Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany
Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany | |
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Classification | Evangelical Christianity |
Theology | Baptist |
Associations | Baptist World Alliance |
Headquarters | Wustermark, Germany |
Origin | 1849 |
Congregations | 786 |
Members | 75,767 |
Seminaries | Elstal Theological College |
Official website | baptisten |
The Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany (German: Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden in Deutschland) is a Baptist Christian denomination in Germany. It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. The headquarters is in Wustermark.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Kreuzkirche_Harburg_01.jpg/350px-Kreuzkirche_Harburg_01.jpg)
The Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany has its origins in the first Baptist church in Hamburg founded by the German missionary Johann Gerhard Oncken in 1834.[1] It is officially founded in 1849 as Federation of Christian communities baptized in Germany and Denmark.[2] In 1941, the Union of Free Christians merged with the Federation to form the Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany.[3] In 1992, the ordination of women pastors was authorized in the Convention.[4] According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 786 churches and 75,767 members.[5]
Schools
It has 1 affiliated theological institute, the Elstal Theological College in Wustermark founded in 1880. [6]
See also
References
- ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 248
- ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 2955
- ^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 249
- ^ Erich Geldbach, Baptists Worldwide: Origins, Expansions, Emerging Realities, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2022, p. 112
- ^ Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023
- ^ Union, Theologische Hochschule Elstal, befg.de, Germany, retrieved May 5, 2023