Could the story of the Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine in Dresden start in 1722? That year marked the beginning of a unique religious community. It has spread worldwide since then. Here in Dresden, the Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine stands as a testament to this history.
The Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine is not confined by traditional borders. It is an independent Protestant church. Its origins trace back to Herrnhut in Saxony. Refugees from Bohemia sought refuge on the estate of Nikolaus Ludwig Graf von Zinzendorf. They established Herrnhut. This gave the community its name Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine.
The church emphasizes ecumenism. It maintains an open dialogue with various Christian denominations. The Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine is affiliated with the Evangelical Church in Germany. Many members also belong to the Evangelical Church. It also has guest membership in the Association of Evangelical Free Churches.
The community is known for its “Losungen”. These are daily devotionals published since 1731. Each day features a Bible verse from the Old and New Testaments. The Evangelical Society for Germany publishes “Licht und Kraft”. This is a companion book with interpretations. “Losungen” are translated into over 50 languages. They are used worldwide by around 1.75 million people.
Worldwide, the Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine has over one million members. They are called Gemeinmitglieder. More than half of them reside in Tanzania. The church’s global presence is divided into regions. These regions include Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America and North America.
Missionary work has been a core activity. It began in 1732. Missionaries were sent to Saint Thomas in the Caribbean and Greenland. The Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine focused on people others overlooked. They helped people recognize God’s presence in their lives. They also shared the message of Jesus Christ.
The community developed a holistic approach to missions. They sought to improve people’s living conditions. They established schools and provided medical assistance. The Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine encouraged new believers. They empowered them to share the message with others.
Today, the Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine continues its work. It addresses new missions through migration and other contacts. Neighboring provinces support these efforts. This ensures the church’s mission continues.
Here in Germany, the Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine has about 6,000 members. They are spread across 16 communities. These communities include Berlin, Cottbus and Dresden. The leadership is based in Herrnhut and Bad Boll.
The Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine participates in ecumenical organizations. It is a member of the Ecumenical Council of Churches. It engages in interdenominational missionary groups. The community actively promotes Christian unity.
The Herrnhuter Br\u00fcdergemeine in Dresden embodies this spirit. It is a place where people gather. They share faith and fellowship. It continues a tradition that began centuries ago. It all began with a small group seeking refuge in Herrnhut.