Evangelical Church in Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian Upper Lusatia

Evangelical Church in Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian Upper Lusatia
Name	Evangelical Church in Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian Upper Lusatia
Native name	Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz
Imagewidth	220
Caption	St. Mary's Church, Berlin, one of the church's prominent landmarks.
Main classification	Protestant
Orientation	United (Lutheran and Reformed)
Polity	Synodal
Moderator	Christian Stäblein
Area	Berlin, Brandenburg, and parts of Saxony (Upper Lusatia)
Headquarters	Berlin
Founded date	1948 (as Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg); 2004 (current form)
Separated from	Evangelical Church of the old-Prussian Union
Congregations	1,247
Members	926,000 (2023)
Website	www.ekbo.de

Evangelical Church in Berlin, Brandenburg and Silesian Upper Lusatia is a united Protestant Landeskirche (regional church) in Germany. It was formed in 2004 through the merger of the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg and the Evangelical Church of Silesian Upper Lusatia. The church covers the territories of the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg, as well as the former Prussian region of Silesian Upper Lusatia, now part of Saxony. It is a member church of the Evangelical Church in Germany and the Union of Evangelical Churches.

History

The church's origins lie in the Protestant Reformation in the Margraviate of Brandenburg and the Duchy of Prussia. Following the Congress of Vienna, these territories were consolidated within the Kingdom of Prussia, leading to the 1817 formation of the Evangelical Church of the old-Prussian Union under King Frederick William III. After World War II and the dissolution of the Prussian church, the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg was established in 1948. The division of Germany and the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 created a unique situation, with the church operating separately in West Berlin and East Germany until German reunification in 1990. The current church was created by a 2004 union with the Evangelical Church of Silesian Upper Lusatia, a church with a strong Silesian heritage following the post-war expulsion and resettlement.

Organisation and structure

The church is organized on a synodal-presbyterial basis. Its highest legislative body is the regional synod, which meets annually and is presided over by the Praeses. The highest executive authority is the consistory, led by the bishop. The territory is divided into three Sprengel (ecclesiastical provinces): Sprengel Berlin, Sprengel Potsdam, and Sprengel Görlitz. These are further subdivided into Kirchenkreise (church districts) and local Gemeinden (congregations). Key administrative offices are located in Berlin and Potsdam.

Theology and social positions

As a united church, it embodies both the Lutheran tradition, rooted in the teachings of Martin Luther and the Augsburg Confession, and the Reformed tradition influenced by John Calvin and the Heidelberg Catechism. The church is generally considered theologically liberal and actively engages in social issues. It is a prominent voice in dialogues concerning Christian-Jewish relations, interfaith dialogue, and bioethics. It supports the full inclusion of LGBT individuals, including blessing same-sex marriages and ordaining LGBT clergy. The church is also actively involved in refugee support and climate change advocacy.

Member churches and districts

The church comprises approximately 1,247 local congregations. These are grouped into 36 Kirchenkreise, including prominent districts such as Berlin Stadtmitte, Potsdam, Cottbus, Frankfurt (Oder), and Görlitz. Notable member churches include historic landmarks like Berlin Cathedral, St. Nicholas' Church in Potsdam, and the Church of Peace in Sanssouci Park. The Upper Lusatian region includes distinctive half-timbered churches like the one in Herrnhut, the birthplace of the Moravian Church.

Ecumenical relations

The church is a committed member of the global ecumenical movement. It belongs to the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches, and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe. It maintains full altar and pulpit fellowship with other Landeskirchen within the Evangelical Church in Germany. The church has particularly close ties with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland and the Czech Brethren Church, reflecting its historical connections to Silesia and Bohemia. It also engages in formal dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church and various Orthodox communities.

Leadership and governance

The spiritual leader and highest representative of the church is the bishop, an office held since 2020 by Christian Stäblein. The bishop is elected by the regional synod and is based in Berlin. The synod is led by the Praeses, currently Petra von der Heide. The central administrative body, the consistory, is headed by the bishop and includes legal and financial directors. Day-to-day governance in the three Sprengel is overseen by regional bishops, known as Generalsuperintendenten.

Category:Protestantism in Germany Category:Christian organizations established in 2004 Category:Religious organizations based in Berlin