The Christian Community

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.

Practice

The Christian Community does not require its members to conform to any specific teaching or behaviour.^[4][2] Seven sacraments are celebrated within the Community: the Eucharist, generally called the Act of Consecration of Man, and six other sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, The Last Anointing, Sacramental Consultation (replacing Confession), and Ordination.^[5]

See also

Christianity portal

• Anthroposophy
• Rudolf Steiner
• Berthold Wulf

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
4. ^ Tom Ravetz: Free From Dogma. Theological Reflections in The Christian Community. Edinburgh 2009
5. ^ Evelyn Francis Capel and Tom Ravetz, Seven Sacraments in the Christian Community, Floris Books, 1999

External links

• The Christian Community in North America with extensive introductory articles
• The Christian Community in the UK and Ireland also with introductory articles
• Die Christengemeinschaft German site of The Christian Community
• The Christian Community in Australia and New Zealand with full programmes for all congregations in the region
• priest seminaries of the Christian Community in Chicago, Stuttgart (Germany) and Hamburg (Germany)
• The Christian Community – An Introduction by Michael Tapp, retired priest in The Christian Community, former national coordinator for the UK and then Australia/New Zealand
• The Journal for the renewal of religion and theology An online peer-reviewed open access journal inspired by the theology of The Christian Community
• Religion Section at the Rudolf Steiner Archive an On-line Library