The Evangelical Alliance of Germany (EAD) is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year alongside the 180th anniversary of the World Evangelical Alliance.
Celebrations took place at the Bad Blankenburg conference in Thuringia, first held in 1886.
“The history of the Evangelical Alliance reminds us that the Christian faith is always linked to a responsibility for our neighbour and society,” said EAD Chairman, Reinhardt Schink.
“Whether in the historical struggle against slavery and injustice, in the reconciliation between former mortal enemies in Europe after the Second World War, or in joint prayer in Bad Blankenburg, for 140 years the focus has always been on building bridges, protecting human dignity, and working to promote peace in the world.”
Katja Pfeiffer, Head of Communications for the EAD, said: “We are using the anniversary not simply to look back, but to highlight the enduring vision of Christian unity across denominational boundaries and our shared responsibility for church and society."
As a network, the EAD brings together approximately 900 independent, local evangelical alliances across Germany, as well as over 380 independent ministries, organisations, and institutions.
“The Evangelical Alliance movement in Germany remains highly active,” Pfeiffer said. “In some regions local alliances are growing through new partnerships and migrant churches, while in other areas demographic challenges affect church life as they do across much of Europe. Overall, we see strong engagement in prayer initiatives, local cooperation, mission projects, and interdenominational networking.”
Like many Western European countries, Germany has experienced significant secularisation as well as declining church attendance and membership over recent years.
However, in some areas, the EAD reports growth of evangelical church communities through conversions, church planting initiatives, international and migrant congregations, and strong youth and discipleship ministries.
“While evangelical Christianity is not experiencing explosive numerical growth nationwide, it is often maintaining a stronger level of participation and engagement than many traditional church structures,” Pfeiffer said. “New congregations founded by immigrant Christians are also significantly shaping the evangelical landscape.”
