Church in crisis

Coping strategies and reform stress

Abstract

The churches in Europe are under pressure in many ways. The significant decline in church membership and the demographic development imply that the churches are losing importance and social relevance. They largely respond to this loss of importance with organizational reforms. The problem with organizational reforms, however, is that they can only change what can be decided (i.e. structures, staffing, the merger of congregations, etc.), but not what is ultimately important: a revival of Christian religiosity and vivid forms of Christian communities. Against this background, I ask from a sociological point of view which reforms in the church are rather counterproductive and lead to unnecessary stress and which reforms in the complex field between religion, organization and community could have a forward-looking character.