Christian Neff

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Christian Neff (born February 18, 1863 near Ludwigshafen , † December 30, 1946 ) was a Mennonite theologian and historian.

Life

Christian Neff studied in Erlangen , Berlin and Tübingen theology . In his theological thinking, Neff was influenced by the Protestant theologian Theodor Zahn , among others . After completing his studies, Neff took over the pastoral position of the Mennonite community on the Weierhof in 1887 . In addition to his work as a pastor, he also worked as a teacher in the subjects of religion, German and history.

Christian Neff soon took on leading tasks within the southern German Mennonites and in 1905 was appointed to the board of the Association of Mennonites in the German Empire. In 1913, Neff traveled to North America for several weeks to intensify contacts with the American Mennonites. It was under him that the first Mennonite World Conference was finally held in Basel in 1925 in memory of the foundation of the first Anabaptist congregation in 1525 . The following conferences, held in Gdansk in 1930 and in Amsterdam in 1936 , were also largely initiated and shaped by him. Neff is therefore seen as the founding figure of the Mennonite World Conference that still exists today. In addition, Neff was also involved in Mennonite youth work and was the initiator of the youth work of the southern German Mennonites. In connection with the first Mennonite world conference in 1925, the University of Zurich awarded him an honorary doctorate in the same year .

Tomb at the Mennonite cemetery Weierhof

In terms of journalism, Neff appeared, among other things, as editor of the Mennonite papers (hired in 1941) and as co-editor of the Mennonite Lexicon . He also contributed to the 1910 Mennonite hymn book and the Christian congregation calendar. Christian Neff died on December 30, 1946 and was buried in the Mennonite cemetery on the Weierhof.

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personal data
SURNAME Neff, Christian
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Mennonite theologian and historian
DATE OF BIRTH February 18, 1863
PLACE OF BIRTH near Ludwigshafen
DATE OF DEATH December 30, 1946