trosfellesskap

Trosfellesskap (literally “confession fellowship”) is a term used in Norwegian to describe a community of people who share a common confession of faith and cultivate religious life together. The concept centers on creed, doctrine, and moral teaching as the basis for fellowship, rather than solely on geographic proximity or formal membership in a specific church.

Within and across Christian traditions, trosfellesskap can refer to local gatherings of believers who meet for worship, Bible study, and mutual support, as well as to broader, trans-denominational associations founded on shared beliefs. Activities commonly associated with a trosfellesskap include shared worship, catechesis, sacraments or ordinances accepted by the group, and mutual accountability in matters of faith and conduct. The term is also used in discussions about ecumenism to describe cooperation based on essential doctrinal agreement, while recognizing diverse church structures.

Distinctions: trosfellesskap differs from “trossamfunn” (a formal religious community or church body) in that it emphasizes creed-based fellowship rather than organizational boundaries. It can complement formal church structures by fostering unity among believers who hold the same core convictions, and it may operate within or across denominations. The concept has historical roots in creedal traditions and continues to appear in contemporary theological and ecclesial discussions.

See also: trossamfunn, trosbekjennelse, kristendom.