Forced by loss of members and decreasing financial support, the German Evangelical Churches began in the 1990s to ask how the spiritual and missionary aspects of the Church are related to its specific structural shape. This article describes some practical paradigms in contemporary reform: seeker services, regional development programs etc. There follows the outline of reform tendencies today such as the perspective of distant members, the development of concise personal management, the restructuring of leadership in terms of coordination, the search for a specific profile. This is followed by a look at published programs which underline the profile of >liberty< (W. Huber), the need for precise planning (H. Lindner), the difference between biblical perspectives and the Church and its actual administration (M. Josuttis), and the links between the missionary approach and marketing tools (W Herbst). Finally, the author argues that the experience of >liberty< which is basic to the Christian faith does not hinder more systematic organization. On the contrary, the >liberty< of faith itself may establish a specific form of Church management which includes elements of planning, control, and the hope for a renewal of God's Holy Spirit.

Enthalten in:
Theologische Literaturzeitung; 2003/Nr.2 Monatsschrift für das gesamte Gebiet der Theologie und Religionswissenschaft (2003)

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Serie / Reihe: Theologische Literaturzeitung

Personen: Hermelink, Jan

Schlagwörter: Kirchlicher Mitarbeiter Leitbild Kirchenaustritt Organisation und Leitung Kirchenreform Praktische Theologie