The Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW) is an organization of Protestant churches, agencies and associations in mission and ecumenism. Some of the topics dealt with by the EMW include: Mission theology, theological education worldwide, creation and sustainability, religious dialogue, intercultural and contextual theologies as well as peace and justice.
The Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW) is an organization of Protestant churches, agencies and associations in mission and ecumenism. Nine mission agencies, five free churches, five associations and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) form the umbrella organization of the Protestant mission agencies. At the same time, the EMW acts as a professional association for ecumenical world mission and mission theology for members and associated organizations. The offices of EMW are located in Hamburg, Germany.
The highest decision-making body of the EMW is the General Assembly. It meets once a year and determines the guidelines and focal points of the EMW’s work. It decides on common tasks of the organization. The General Assembly elects the EMW Board every six years.
The EMW Board meets three times a year. It determines the goals and plans of the EMW within the framework of the guidelines and priorities established by the General Assembly, prepares the meetings of the General Assembly and submits an annual report. The Board has 15 members. Superintendent Dietmar Arends of the Church of Lippe, has held the chair since 2018.
The director of the EMW is responsible for the management of the organization and the management of the administration. Pastor Rainer Kiefer has been in this role since December 2019. In the offices in Hamburg, administration and specialist departments support the General Assembly, the Board and the director in order to implement the goals and tasks of the EMW.
The EMW finances itself and its work from members’ contributions, grants and project funds. The General Assembly decides on the administrative and project budget in the EMW.
The content-related work of the EMW is accompanied by committees, coordination groups, forums and working groups. These committees and working groups advise the project leaders, approve funding projects and are accountable to the Board of EMW.
In 1975, Protestant churches, mission organizations and associations, while maintaining their independence, founded a mission organization in the area of the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin to deepen and strengthen their community in carrying out mission. Missionary societies and institutions in East Germany had already joined together in a working community in 1964 with the same objective.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the mission organization in West Germany and the working group in East Germany decided to carry out their missionary work together under a new name. The Association of Protestant Missions in East Germany made this decision at its extraordinary general meeting in Berlin on December 12, 1990. The Protestant Mission Society in the area of the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin decided to merge on September 25, 1991. This led to the founding of the Protestant Mission Society in Germany. Both sides were grateful for the new community provided as part of the ecumenical movement and wanted to share with each other their respective special experiences and spiritual insights to strengthen the common missionary responsibility of their members.
As a result of a goal-setting process, Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW) will succeed the Protestant Mission Agency in Germany as a community of Protestant churches, agencies and associations in mission and ecumenism starting in 2021.
The Association of Protestant Churches and Missions in Germany (EMW) e.V. has its offices in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, where it is entered in the register of associations. The association pursues exclusively and directly non-profit, ecclesiastical purposes.
EMW Bylaws (German) (pdf/151 KB)The EMW and its members are among the sponsoring organizations of information centers and networks that advocate for peace, justice, the integrity of creation and human rights and provide information about the concerns of people who are directly affected.
The Ozeanien-Dialog strengthens Pacific voices in Europe and is active with NGOs and Churches in Oceania for resource justice, climate justice and human rights. The sponsoring organizations include the EMW, the Zentrum für Mission und Ökumene – Nordkirche weltweit, and the Evangelisch-Lutherische Missionswerk Leipzig.
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The Dalit Solidarität in Germany is a nationwide network of German-speaking organizations, groups and individuals that are involved in human rights advocacy and bettering the situation of Dalits in southern Asia. The EMW belongs to the sponsoring organizations.
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The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, an initiative of the World Council of Churches, supports local and international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and help heal the wounds of the Israel-Palestine conflict through just peace efforts. Lobby and advocacy work are focal points of the accompaniment program, and the national coordination for Germany is in the EMW.
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The China InfoStelle informs about current societal developments in China. The focus is on Christianity in China, but other themes such as religion, culture, society, and development are also examined. The EMW is a sponsoring organization of the Project and works closely with it.
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The Pazifik-Infostelle informs about economical, social and ecological topics in the Pacific area and examines NGOs and church organizations. It is sponsored by the EMW, the Mission EineWelt, the Zentrum für Mission und Ökumene – Nordkirche weltweit, and the Evangelisch-Lutherische Missionswerk Leipzig among others.
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The Westpapua-Netzwerk is engaged in peace and justice for West Papua. It is a forum of organizations and individuals in Germany that are engaged with the political, social, ecological and cultural situation in West Papua. Member organizations include the United Evangelical Mission.
to websiteThe EMW works closely with the Mission Academy of the University of Hamburg.
