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Free churches in the northwest: hope for young faith communities!
In Emden and Cloppenburg, free churches are struggling with loss of membership while new communities are attracting young people.
Free churches in the northwest: hope for young faith communities!
There is a diverse range of Christian communities in Northern Germany, and among them the free churches play a very special role. These alternative faith communities offer many people an opportunity to experience their faith in a new way. This is particularly visible in Cloppenburg and Emden, where two very different communities have found their place.
The Free Christian Center Hope in Cloppenburg has been very popular in recent years. Around 120 members, especially young families, feel very comfortable here. The modern design of the services, which are characterized by a live band and everyday sermons, brings a breath of fresh air into community life. This has contributed to the average age in this community being in the late 30s. Dorian Klotz, one of those responsible, emphasizes the importance of family-friendly facilities such as a playground and beach volleyball court.
Loss of Mennonite membership
On the other hand, the Mennonites in Emden, under the leadership of Pastor Martin Kaminski, are struggling with a decline in membership. Her congregation has about 90 members, and most are elderly. Young people are completely missing here. This is not just a local but a nationwide phenomenon: The statistics show that the large churches in Germany, but also more traditional free churches, are struggling with increasing numbers of people leaving. In 2022, around 345,000 people left the Protestant Church and 322,000 left the Catholic Church.
The Mennonites rely on a non-violent interpretation of faith and emphasize peace and close community. People often come to their services who are disappointed with other churches and want a closer connection. This concept in particular shows how important the personal connection to the community is.
Free churches in transition
The developments in the free churches are reflected throughout the entire republic. While the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oldenburg is declining from 475,000 members in 2001 to just 350,000 members at the end of 2024, the free churches are different: While some are stagnating or even shrinking, others are doing so Free Christian Center Hope, has seen significant growth in recent years. This growth is partly due to the committed evangelistic work and the planting of new churches.
Free churches in Germany are often independent of the large regional churches and place great value on ecumenical relationships. The term “free” in their name emphasizes self-determination in religious decisions. Free churches attract many people who are looking for a personal relationship with God without the usual dogmatic structures often found in other churches.
It remains exciting to see how these dynamic communities in northern Germany will continue to develop. Despite the challenges, the free churches seem to create a lively space for religious communities and have a lasting impact on the religious landscape in the region.