Im Kontext EKD-weiter Reformprozesse reflektiert und kommentiert die Forschungsarbeit das Reformbemühen insbesondere in Württemberg. Auf dem Weg zu einer zukunftsfähigen Kirchengestalt sucht sie nach konkreten Ansätzen für die Kirchengemeinde vor Ort. Die Mehrthemen-Studie ruft u.a. Einstellungen zur kirchlichen Arbeit als solcher und zu christlichem Glauben und Leben ab sowie Erfahrungen mit Gottesdienst und Kirche, Erwartungen, Bedürfnis- und Interessenlagen. Ausgehend vom Gottesdienst ergründet die Forschung die Chancen gottesdienstkultureller Ausdifferenzierung durch alternative Gottesdienste. Sie erschließt Wachstumspotenziale in der ehrenamtlichen Mitarbeit, in vielfältigen Kleingruppen, religiöser Erwachsenenbildung, kirchlicher Seelsorge und in neuen Gemeindeformen.
Was sagen evangelische, katholische und freikirchliche Mitglieder, was Konfessionsfreie? Was sagen verschiedene Altersgruppen, kirchlich Unverbundene oder Hochverbundene, was Engagierte? Wie denken Männer und Frauen? Die Ergebnisse aus 628 Interviews lassen kontrovers diskutierte Fragestellungen in einem anderen Licht erscheinen, geben differenzierte Antworten und Handlungsansätze. Sie machen Lust auf eine vielfältig konzentrierte Gemeindearbeit. Kirche kann wachsen.
In the context of the current reform process of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), this research work reflects and comments on the reform effort, with particular focus on Württemberg. It seeks concrete approaches for regional congregations en route to a sustainable social structure for the Church. The study, which covers a multitude of strands, examines attitudes towards Western Christian culture and value orientation, towards the work of the Church and towards Christian beliefs and lives as well as towards experiences with services and the Church, expectations, requirements and interests. Taking the church service as a starting point, the research looks into the opportunities for differentiation of service in cultural terms through alternative kinds of service, and deduces the potential for growth in voluntary work, small group diversity, religious adult education, church pastoral care, life counselling, and new kinds of congregation.
What do evangelical, catholic and free-church members have to say? How about non-denominational members? What do different age groups think? And what about those who attend services or work for the Church in a voluntary capacity? How do the male and female perspectives differ? The results of the missiological study, taken from 628 interviews, lead to controversial, debated issues being seen in a different light, and provide differentiated answers and approaches for action. They create an interest in congregational work with diverse areas of focus. The Church can grow.
Was sagen evangelische, katholische und freikirchliche Mitglieder, was Konfessionsfreie? Was sagen verschiedene Altersgruppen, kirchlich Unverbundene oder Hochverbundene, was Engagierte? Wie denken Männer und Frauen? Die Ergebnisse aus 628 Interviews lassen kontrovers diskutierte Fragestellungen in einem anderen Licht erscheinen, geben differenzierte Antworten und Handlungsansätze. Sie machen Lust auf eine vielfältig konzentrierte Gemeindearbeit. Kirche kann wachsen.
In the context of the current reform process of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), this research work reflects and comments on the reform effort, with particular focus on Württemberg. It seeks concrete approaches for regional congregations en route to a sustainable social structure for the Church. The study, which covers a multitude of strands, examines attitudes towards Western Christian culture and value orientation, towards the work of the Church and towards Christian beliefs and lives as well as towards experiences with services and the Church, expectations, requirements and interests. Taking the church service as a starting point, the research looks into the opportunities for differentiation of service in cultural terms through alternative kinds of service, and deduces the potential for growth in voluntary work, small group diversity, religious adult education, church pastoral care, life counselling, and new kinds of congregation.
What do evangelical, catholic and free-church members have to say? How about non-denominational members? What do different age groups think? And what about those who attend services or work for the Church in a voluntary capacity? How do the male and female perspectives differ? The results of the missiological study, taken from 628 interviews, lead to controversial, debated issues being seen in a different light, and provide differentiated answers and approaches for action. They create an interest in congregational work with diverse areas of focus. The Church can grow.