Segensfeiern im Jugendalter – Mitmachen oder raushalten?

Abstract

The percentage of adolescents, who neither take part in confirmation nor any civic youth initiation ceremony, is between 40 to 50 percent throughout all of Germany. Contrary to this background a development which is so far observed exclusively in East Germany deserves special attention. Especially – but not exclusively – in the environment of confessional schools so called ‘blessing ceremonies’ are offered, addressing nondenominational adolescents and their families. These ceremonies can give important impulses for a blessing-theological profiled work of the church.