Collection of Quotations

Why do they like to go to the Johanneskirche… "…I know the feeling to have the Sunday just for yourself: 1. Sleep late, 2. Cut off everything, 3. Rest. Only, most of the time it doesn't work! 1. Slept too long – headache, 2. and 3. Something always needs to be done, (e.g. clear up things, move things, clean up things…whatever). And the day is over. Nothing sensible done. Your are still longing to relax properly. Give your soul some peace. You'd believe it or not, one place where you can achieve this is the Sunday Service. As soon as you have started singing cheerful Christian songs you don't want to stop. And then the silence and the peace while you are praying to God. And HE listens. Super…" (German, 32) "…I go the Johanneskirche and I like to go there because… values and standards concerning my life are conveyed to me there, because I found Brothers and Sisters there, friends whom I can rely on even when times get rough. Because reading the bible makes me understand God, how HE loves us human beings as HIS creatures, and because we can get together there in a nice, attractive environment…" (Jürgen Hanf, Church Representative) "…I like to go to the Johanneskirche because there I can praise God and thank HIM in many ways, because I experience a lot of cheerfulness and true solidarity, and of course because I can enjoy a good cup of coffee in the WesleyCafé…" (Joachim Westphal, Church Representative) "…I go to the Johanneskirche because there I get new impulses for my faith in my every days life - because there I just feel well – because I like to celebrate cheerful Services – because I get useful hints from other young families for our new situation in life as a family – because there I meet friends – because I have a lot of fun to volunteer in the Sunday School…" (Tabea, 27) "…because many years ago I found my personal beliefs in Jesus Christ through this congregation and because today I need God's Word as much as the solidarity with other Christians for my life…" (Benno, 68) "We have one comfort: He who has created the heart is able to cure it." (John Wesley 1703-1791, from collection of quotations) "You look too much inside and too little above." (John Wesley 1703-1791, from collection of quotations)

Our Basic Beliefs / Aims

Variety, God's Love, Solidarity, Clearness, Relationships, God With Us, Prayer, Effects, Passing On, Leadership – those are the headlines of our 10 Basic Priorities which had been developed 1999 in the Johanneskirche by her church leaders. They are not meant to express fundamental convictions of our faith but to emphasize certain subjects, to represent a profile. You may read the entire document below. The German version you can download as a PDF (22KB!). Variety: We are convinced that our congregation lives from the variety of people who join in and out. We are happy about the varied getting-together of kids and older people, of foreigners and natives, of the poor and the rich. All are cordially welcome. God's Love: We are convinced that God's Love ist above all theological doctrines. We want an open exchange about the Words Of God. God is greater than our understanding. Solidarity: We are convinced that the congregation is part of the worldwide Christendom. We are happy where solidarity with many Christians from other congregations and churches can be achieved. Clearness: We are convinced that the congregation should be a place where everybody feels well. To achieve this requires a style in music, language and shape which is as well attractive outside the church. Relationships: We are convinced that personal relationships among each other is an important part of our congregation. We are happy about personal friendships, practising a loving company and the continuous ability of forgiving one another. God with us: We are convinced that God must have a lot of room around us and in our church. Here people are listening to God's guidance and here they work to intensify their relationship with God. We are happy that God's interaction can be experienced. Prayer: We are convinced that our church is a place for prayers, too. We are happy to commonly worship God and put our concerns before him. We experience this as a source of power which gives us strength. Effects: We are convinced that obeying the Words Of God has effects to our lives. The faith must be followed by deeds. As a congregation we have a responsibility for our neighbours and the Creation. To practise this God has gifted everyone of us. Passing On: We are convinced that everyone of us has the duty to pass on to other people that God loves them and that they are important to him. We are happy about every opportunity where this is achieved. Leadership: We are convinced that congregation needs leaders. God delegates and supplies them with the necessary abilities. We keep asking God for wisdom and visions on how he wishes to shape our congregation.