Identity as a Christian community

Feeling at home in the church means that I have my place there. This is how Gerhard Servatius-Depner (ZETO) described the discussion:My place, my home is my identity. This insight – if I am right – sheds light on the discussion about Nationalism and Cosmopolitism, both very abstract notions, very political notions. Does the strengthening of local cultural traditions and mother tongue within the church lead to nationalism or – at least – to a kind of local patriotism, of narrow perspective of faith with the tendance to be closed and egoistic? Or is it rather an instrument of the mission of the church to invite persons to feel at home? But in the same time: what about the others, the newcomers, the migrants? Can they feel at home, too – together with us? There are no easy answers.” read more…