The Present Status of the Protestant Churches in Germany

Abstract

The effects of the war and the change in the organization of the state have put upon the evangelical churches new responsibilities and opened the way for the development of democratic organization, a closer unity and enlarged social usefulness. The People's Church movement was a sign of the new spirit. The tendency toward united endeavor is shown in the Federation of the United Protestant Churches in Germany-the largest Protestant church union in Europe. The future is problematical. To achieve success the movement toward a true People's Church must (1) reach the masses of the people and embody them in the church; (2) attain moral and economic independence by relying entirely on the voluntary co-operation of the members; (3) attempt a serious and spiritual solution of the great social problems; (4) grant full freedom of conscience and emphasize life rather than creed; (5) work in harmony with the theological learning of the universities. The author discusses the positions taken by the new constitutions of the various churches of Germany in relation to the principles growing out of the above ideals.