Iglesia Evangélica en Alemania
(Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland)
Twenty Lutheran, Reformed and United regional churches (Landeskirchen) form the Evangelical Church in Germany. German Protestant church structures are based on federal principles at all levels. Each local congregation is responsible for Christian life in its own area, while each regional church has its own special characteristics and retains its independence. Without in any way diminishing this autonomy, the EKD carries out joint tasks with which its members have entrusted it. The EKD has the following governing bodies, all organized and elected on democratic lines: the Synod, the Council and the Church Conference. They are responsible for fulfilling the EKD's tasks as laid down in the constitution of the EKD.
The EKD gives the territorial churches a common voice in their relationship to the state and the society and in ecumenical relationships.
Those territorial churches which followed the recommendation of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (VELKD) in 1949 to apply directly for WCC membership are counted as direct members of the WCC (+), though they are represented in the WCC through the EKD.
The EKD has parishes and pastors in more than 60 countries. Through these and other contacts, it has a variety of partnerships and dialogues.
The Evangelical Church in Germany represents the following regional or territorial churches in the WCC:
- Iglesia de Lippe
- Iglesia Evangélica de Anhalt
- Iglesia Evangélica de Berlín-Brandeburgo y de la Alta Lusacia Silesiana
- Iglesia Evangélica de Bremen
- Iglesia Evangélica de Renania
- Iglesia Evangélica de Westfalia
- Iglesia Evangélica del Electorado de Hesse-Waldeck
- Iglesia Evangélica del Palatinado
- Iglesia Evangélica en Baden
- Iglesia Evangélica en Hessen y Nassau
- Iglesia Evangélica en Württemberg
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Sajonia+
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de Schaumburg-Lippe+
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Baviera+
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Brunswick+
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en el Norte de Alemania+
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Hannover+
- Iglesia Evangélica Reformada de Baviera y Alemania Noroccidental
- Iglesia Protestante en Alemania Central+
- Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en Oldenburgo