Finding Faith in Germany

The IEEG (Institut zur Erforschug von Evangelisation und Gemeindeent-wicklung) in Germany has been studying the issue of conversion amongst adults. While mission is a ‘safe’ topic to talk about, conversion is more controversial and according to the IEEG newsletter, is “rarely talked about in the mainline churches, let alone Practical Theology at most German-speaking universities”.

About 500 people who had recently come to faith in four EKD regions (Mecklenburg, Saxonia, Württemberg and the Rhineland) completed questionnaires about their conversion experience. Staff also spent time exploring the theological concepts surrounding conversion. 

The results are currently being presented to the regional churches and others, with publications planned for 2010 and an international symposium on the issue of conversion in early 2011. In the meantime, some initial findings have been published in the IEEG newsletter.

The theological reflection has led to the ‘Greifswald typology of conversion’, which describes three general types of conversion experience.

1. Intensification or growth in confidence: People who already actively participate in church life, but through conversion experience “a massive increase in joy and confidence in the gospel.

2. Discovery: Nominal Christians who develop a “deeply personal interest in the gospel and in being part of the community of believers.”

3. Fundamental change or break: People who previously had no connection with church or any faith, and whose conversion leads to a clear break with the past.

“Converts are on average 41 years old and from varied backgrounds.”

Initial findings from the questionnaires include

1.   Conversion is not only happening on the margins. Converts are on average 41 years old and from varied backgrounds.

2. They don’t necessarily come from a church background – “a good number of our converts profess that they had grown up in a social environment where church and faith played no role whatsoever.”

3. Only 40% of respondents said that Christian support at a time of personal crisis (e.g illness, bereavement, marriage, having a child) played a significant part in their personal faith journey.

4. People play a significant role in bringing others to faith. According to the findings, close friends and relatives are important in bringing people into contact with faith and helping them encounter the Gospel, whereas pastors and church workers play a greater part in bringing people to commitment. “Conversion can thus be understood as a network or team effort, with ordinary Christians and church staff ideally working hand in hand.”              

Joanne Appleton

Source:

IEEG Newsletter English Edition 1.2009