Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe CPCE

Regional Groups Come Together in Prague

Regional Groups Come Together in Prague

Representatives of all four CPCE Regional Groups came together from March 13-15, 2024 in Prague for a conference full of fruitful discussion, thought-provoking presentations, and the sharing in a worship service and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Hosted by the...

CPCE Statement on European Elections (EN, DE, FR)

CPCE Statement on European Elections (EN, DE, FR)

The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) is hoping for a "fair debate about Europe's future" in the run-up to the European elections in June 2024 and is calling for candidates who seek good cooperation across borders rather than polarisation. The CPCE...

About us

The CPCE is a communion of protestant churches. 96 lutheran, methodist, reformed and united churches from over thirty countries in Europe and South America belong to it. With that the CPCE represents altogether around 50 million Protestants.

The CPCE exists thanks to the Leuenberg Agreement of 1973. It concluded: churches are allowed to be different because they appeal to the Gospel as their common basis. That sounds simple, but has far-reaching consequences: since then a lutheran minister can preach from a reformed pulpit or a French minister lead a congregation in Germany.

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Regional Groups Come Together in Prague

Regional Groups Come Together in Prague

Representatives of all four CPCE Regional Groups came together from March 13-15, 2024 in Prague for a conference full of fruitful discussion, thought-provoking presentations, and the sharing in a worship service and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Hosted by the...

About us

The CPCE is the umbrella organisation of the protestant churches. 94 lutheran, methodist, reformed and united churches from over thirty countries in Europe and South America belong to it. With that the CPCE represents altogether around 50 million Protestants.

The CPCE exists thanks to the Leuenberg Agreement of 1973. It concluded: churches are allowed to be different because they appeal to the Gospel as their common basis. That sounds simple, but has far-reaching consequences: since then a lutheran minister can preach from a reformed pulpit or a French minister lead a congregation in Germany.

Rich Relationships – The Joint Task of the Church as Diaspora

Many Protestant churches are in the minority – in Europe and all over the world. Some churches have been in this situation for many decades, while for others it is a new challenge. Yet others see themselves moving towards life as a minority.

The CPCE study document “Theology of Diaspora” developed a concept of diaspora that understands diaspora as shaping fullness of relations in a spirit of Christian discipleship.

Now CPCE published an abridged version and further development of the study document “Theology of Diaspora” as edition no. 30 of CPCE’s magazine focus, entitled “Rich Relationships – The Joint Task of the Church as Diaspora”.

This focus booklet should appeal to anyone who likes and enjoys reflecting upon the Church and its meaning and purpose in the world with regard to its actual or progressively minority situation in Europe.

You can order or download the focus magazine here.

Forum “Young Theology”

The “Protestant Forum for Young Theology in Europe” took place in Vienna from 11 to 14 May, 2022. From twelve countries, 20 young adults came together who have recently started working in church professions or are about to complete their theology studies. The Forum for young theology is a collaborative project between the CPCE, the Protestant League of Hesse (EBH) and the Center for Protestant Theology in easter Europe (ZETO). Due to this transnational cooperation, the aims and focus of the conference, the project was financially supported by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.

Visit the playlist on YouTube.

Download the brochure “Current perspectives for a future Protestantism”.

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In view of the current war in Ukraine, the relevance of the topic and the dialogue also between the churches became even clearer. Peter Morée, professor of church history at the University of Prague, introduced the complex topic with a pointed opening lecture. Vivid country reports from the participants illuminated the role nationalism and cosmopolitanism in church life. Finally, on the third day, various concrete output formats were developed and made available online for the benefit of a broader audience. On the one hand, ten theses were developed under the heading “Towards an Inclusive Identity in Christ – Theses about Nationalism, Identities and Christian Churches.” On the other hand, prayers and sermon suggestions were formulated for use in church services, a double lesson was conceived for religious education classes, and a canon was composed.

In the forum it became clear how much the different churches of Europe are rooted in their respective countries. On the one hand, the churches are shaped by the history and culture, the political and confessional contexts of the respective country. On the other hand, it became clear among the participants, that even as a minority churches strive to contribute to society, and thus to help shape history and culture even today. Through the country reports and the encounters, understanding and tolerance for the churches and people from other countries grew. In the discussions and not least in the outputs, it also became clear how much the common faith gives Protestantism the potential to learn from churches in other countries across national borders and benefits from encouraging impulses from others. The forum offered fruitful encounters and is a valuable platform to connect young theologians in Europe, who will help shape the future of the churches in their respective countries.

Young Theology – digital academy an conference Vienna (young-theology.eu)

“Euro-orphans”

Numerous children are growing up without parents in eastern (and to some extent also southern) Europe, dubbed “Euro-orphans” by the international press. What happens to these children when their parents go to work abroad indefinitely?

The CPCE is working with the Gustav Adolf Foundation to support various projects run by churches for these children and their families in eight different European countries. From 17 to 19 April 2023 a network meeting of project managers took place in Katowice.

Church Aid Projects

Euro orphans Katowice article