Given the course questions on Wittenberg, there are two that I would like to address. The first: After seeing firsthand the decline in attendance to Church in Wittenberg, what do you think the Church in Wittenberg and, more generally, the church in Europe could do to inspire more followers for Christ? and secondly: In a country with so many elaborate churches, why do you think religion has lost its importance and does not appeal to people like it used to? Do you think this could happen to America in the future? Why or why not?
After visiting many churches and attending many services in Northern Germany, I am confident in saying that the Church is not as strong here (in the North). The congregations are very small, and mostly consist of older folk. Wittenberg did have a larger church population than some other churches we saw, but it was still small. With the church in Wittenberg and with all the other churches, it is unfortunate that they have such large buildings to maintain and use for such small congregations. I almost wonder if it would be better to work out of a smaller church. With a large, ornate church, it can possibly seem daunting to those who may be interested, or maybe it could even push them away from the faith. They may wonder if we really are committed Christians, or if we are just here for grandeur and revenue. Because many churches can be entered to view for their beauty, many might get the idea that churches are relics of the past. Some part of history to be viewed in leisure, rather than vibrant places of committed worship. This is not the case in America. Most churches are just normal buildings. Some are beautiful, but are not grand and gaudy. They are built for worship, not built as a form of worship. America was also founded by many wishing for religious freedom, and it is bounded in our founding documents that we are free to worship. However, part of Germany was under the communist regime which banned any form of worship. This alongside humanism, empiricism, and other “progressive” ideals that found root in Europe is probably the root of the lack of Christian faith in Europe and Germany. I feel as if Christianity is very family oriented in the US. Parents pass it on to their kids and other people near them, and this keeps the faith alive. However, Germany lacks those people who could pass it down. This is why I do not think anything like this could occur in the US. We are so diverse, and there are so many current Christians, that I feel as if the faith always has a chance to grow and be passed down.
Mary Buteyn a former Calvin professor who is now a missionary in Berlin said that the influx of refugees from Syria, Africa, Iran, and many other places are helping start a form of revival in Germany. These people come broken and afraid and find comfort in Jesus. Mary and her husband hope that the German people will pay attention to these born again Christians and see the witness of Jesus in their lives. I believe that this witness to the country is the best way for Germany to find faith again. If they see these people, who are tired and poor, filled with joy in Christ, then that will bear a powerful witness of the Gospel.