Hamburg – New President of Germany’s „Federation of Evangelical-Free Churches“ is Pastor Hartmut Riemenschneider (Marl). The 50-year-old theologian has until now been a Vice-President of this union, which consists of 90% Baptist and 10% Brethren congregations. He was elected to succeed Emanuel Brandt (Hamburg), a Director of Baptist health and welfare services, at the Federation’s annual conference convening in Hamburg from 20 to 23 May. Citing reasons of health, Brandt had resigned from this position. Riemenschneider expressed confidence that his church was “well-prepared” to confront upcoming challenges. It is of prime importance that that church remain close to Jesus and be geared to him. Renate Girlich-Bubeck (Backnang), a manager of human resources, became a new Vice-President.

Focus of attention at this conference, which was attended by as many as 1.500 persons, was the 175th anniversary of the founding of the first German Baptist congregation in Hamburg. The congregation had been formed after an American missionary baptised the Hamburg merchant Johann Gerhard Oncken (1800-1884) and six others in the Elbe River.

Europe will become more heathen
Toma Magda (Cakovec), a Croatian Baptist pastor and President of the European Baptist Federation (EBF), pointed out that Europe is becoming an increasingly heathen continent. The Baptists are consequently confronted with mission challenges similar to those of 175 years ago. Magda noted a contradictory development: Although on the one hand the countries of Europe are becoming increasingly democratic, liberal and tolerant, Christians nevertheless meet ever greater resistance if they proclaim the Crucified Christ as the only way to God. Yet Jesus Christ alone can “save people today”.

“What do you intend to do for Christ?”
In his festive sermon, EBF-General-Secretary Dr. Tony Peck (Prague) also referred to Oncken. The question which Oncken had posed to baptismal candidates has lost none of its timeliness today: “What do you intend to do for Christ?” Christians are called to address all of the major present-day issues and to attempt positive change on Gospel terms. Christians are not called upon to celebrate and honour the Son of God hidden behind church walls. Peck explained the significance of Ascension Day, on which according to the Scriptures Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. The day intends to remind us that God’s son “fills the whole earth with his presence”. Peck added: “There is no location on earth today where Jesus Christ cannot be found.”

Bishop: „I can only be ashamed of us . . .”
Maria Jepsen (Hamburg), Bishop of the North Elbian Evangelical-Lutheran Church, apologised to Baptists for the discrimination and repression they suffered during their formative years. “I can only feel shame for the fact that we as a Lutheran church had labelled Oncken and his followers sectarians.” She continued: “We failed you and acted in an un-Christian fashion.” In the mission city of Hamburg and the mission country of Germany, Christians today are called to jointly pass on their faith “in a lively and enthusiastic fashion”. Even the German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent the Baptists a written birthday greeting: “I am gratified to see how that many Baptists are on the basis of their faith striving for humane forms of life together.”

Be driven by our mandate – not by declining numbers
It was reported at the conference that the Federation is continuing to decrease in size. During the past year, the number of congregations decreased by eight to 828, and the number of members dropped by 351, or 0,4%, to 83.747. The number of baptisms, 1.978, was the lowest since 1995. Pastor Friedrich Schneider (Oldenburg) called on conference delegates not to be driven by our “declining numbers”, but rather to spread hope and remain true to our call to mission.

Movement or an established free church?
In discussions, Pastor Dr. Heinrich Christian Rust (Braunschweig), speaker of a spiritual renewal movement within the church, stated that a change in the statistical trend would not come about through appeals to be more mission-minded or by reading more in the Bible. One should instead ask the basic question as to whether free churches are indeed a model for the future. He believes the Baptist movement is standing at a crossroads: Will we understand ourselves as a movement in God’s kingdom with “many differing forms”, or will we be an established free church most concerned about expressing a clear confessional profile.

For a lifestyle as followers of the Crucified One
Christoph Stiba, the Federation’s new Missions Director, spoke out in opposition to the trend towards “feel-good” church life. It is important to resist this spirit of the age. Rather than “singing and praying in pious cuddly groups”, one should make church members “life as disciples of the Crucified One precious and valuable”. Pastor Manfred Beutel underscored the necessity of evangelisation: „Evangelisation is God’s path of joy to people.” Irmgard Neese (Elstal), Director of the Federation’s ministry to the elderly, noted a contradiction: “Every congregation wants to have a group for senior citizens, yet no one is willing to attend.” Today, even 70-year-olds do not regard such groups as meant for them.

Secure congregations for children and youth
The Federation’s youth ministry, the “Gemeindejugendwerk“ (GJW), introduced its new programme: “On the Road to Becoming a Secure Congregation”. According to the youth ministry’s new Director, Christian Rommert, issues of child and youth protection must also matter to the congregations. Their new programme includes a mandatory “behaviour code” for GJW-staff during conferences and retreats.