This article describes the downturn of parochial work that has been observed within the past twenty years. Taking the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church as an example, it reveals the extent of cutbacks and the structural changes as well as the redefinition of tasks and aims that comes alongside with this retreat. A second part describes the topics and emotional dynamics that are involved in this process - partly below threshold. It focuses on the loss of meaning that people experience in the course of organisational changes and on the frame that is set to any ecclesiastical action by German laws regulating the relationship between church and state. Finally, perspectives evolving from this analysis are revealed. The author demonstrates the inefficacy of micro-economically informed thought and language and encourages a realistic self-perception of the church.

Enthalten in:
Evangelische Theologie; 2013/2 Zweimonatsschrift (2013)

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Serie / Reihe: Evangelische Theologie

Personen: Meyns, Christoph

Schlagwörter: Evangelische Kirche Kirchenaustritt Kirchenreform Kirchensteuer Kirchenentwicklung