50 Years of EMW
Half a century of partnership is a good reason to celebrate. The EMW – Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. The anniversary marks five decades of intensive cooperation between Protestant churches and organisations in Germany and partner organisations worldwide.
Together on the way
Half a century of ecumenical cooperation, critical reflection and global commitment
“What began 50 years ago as an association of Protestant churches and organisations is now an international network with a clear stance. We listen, we learn, and we work together with our members and partners to promote global ecumenism, justice and hope,” says EMW General Secretary Rainer Kiefer, expressing his delight at the EMW’s milestone birthday.
The anniversary also provides an opportunity to look back on formative developments and key aspects of the work, but also to look ahead to future challenges – a process that actually began on the occasion of the 40th anniversary.
In 2015, EMW embarked on a fundamental process of reflection that lasted several years and made the organisation fit for the future. In the course of this change, the Evangelical Mission in Germany became the Evangelical Mission Worldwide – a new name that underlines the reorientation of its content and more clearly communicates its self-image as a platform and network for ecumenical cooperation. For EMW sees itself not only as an umbrella organisation, but also as an internationally recognised centre of expertise for theological issues related to mission and as a professional association for ecumenical world mission.
For example, the EMW is increasingly addressing the colonial history of mission in the Global South and generally promotes critical reflection on the concept of mission and many other topics from the global ecumenical movement. These topics are also regularly featured in the EMW’s magazine ‘EineWelt’. And on behalf of its members, the EMW also provides concrete support for ecumenical theological education worldwide, including theological colleges in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
However, half a century of EMW is not only a time to look back, but also a moment of new beginnings. EMW will continue to face the challenges of a changing world and to engage in theological reflection and international cooperation together with its members and partner organisations.