From Marginalisation to Limited Public Engagement: An Account of German Pentecostalism

This chapter shows that Pentecostals in Germany have historically not really engaged with the public sphere, except in the field of evangelism. For decades they were characterised by separation and marked by marginalisation. The chapter traces this back to the historical development of Pentecostalism. From the beginning the Pentecostals in Germany were denounced as demonic and set apart as sects (Berlin Declaration). During the time of National Socialism separation and stigmatisation were reinforced, because the Nazis strictly persecuted sects. After the war the stigmatisation as a sect continued. A look at the free churches in Germany shows that the issue of a lack of acceptance is also prevalent there and is historically conditioned. Compared to the Global South, the Pentecostals in Germany today are very small in size, which brings its own limitations. German Pentecostals thus need to participate in the international Pentecostal theological discussion and in theological reflection at a higher academic level. The chapter finishes by noting how in recent times the awareness of the need to be socially relevant to evangelise successfully has increased.