Prädikantinnen und Prädikanten: Verkündigungsdienst im Ehrenamt

Congregation members can be called to preach the Word and administer the sacraments and commissioned as preachers. There are more than 48,000 lectors and preachers in Germany's regional churches. This article examines the history, legal basis, commissioning and ordination, training, and the widely varying regulations within the regional churches. The regional churches as a whole are faced with the task of integrating the ministry of preacher into church life as a voluntary ministry. Uniform legal principles can only serve a common approach. Given the shortage of pastors in the ministry, preachers are essential to the system, and they provide a comprehensive Protestant pastoral care.