got airborne
in his hot-air balloon near the Brotteaux). This
century also witnessed the urban overhaul that
would give the city its current shape. The planners
pushed outwards. To the south Perrache took
the confluence further downstream by sticking
Moigniat Island to the end of the Peninsula. On
the left bank of the Rhône, Morand drained the
marshes and created a district with a regular street
scheme. The bridgehead into the 19th century
was in place. In the moment department, Place
Bellecour was completed. Artistic activity was also
strong, in sculpture, drawing and painting.
The Revolution strongly marked Lyon. The city
was swimming against the tide, and was besieged.
On 9th October 1793, the Convention ordered the
revolutionary troops to take the city, and destroy
it; in the event, much survived.
In the first half of the 20th century, two men
bestrode the city’s politics and urban planning:
Edouard Herriot and Tony Garnier, respectively.
Monsieur Herriot (mayor from 1905 to 1957)
charged Garnier with a series of major works
that would propel the 19th century city into the
modern age. Burgeoning industry prompted new
amenities for the growing urban population (a
hospital, schools, a stadium, a abattoir, housing
estates…).
In the Second World War, Lyon, which stayed in
the Zone Libre until 1942, became capital of the
French Resistance; but, in its odd paradoxical way,
was also a hotbed of Pétainist fidelity and the
Gestapo’s HQ.
The post-war population boom called fro fresh
housing: major development scraped the skies.
The following quarter-century saw the reign of
Mayor Pradel, who wanted to give the once-again
sleepy provincial city serious European stature.
The transport system was developed. In the
1975-80 era, some major infrastructure was built
(Part Dieu rail station and stopping center, and
the Eurexpo fair venue but many parts of Lyon
still felt backward and grubby. The mayor Michel
Noir (1989-95) did much to embellish the center:
place des Terreaux, rue de la République, and the
revamped opera house). In a backlash to Noir’s
glamorous and scandal-littered term in office, the
former mayor, Raymond Barre, certainly raised
the city’s profile abroad bringing in international
events, business and presiding over a number of
flagship operations: the revamp of the Part-Dieu
area; the return of the tram, etc.
page 3
LYO N
VILLE DES LUMIERES
CITY OF LIGHTS
Now included on the UNESCO World Heritage
List, Lyon is categorized along with prestigious
cities such as Venice, Prague, or Saint Petersburg.
The population of Lyon is younger than ever, and
well determined to push Lyon forward.
The Roman presence, and the increased commerce
and improved infrastructure that followed
changed the early village into a small town; into
the Capital of Gaul under the Roman Empire, a
major center of culture and trading during the
Renaissance, a strong industrial breeding ground
in the nineteenth century, and now Lyon has
become a large European metropolis, benefiting
from the influences that have swept across its
beautiful landscape and its silk production. Now
included on the UNESCO World Heritage List,
Lyon is categorized along with prestigious cities
such as Venice, Prague, or Saint Petersburg. The
population of Lyon is younger than ever, and
well determined to push Lyon forward, and even
farther…
The city keeps a lion in its sign, and numerous
details on buildings and monuments feature lions
of different shape, color and positions, the local
Ice hockey-team is called ‘the Lions’. The lion has,
in other words, become the symbol of the city of
Lyon today.
LYON’S DEMOGRAPHICS
General info:
- Greater Lyon: www.grandlyon.co
www.grandlyon.com
- Rhône Country: www.cg69.fr
- City of Lyon: www.lyon.f
www.lyon.fr or
www.lyon-city.org
www.lyon-city.or
- Rhône-Alpes Region: www.cr-rhone-alpes.f
www.cr-rhone-alpes.fr
Age range:
0-14 years:
According to the CIA estimates of 2003 (www.
cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/) France’s
population is a bit over 60 million people. The age
distribution is as following:
18.6% (male 5,725,170;
female 5,449,991)
15-64 years:
65.1% (male 19,619,994;
female 19,583,850)
65 years and over: 16.3% (male 4,006,857;
female 5,794,667)
The population growth very slow (0.42 per 1000)
and is lower than the net migration rate (0.66 per
1000)
In March 1999, the population of the RhôneAlpes Region was 5,645,407. Home to 9.6% of
the population of France, the Region has gained
almost 300,000 inhabitants over the last decade,
showing an average annual growth rate of 0.6%.
Greater Lyon is the number two metropolitan
area in France, with a population of 2.1 million,
including one third under the age of 20. The city
Lyon has about 500,000 inhabitants (ranking the
no. 3 city).
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LYO N
LYON’S INFRASTRUCTURE
Lyon is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes Region and
enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of
Nothern and Southern Europe, linked by a dense
network of motorways, an international airport,
a well-developed train system and much more.
There are 5000 exporting companies (among them
150 world leaders). The industrial sector is known
for its 9 sectors of excellence:
1. Health (e.g. companies like Boiron, Pasteur
Mérieux, Merck-Lipha – and over 20,000
researchers
2. Biotechnologies (e.g. Pasteur institute, Aventis)
3. Chemicals (e.g. Atochem, Rhodia – employing
33,000 employees)
4. Textiles (e.g. Hexcel Fabrics, DMC – 46,000
direct jobs)
5. Environmental industries (600 businesses,
including Vivendi, Aventis and Lyonnaise des
Eaux)
6. New information technologies (Atari)
7. Mechanical engineering (4000 companies:
Framatome, Renault Trucks and Valéo)
8. Agro-food (45,000 jobs and more than 40
laboratories, including Danone); and
9. High-tech materials (459 companies: Carbone
industrie and Novallis Fibres; 89,000 jobs.)
The Service industry is pretty big too: 377,200 jobs
Higher education institutions host 103,000
students, including 7200 future engineers and
7000 university students.
More info on economy:
- Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
www.lyon.cci.fr
- Lyon Infocité: www.lyon-infocite.org
- ADERLY economic development agency: www.
lyon-aderly.com
Lyon has four metro lines (A through D) reaching
the (inner) city from Cuire in the north to Stade de
Gerland in the south and from Gare de Vaise in the
north west to Laurent Bonnevay (north east) and
Gare de Vénissieux (south east). Next to the Metro
Lyon has trams and busses making it well equipped
to move around in the city. Flying to Lyon is quite
expensive still as it has not been discovered by the
VILLE DES LUMIERES
CITY OF LIGHTS
low cost airlines. With the TGV (high speed trains)
however, Lyon is a central hub between Paris,
Geneva, and Marseille (all 2 hrs. away).
More info on infrastructure:
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport: www.lyonaeroport.fr
- SNCF rail company: www.sncf.com
- TCL Urban public transportation: www.tcl.fr
- Lyon Car Parks: www.lyon-parc-auto.com
- Lyon Municipal Library: www.bm-lyon.fr
More info on Tourism:
- Greater Lyon Convention and Visitors Bureau:
www.lyon-france.com
- Rhône County Committee for Tourism: www.
rhonetourisme.com
- Rhône-Alpes Region Committee for Tourism:
www.rhonealpes-tourisme.com
Lyon’s futuristic trams
are a sight to see,
People waiting on the
tram at well-designed
tramstops
Trams are a quick and
very comfortable way
to get anywhere
Lyon also has electric
busses
The banks of the river Rhone
are lit up at night. Truly a city
of light!
page 5
LYO N
CHURCH IN LYON
We interviewed a number of people in Lyon to
get a picture of the church and related Christian
organizations. This picture is still being developed.
Attached to this report you find a list of
organizations in France and a list of books.
There are two English-speaking churches: The
Anglican Church and the Presbyterian Church of
France. However, the latter supposedly has English
services only in the summer, but is run by a French
person who had lived in the U.S. for 20 years. He
also started the American School (which is now
closing).
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CITY OF LIGHTS
interested. Scientology is strong in France and
Lyon is supposedly one of the black and white
pivot points on the Magic Triangle. The city is
dedicated to Mary. In the domes inside Fourvière
it is explained that Mary is the Mother of God and
the Wife of the Holy Spirit.
There are not a lot evangelical churches. There
is one happening church in Villeurbanne called
Eglise Evangélique des Frères Du Grand Lyon
(lead by pastor Florent Varak), which has about
200 members. Florent Varak was at the time of
In the interviews it was mentioned that in France
missionaries are involved in their own program.
Even when their program is good, and there are
many good ideas, they don’t get enough people to
make it work long term. It seems to be impossible
to sustain. They need to work together more
but – as one said - missionary funding model
doesn’t support this approach. To us an even
more important element would be the lack of
teamwork within those missions programs. Almost
all missionaries seem to work as a married couple
– or what CAI calls single cell ministry. A church
planting effort in Lyon of CAI would – as we are
accustomed – definitely need a team of 8 full-time
people (multi-cell).
“The French are Catholic only
in title. For most of them,
God is out the window”
Someone said: “You have to realize you are in
God’s hands -- you can’t do it alone.” They have
found ministry work in Lyon goes in waves. There
seem to be times when things go well. Then,
all of the sudden, everyone is having problems.
Lyon’s spiritual climate is a steady uphill battle.
To the French, God is out the window, they say.
The French are Catholic mostly in title. The older
people are often atheists: “there is definitely
no God.” The younger group is less so but still
agnostic. They are too post-modern to say there
definitely is no God but they seem to think there is
no God either. There are “800 cults in France,” said
Yves Perrier creating a nice paradox suggesting
that quite a number of people are spiritually
our research trip in the US for a sabbatical. Their
service is in French but they have simultaneous
English translation (using headphones). Grace
Brethren International Missions started this
church and GBIM missionaries currently living and
working in Lyon include: Larry & Vicki Dearmey,
Kent & Becky Good, Patty Morris and Mark & Joy
Sims. The fact that this church is lead by a staff
team did not go unnoticed to us. The average
church plant starts 2-3 times, even 4 times before
getting off the ground.
Most of the other churches are quite small,
averaging 15 people in congregation. According
to Joe Johnson one of the problems in Lyon is
page 6
LYO N
there are no good programs for young adults.
At 18 years old, teenagers are flying the coop.
Youth groups are from 16-25 and if there are
programs, these are geared towards teenagers.
Someone said: “What we need here are programs
for young couples and for people over 25. We
have some youth groups but nothing after that.”
According to Joe Johnson GBU – Groupes Bibliques
Universitaires did a good job. GBU is a christian
nation-wide French student association whose
purposes are to propose various activities around
the Bible in student and university circles. GBU
hosts open dicussions and debates around biblical
texts within groups entirely managed by the
interested students on their local campus. They did
some conferences that were good. Joe is not sure
what they are up to now. According to the internet
information they have a group in Lyon:
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that title for much longer as their organization
is moving towards regional oversight. He and his
wife are the only adults (of EV free) in Lyon. They
are planning a demographic study of Lyon to
determine where to plant an international church.
He has hooked up with an organization that
meets together two times a month (APEL). This
organization consists of other Christian leaders in
Lyon. There are 40 pastors who meet. APEL is lead
by Jean-Marc Pilloud.
Jim is the part of FPF (Fédération Evangélique de
France – Evangelical Federation of France) and FEF
(Fédération Protestante de France – Protestant
Federation of France). They run an alpha group
but not a post-alpha group. People who complete
the alpha group go into a small group and
eventually into the church. They are having a
difficult time getting all the way through that
transition. People are warm but took 2-3 years to
get to know people.
Jean Marc Pilloud
President Association Pastoral Evangelique
Lyonnaise (APEL)
Vincent, Alayne, Kristen interviewed Jean Marc
Pilloud in French. Jean Marc is the president of the
Lyon Pastor network and is also the pastor of a
Evangelical church.
INTERVIEWS
GBU de Lyon
Chris Martin, the Anglican Vicar pointed us to
the ecumenical movement in Lyon called the
CREL (Comité des Responsables d’Eglise de
Lyon) comprised of Greek Orthodox, Armenian,
Anglican, Baptist, Reformed, and Lutheran.
The French are leery of evangelicals. There was a
recent article in the paper calling them a “sect to
conquer the world.”
Jim Carlson
EFCA International Mission
The Evangelical Free organization Jim belongs
to has 12 Adults in France at the moment. Jim is
the country director. However, he will not have
Jean Marc encouraged us to to cultivate working
relationships with others churches, to make sure
any church plant will not be branded “cult”. Lyon
has quite a number of (small) churches but a lot
more people (>500 K inhabitants). And, although
there is not an English suburb in Lyon, there are
in his opinion many English speakers. 80% of
Lyon is Catholic but there is nothing to reach the
Catholics. The biggest church is L’assemble de
Dieu (Pentecost Church). Jean Marc would like to
be informed of any action that CAI would take in
Lyon.
Joe & Jane Johnson (alias)
contact info withheld due to the sensitive nature
of the Johnson’s work.
We interviewed the Johnson’s in their ministry
centre. As a big surprise to us they gave us a taste
of “north African” hospitality by serving us dinner!
Joe and Jane are focusing on North Africans living
in Lyon, but also travel to North Africa. They
are in a building purchased by the missionary
agency. They are building out an Internet Café,
and a Game Room: They have lots of future plans.
They want to help teach Muslims how to use the
Internet. Joe is looking for an administrator/
director to run the center. They also need a
businessperson to handle financial management,
do taxes, etc. There are 21 people in their church.
page 7
LYO N
He estimates there are about 5000 Christian
believers in Lyon.
Rev. Chris Martin
Anglican church in Lyon
The Chapel where the Anglican
Church meets is in the 6 th
arrondissement of the city. It is
part of a hostel (Escale Lyonnaise).
The entrance is through the door
in the courtyard wall (92 rue
de Créqui). Lyon Anglican
Church is part of the Church
of England and of the
Anglican Mission Society ICS (intercontinental
Church Society – www.ics-uk.org). We were greatly
encouraged to contact the ICS if not for anything
else just to check each other out. The Lyon church
has been around for over 100 years. There used to
be only one vicar between Lyon in the morning
and Grenoble in the evening.
Chris Martin has been with the Anglican Church
in Lyon since 2000 and expects to be here at least
through his 5-year period. There is a possibility
he will stay for another 5 years. Chris decided
to become pastor after 20 years in publishing in
Paris, London and Paris. Also present during the
interview were Jean (VP of the church council) and
Shauna, originally from Scotland.
Being Anglican only 40 % of church is British, 20
% French, 20 % American and the rest is made up
of 26 different nationalities with about a 100 total
membership. Quite a portion of the Church people
stay for a long time but they also face the turnover
typical for an international church.
Matthew Glock
International teams (Grenoble)
Matthew Glock’s wife is
French and Matthew has
been in Europe since 1991.
He started with street
evangelism and connected
with International Teams
(IT). He has been in
Grenoble with IT the last
three years. Matt went to
Dallas Theological Seminary
but as a postmodern, he
always wanted to be
overseas.
Matthew is an innovator and he tries to help the
church to renew. They started a movement called
Gospel and Culture. Grenoble is an active place
for churches (Pentecostal church has 600 people).
He talked about a pie where there are different
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denominations, each taking a piece of the pie. The
closer you get to the center, the more powerful
the people within their style of religion. At the
center the walls between the religions are very
high here. The people don’t talk with each other
across religions. At the fringes, however, there
is less structure but less power. This is where the
innovation occurs. There is difficulty getting to
the middle group between the most powerful and
the fringes. We need to focus on real ministry and
not on just ideas. We must be connectors of ideas.
Be a benefit to the whole church – give back. The
French church has strengths to flow back to the
rest of the world.
After the interview, Matt sent us some very
helpful documents. One of these documents gives
a helpful summary:
The French Context
o The false dichotomies of the modern era
(public/private, objective/subjective, reason/
faith) have an overwhelming influence on all
levels of society. Some examples are …
o Relationships are divided along these lines.
Co-workers remain co-workers and are rarely
included in your group of friends. Neighbors
are neighbors etc.
o Faith which is a private and therefore personal
matter is not discussed in the public arena
(work, amongst neighbors who are casual
acquaintances etc)
o Within the community of faith it is difficult
to give clear guidance on matters of faith
because those choices are both personal and
private.
o Posses a worldview which they believe is to
be exported to the rest of the world and
therefore are very skeptical of someone who
comes from the outside offering another way
of doing things.
o Sophisticated and critical thinkers.
o Disdain for traditional religion.
o Value intellect and reason.
o Deep seated class distinctions.
o Long history of being fascinated by all things
occult
The Church in France
o 8% attend church regularly.
o Catholicism retains a strong cultural influence.
o Catholic thinkers are producing excellent
analysis of post-modern/post-Christian culture.
o Small evangelical population, 0.5% of the total
population of 60 million. Roughly 300,000
individuals.
o Faith for many Christians is a personal decision
that only affects their private world.
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LYO N
The headquarters of Credit
Lyonnais, a large French bank, is
shaped like a giant obelisk that
towers over the entire city.
The evangelical church:
o Fragmented into over 60 denominations and
deeply divided.
o The Assemblies of God is the largest
denomination (nearly half the evangelical
population).
o AOG churches have for the most part not
worked with other churches. This is changing...
o Charismatic churches which are heavily
influenced by their US and UK counterparts are
the fastest growing.
o Strength of the Charismatic and Pentecostal
churches is providing a deep and personal
spiritual experience.
o Non-charismatic churches are resistant to
change because the only example of change
often comes from charismatic churches.
o The evangelical church is for the most part
ignorant of modern/post-modern culture. This
is changing. A few books have been published
on the subject.
o Leadership within the church both locally and
nationally often is very hierarchical and topdown.
o Deep seated suspicion of all independent
structures.
o Pastors survive by maintaining existing
structures.
o The fear of losing members controls many
decisions.
o The cost of innovation is high.
o Because the population is so small activities
that require large audiences (publishing,
music, radio etc) have great difficulties being
viable.
o Because the church is spiritual in nature and
believers view their faith as a personal and
private decision believers demonstrate a great
deal of independence. Loyalty is based on
what I feel not what I am called to do.
o Lack of good models
o Few healthy culturally relevant churches.
o Lack of innovating leaders in traditional church
structures.
Matt is used to foreign (American) missionaries
that work in France in ministries focused on
nationals. Within that context his first rule of
involvement is to work through existing structures.
He says: I” believe we have sacrificed the long-term
health of the French church for short-term results.
We as foreign missionaries have created a culture
of dependence.” His second rule is to be invisible:
“Being invisible means serving and letting other
take credit for what you do.” We wholeheartedly
agree with Matt’s analysis. Actually, that is why
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RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND OF LYON
There have been four major religious phases in
Lyon’s history: Pre-Roman, Roman, Universalism,
and Christianity.
In the Pre-Roman phase Sucellus, the God of the
bowl and mallet, a symbol of male fertility of nature
appears to be the earliest deity worshiped in Lyon. 3
Matrae was another that was worshiped. During the
Roman phase there was clearly a pantheist leaning:
Jupiter, Mars, Mercury (and Maia his helper). There
were Roman interpretations of Celtic cults. Jupiter
was called “Lug” in the local area. Therefore, You
can make the connection between Jupiter-LugLugdunium-Lyon. They also worshipped Tutela a
town-protecting divinity. She wore a crown that
looked like a castle and she was symbolized by the
horn of plenty. They worship other Roman gods
such as Juno, Minerva, Apollo, Bacchante, Venus
and Diana. The Dionysian cult was prevalent. There
were two imperial cults – a federal and a municipal
but they were political in nature. There was another
religion following the “mother goddess.” There
seemed to be a lot of woman worshipping starting
in this phase. Th is seemed to continue all they
way into the Christian era and may explain why
Mary is so revered here. (During the Roman time,
cremation migrated into burial with a sarcophagus).
The Universalism phase came from the
Mediterranean East. While popular, Serapis, Isis,
Osiris, Anubisd, Sistrum, Ousheptis, and Mithra
were less welcome than Cybele, the Phrygian’s great
mother figure. Initially Cybele was a naturalist
divinity with her son Attis, who on coming into
contact with Hellenism attained the stature of a
divinity of salvation. She is often seen on a lion. The
first expression of Cybelean worship in Lugdunium
was on December 9, 160 AD. There is a Santuary
of Cybele in Lyon. There were deities that protected
the dead. They began to add wordy epigraphs
to tombstones to protect the dead (called Ascia
Ritual). There were two deities protecting the dead.
The 2 Manes. There were also lesser entities Eternal
Memory or Perpetual Safety. Th is is from the 1st
century.
Christianity came to Lyon and Vienne in the
second century. In 177, some Christians became the
first to be martyred here. The urban society started
to become Christian. Those in the plains were not
– probably the first use of the word Pagan or people
of the plains. The museum didn’t say a lot about
this. However, Christianity was include in the
mystery-based religions – promoting it as another
cult phase in history.
The oldest churches in Lyon are as follows:
Saint-Irenee • Saint-Just (Macchabees) • SaintEtienne (Cathedral) • Saint-Jean (Baptistery) •
Saint-Nizier (then Church of the Apostles) • SaintLaurent de Choulans Saint-Michel (in Ainey)
These were from the Burgundian era (5-6th
centuries)
The following were built in the Merovingian times:
Saint-Paul • Sainte-Eulalie • Saint-Pierre • Notre
Dame • Sainte-Croix
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Christian Associates does not start national works
with non-native missionaries. Hence our focus on
the global, emerging culture where there is “no
Jew or Greek” or French for that matter.
CHURCH-PLANTING LOCATIONS?
After this first exploring visit our advice is to move
ahead with initiating a church planting project
in Lyon! There is only one international church
in Lyon (the Anglican church) with a chaplaincy
focus. A Christian Associates so-called high
impact church would help to move the
Kingdom of God forward in Lyon. More
research needs to be done, however,
especially with regards to the number of
English-Speaking internationals.
In this first trip to Lyon we have not yet
seen much of Greater Lyon. However,
Lyon city is not too big and public
transport is good. For the time being now
our advice would be to focus on and start from
the centre of the city (1st and 2nd arr.) and reach
out from there. Mont d’Or – where international
families tend to live – is still within close proximity
of the city centre. Moreover, rule of thumb says
that people are willing to travel twice the distance
into the a city compared to out of a city.
OTHER COMMENTS:
USEFUL MISSIONARY INFO:
A family of 4 persons will cost €5-7K/month for
total costs including retirement, etc.. It would
be 30-45% higher than U.S. average cost. The
start-up cost are €3K not including appliances, etc
(€10K total). Please take in mind that lights and
cupboards are not included in a house. It’s “wires
only” when you get a house (regardless of rent or
buy).
Renting an studio for a single would be about 600
euros; for a family in a Mont-d’Or house would be
€1800 per month. In the centre more like €2200 for
a family-size apartment.
A monthly pass for the metro is €45.
As a Christian worker you have to be brought
in. Because of the concerns with cults, you can’t
just come in. There is a list of known cults and if
you are on that list, it is very difficult. There are
some evangelicals who are on that list – and it
differs by Prefecture. You can start an association.
Those are easy to form. However, if you want to
be registered it is much more difficult. One of the
VILLE DES LUMIERES
CITY OF LIGHTS
missionaries will return to the U.S. next year for
one year. He has to go back every 5 years or lose
his social security benefits and begin paying French
taxes.
You need to jump in a buddy-up with foreigners.
After you learn the language, there is still much
more to learn. Often there are different, new ways
to say something. The foreigner speaking French
is never going to be good enough so don’t get so
discouraged – don’t mind so much. It comes from
that culture of putting you down to motivate
people to do better.
Public school has international section so most
of the international families send their kids
there. Kids go to school from 7:45-5:15 therefore,
weekday activities are virtually next to impossible.
They also have school until noon on Saturdays.
There are over 500 English-speaking students
enrolled in the public system. They come in contact
with a lot of people who were overseas and have
come back.
French courses are offered at the Catholic
University and other places.
There is an American – Anglophone club in the 2nd
arrondissement near Bellacour.
Arrondissement #6 is where many affluent people
live. Au-mont d”Or is where internationals with
families live. The 6th is near this part and there
are apartments for international singles. The
international community lives also lives in Parc
de la Tete d’Or. This area has the largest free
zoo in Europe. The international school is in the
7th arrondissement Sainte-Foy Les-Lyon is the
pharmaceutical area.
The homeless stay on the bank of the river.
The bad areas of town are Venissieux and
Rilhereux la Pape
Place Bellecour is the largest meeting place in
Europe without buildings. It covers two city blocks.
Bellecour is one of the big hubs for transportation
Muslims live in the south and northeast suburbs.
There are 300,000 Muslims in Lyon area or 20% of
the population. There are over 200 mosques.
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APPENDIX
source:
Rev. Alfonso & Nicole Feria (International Teams)
33, Rue de Fontarabie
75020 Paris, FRANCE
Alliance des Eglises Evangéliques Indépendentes (AEEI)
http://www.eglises.org/groupements/aeei
(Alliance of Evangelical Independent Churches)
Alliance Evangélique Chrétienne Missionnaire (AECM)
http://www.eglises.org/groupements/fef/aecm
(Christian & Missionary Alliance)
Alliance Evangélique de France (AEF)
http://www.alliance-evangelique.org/
(Evangelical Alliance of France)
Annuaire Evangélique Française
http://www.eglises.org/
(list of French evangelical churches & organizations)
Arche Canada
http://www.larchecanada.org/
Armée du Salut (AS)
http://www.armeedusalut.fr/
(Salvation Army)
Assemblée de Dieu (ADD)
http://www.fnadf.org/
(Assemblies of God)
CAEF
http://www.eglises.org/types/caef
(Brethren)
Catholic church in Paris
http://www.catholique-paris.com/
Catholiens
http://www.catholiens.org/
CIJEM (Centre Internationale de la jeunesse en
mouvement ).
http://www.cijem.com/
This is a movement among French Christian young
people.
COEF5 (interdenominational fellowship of Frenchspeaking organizations and churches on the 5 continents)
http://www.ifrance.com/coef5/pages/english.htm
Communauté de l’Emmanuel
http://www.emmanuel-info.com/
Communauté des Béatitudes
http://www.beatitudes.org/
Communauté des Diaconesses de Reuilly
http://www.oidr.org/
(protestant religious order established in 1841)
Communauté du Chemin Neuf
http://www.chemin-neuf.org/
Croire et Servir .
http://www.croireetservir.com/
Evangelical journal appearing 10 times a year.
Eglise Apostolique (EA)
http://members.tripod.com/~apostolique/
(Apostolic Church)
Eglise de Dieu de France (EDF)
http://www.protestants.org/edf
(Church of God in France)
Eglise de la Confession d’Augsbourg d’Alsace et de
Moselle (ECAAM)
http://www.protestants.org/epal/
(Church of the Augsburg Confession of Alsace and
Moselle)
Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne de France (EELF)
http://www.protestants.org/eelf
(Evangelical Lutheran Church of France)
Eglise Réformée de France (ERF)
http://www.eglise-reformee-fr.org/
(Reformed Church of France)
Eglise Réformée Evangélique Indépendante (EREI)
http://www.protestants.org/erei
(Evangelical Independent Reformed Church of France)
Embrase Nos Coeurs/Intercession France .
http://www.embrasenoscoeurs.online.fr/
This interdenominational group organizes regular prayer
gatherings for France, as well as an annual 40 day
prayer and fasting period for France, as well as a 3 day
conference each spring.
Espace Evangile .
http://www.expace-evangile.com/
Evangélisation.com
http://www.levangelisation.com/
(lists different events in France)
Faculté Libre de Théologie Evangélique (Vaux-sur-Seine,
France).
http://flte.free.fr/
This is perhaps the most important evangelical seminary
in France.
Fédération des Eglises Evangéliques Baptistes de France
(FEEB)
http://www.feebf.com/
(French Evangelical Baptist Church Federation)
Fédération Evangélique de France (FEF)
http://www.fef.asso.fr/
(Evangelical Federation of France)
Fédération Protestante de France (FPF)
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fpf
(Protestant Federation of France)
France 2002
http://www.lafrance2002.org/
Communauté du Verbe de Vie
http://www.leverbedevie.net/
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France Mission
http://www.france-mission.org/
Au Contraire! Figuring Out the French by Gilles Asselin
and Ruth Mastron (Intercultural Press: Yarmouth, 2001).
Huguenots.net
http://huguenots.net/
Culture Shock! France by Sally Adamson Taylor (Graphic
Arts Center Publishing Company: Portland, Oregon, 1990).
Institut Biblique de Nogent (Nogent-sur-Marne, France).
http://ibnogent.free.fr/
This is a key evangelical Bible institute in France.
Espoir pour la ville: Dieu dans la cité by Ray Bakke, André
Pownall, and Glenn Smith (La Clarière: Québec, 1994).
Especially helpful for understanding Paris and other
French cities.
Jeunesse Pour Christ
http://www.jpcfrance.com/
(French branch of Youth for Christ)
Jours Mondials de la Jeunesse
http://jmj2000.cef.fr/
(Catholic movement among young people)
Ligue pour la Lecture de la Bible
http://www.LLBfrance.com/
French branch of Scripture Union.
Mission Radicale
http://www.missionradicale.online.fr/
(youth movement)
Musée Virtuelle du Protestantisme Français
http://www.museeprotestant.org/
(Virtual museum of the history of the French Protestant
movement)
Orthodox Church
http://www.orthodoxpress.com/
Protestants
http://www.protestants.org/
Réforme
http://www.reforme.net/
This is a weekly journal with a Protestant reflection on
cultural, social, political, religious events.
Taize
http://www.taize.fr/
This prayer center draws people from all nations.
Témoins
http://www.temoins.com/
This is an interconfessional Christian movement with a
special focus on being a witness. It produced a book titled
Itinéraires: Des chrétiens témoignent.
Union de l’Eglise Evangélique Méthodiste (UEEM)
http://www.eglises.org/groupements/fef/ueem
(Evangelical Methodist Church of France)
France 2002 . Focusing on France’s spiritual situation, this
is extremely insightful.
Francement: Un jour nouveau sur le pays by Philippe Joret
(Philippe Joret: Montpellier, 2000). Written by a French
pastor, this is an excellent resource for understanding the
current situation of the Church.
French Huguenots, The by Janet Glenn Gray (Baker
Books: Grand Rapids, 1981).
Francoscopie: Comment vivent les Français? by Gérard
Mermet (Larousse: Paris, new edition comes out every 1-2
years). This book is a goldmine of material on the French
by a French sociologist).
French or Foe? Getting the Most out of Visiting, Living,
and Working in France by Polly Platt (Cultural Crossings:
Skokie, Illinois, 1996).
French Way, The: Aspects of Behavior, Attitudes, and
Customs of the French by Ross Steele (Passport Books:
Lincolnwood, Illinois, 1995).
Le Pentecôtisme au pays de Voltaire by George R: Stotts
(Association Viens et Vois: Craponne, 1982). This was
originally published as a Ph.D. dissertation at Texas Tech
University on the history of the Pentecostal movement in
France.
Le Mal Français by Alain Peyrefitte (2 volumes) (Librarie
Plon: Paris, 1976).
Les Eglises évangéliques en France (CD Rom) by Daniel
Liechti (Daniel Liechti: Amiens, 2001). Useful statistics
and charts on the evangelical Church today in France.
“Les Protestants de France 16è-20è siècle,” special issue
of Notre Histoire: La mémoire religieuse de l’humanité , No
154 - April 1998 (Paris)
Management in France by Jean-Louis Barsoux and Peter
Lawrence (Cassell: London, 1991).
YMCA
http://www.ucjg-ymca-france.org/
Stop Evénement .This is a Protestant Christian media
guide containing web site addresses and information
on events in Ile-de-France. It is published bi-monthly
and can be ordered through the association B.S.V.O.
(3, rue de Gisors, 95300 Pontoise, 01.34.24.07.32,
stopevenement@yahoo.fr . Each issue costs 2 Euros. An
annual subscription of 6 issues costs 11 Euros.
BOOKS:
Sorbonne University Cours de Civilisation Française
(Paris, France) Conferences on French philosophy,
history, politics, geography, economics, literature, music.
Union des Eglises Evangéliques Libres (UEEL)
http://www.ueel.org/
(Evangelical Free Church of France)
source:
Rev. Alfonso & Nicole Feria (International Teams)
33, Rue de Fontarabie
75020 Paris, FRANCE
Understanding Cultural Differences: Germans, French,
and Americans by Edward T. Hall and Mildred Reed Hall
(Intercultural Press: Yarmouth, 1989).
American Evangelical Missionaries in France 1945-1975
by Allen V. Koop (University Press of America: Lanham,
Maryland, 1986). This is helpful in understanding
the positive impact and negative effect of American
evangelical missionary movement on the French church.
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