Published: Just now
The Pentecostal pastor came under fire after a video in which he invited conversion therapy.
A month ago he was fired.
Now he is taking the congregation to court – sponsored by a Christian venture capitalist.
The Pentecostal pastor Josef Barkenbom – known from, among other things, the dating program Tro, Hopp och Kärlek in SVT – posted a video on Instagram at the beginning of June where he invited to “repentance therapy”. The video attracted a lot of attention, but according to Barkenbom, it was meant ironically and should be seen as a response to the review Aftonbladet did in the spring regarding conversion therapy for homosexuality.
– That’s why I made the post. The thing about me joking about conversion therapy and us converting people to Jesus, there’s nothing strange about that. We all have sin and need to repent, he told Dagen newspaper that time.
After the video, he was dismissed from work by the parish in Solna, a decision he has no understanding of, he says.
– You shouldn’t have done anything, just continued. It doesn’t matter, does it? That some people get angry about our faith, we can’t change that.
Not buying the Pentecostal Church’s explanation
After he had been out of work since June, the Ping Force decided to fire him due to lack of work in early December. But that explanation does not give Josef Barkenbom much, but rather he believes that it is about the church wanting to silence him and get rid of uncomfortable people. He describes it as “Classical Christian faith is under attack from parts of the Free Church”. By that he means, among other things, the view of homosexuality where he writes that “experienced homosexuality is a sin”.
– I think it’s really about the fact that my post got so much attention. Parts of Christendom are more interested in being popular in society than following the Bible, then they try to remove me and others like me.
Taking the church to court
Because he believes that the dismissal took place because he became uncomfortable and not because of a lack of work, he has submitted a lawsuit to Solna District Court.
– It’s sad that it has to go this far, but if I and others don’t fight for what we believe in, no one else will. Losing your job because of an Instagram post like this is breaking the law. It will be an attack on freedom of expression.
Backed by Christian Venture Capitalist
He is supported by the venture capitalist Kjell-Roger Holmström, who of Dagen newspaper described as “a financial power holder within the Pentecostal charismatic part of Christendom”. He has promised to cover the legal costs if Barkenbom were to lose in court.
– We have known each other for quite a long time, we share the same views on this and he also thinks it is wrong that they dismiss me on the wrong grounds, says Josef Barkenbom.
Aftonbladet has tried to reach Kjell-Roger Holmström without success, but to the newspaper Dagen he justifies the decision.
– I do not think that a pastor should be fired because he does not share a theological opinion regarding what is sin or not sin.
Pentecost deviates from the right faith
Kjell-Roger Holmström has criticized the Pentecostal movement for moving away from the right faith. Among other things, he wants to wage a “powerful battle” against parishes that refuse to marry homosexuals losing their right to marry, and for Pentecost to say no to contributions from Sida if it means they have to “export the sin of abortion together with our mission.”
Silence from the congregation
The pastor and parish director Manuel Hernandez does not want to answer Aftonbladet’s questions or comment on Josef Barkenbom’s accusations, but writes in an email:
“As an employer, we do not comment on personnel matters. Given that we are in an ongoing process, we refrain from commenting on it or commenting on anything related to it.”