Christian Center Rhema
The Christian Center Rhema e. V. (CCR) is a neo-Pentecostal free religious community in Bayreuth and Weidenberg . The organization describes itself as a “dynamic, Christian community with a pioneering character”. It was created in 1993. Supraregional self-names are Glory International or Katharine Siegling Ministries . The CCR community moved from Bayreuth to its training center in nearby Weidenberg a few years ago.
Spiritual alignment
According to its own statements, the interest of the community is focused on the work of the Holy Spirit, which leads to hope, love and trust among the believers. Human experiences are rejected. The theology of a person must be “based in the Word of God on the person of Jesus Christ and be kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit.” The situation in Germany is described as that of a Christian country that glows with envy, hatred, bitterness and other vices. On the other hand, the own community is formed as a network with the aim of promoting those who are determined to preach the restoring Christian message powerfully and freely “in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit beyond the walls”.
The church leader, Katharine Siegling, is quoted as saying: “God has given me a vision for this whole city. I want to take the whole city. Whether this city suits it or not, it will happen. "
At the same time, the community is sharply demarcated from other Christian churches. Other Christians are considered to be blinded “by the church traditions of a false, dead religion.” The collaboration with the Evangelical Alliance congregations is “a spiritual catastrophe for the charismatic scene.” Glory International also borders on the charismatic movement “from Hamburg to Röhrenbach” on his website. The report reproduced on the website of the congregation justifies this with the belief and lifestyle, described as unsophisticated and impressive, that is lived at the CCR. The divine services are not a rigid liturgy, but are shaped by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The sermons are described as clear and fiery. They conveyed the effectiveness of the Word of God.
criticism
For the representative for religious and spiritual currents of the Evangelical Church in Bavaria , Church Councilor Bernhard Wolf (Nuremberg), the center belongs to the totalitarian movements. According to him, women were mostly members of the community. If the man does not get involved, women are advised to part with him. They were "encouraged to give up their job, sell their house and move to the Upper Franconian town. In the long term, the Christian Center […] plans to build its own village with a school and a supermarket. ” A self-appointed pastor urges her followers to separate from unbelievers and the demonic world: “ And if you submit to false authorities, that means there you have given your rights to these false authorities. They rule over you.… It is finally time for you to break this tradition! Throw off the yoke! ” (Katherine Siegling) It is known from dropouts that the catchment area of the center extends beyond Nuremberg. In the past there were repeated arguments and lawsuits with relatives of community members and critics.
Controversy over compulsory education
Supporters of the CCR appear nationwide as representatives of home schooling (homeschooling movement). You have been opposed to compulsory education by the state since 2006 at the latest . In the television program Kontraste , the ARD reported on the example of a grandmother under the title “Isolation and extradition - how dubious religious communities deprive children of chances” how a woman fights for the right of her grandchildren to a regular school leaving certificate .
Web links
- www.rhema.de - today's official website of the faith center
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Neues Bayreuther Gemeindeblatt April / May 2008: What do other Christians believe? (PDF file) ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ From the official website: Interview with preacher K. Siegling on the CCR website
- ↑ See websites siegling-ministries.de and glory-international.net
- ↑ a b website of Glory International: The time is ripe for Europe - Glory International
- ↑ Glory International website: The current situation
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↑ Glory International website: A burnt-out leader experienced restoration through the ministry of Pastor Katharine Siegling ;
The comparison with other Charismatic Churches here obviously refers to the Word and Spirit Church in Röhrnbach, Hamburg should therefore be meant as a reference to the Anskar Church of the well-known Pastor Wolfram Kopfermann - ^ Page of the Archdiocese of Bamberg: Working with camouflage and deception - Conference of the women's association on new offers on the religious market
- ↑ a b website of the RBB: Report on homeschooling by followers of religious denominations ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
