The Christian Community

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The Christian Community (German: Die Christengemeinschaft) is a Christian denomination. It was founded in 1922 in Switzerland by a group of mainly Lutheran theologians and ministers led by Friedrich Rittelmeyer,[1][2] inspired by Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher and founder of anthroposophy.[3] Christian Community congregations exist as financially independent groups with regional and international administrative bodies overseeing their work. There are approximately 350 worldwide. The international headquarters are in Berlin, Germany.

The Christian Community is led by the "circle of priests," with leaders known as coordinators appointed within the circle. A first coordinator (Erzoberlenker) is consulted by two second coordinators (Oberlenkers). There are also third coordinators (Lenkers) on the regional level and a synod of priests. There is no additional ordination for the leadership. The priesthood of the Christian Community has always been open to women.

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[edit] Practice

The Christian Community does not require its members to conform to any specific teaching or behaviour.[2] The main practices are:

  • The Christian Community celebrates the Eucharist, which it calls the "Act of Consecration of Man."

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Claudia Becker, Attempts of religious renewal in the modern trend by the example of the evangelic theologian Friedrich Rittelmeyer (1872-1938), Ph.D. dissertation, Freie Universität Berlin, 2000. Abstract (English) and text (German)
  2. ^ a b Johannes Hemleben, Rudolf Steiner: A documentary biography, Henry Goulden Ltd, 1975, ISBN 090482202-8, pp. 134-138 (German edition: Rowohlt Verlag, 1990, ISBN 349950079-5)
  3. ^ Friedrich Rittelmeyer, Rudolf Steiner Enters My Life, ISBN 076613654X

[edit] External links


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