Die Allianz-Mission und der Bund Freier evangelischer Gemeinden (BFeG): die Geschichte ihrer Beziehung und deren theologische Begründung = The German Alliance-Mission and the Federation of Free evangelical Churches in Germany: the history of their relationship and its theological rationale

Abstract

This thesis describes the unique transition of the German Alliance-Mission (GAM) from an interdenominational faith mission to a denominational church mission agency. This process was begun and developed by the affiliation on the Federation of Free Evangelical Churches in Germany (FFEC). The GAM was in the beginning stage an intentionally interdenominational mission agency. Their founding fathers Carl Polnick and Fredrik Franson were against denominationalism. Therefore they could not imagine approaching one particular denomination to work together. However, in the 1920's the GAM became more denominationally minded through the influence of the new mission leaders. After World War II the leaders of GAM and FFEC began to negotiate about cooperation. In 1960 the FFEC leaders asked their individual congregations to support the GAM only. In 1975, it became necessary to record an agreement. This agreement made the GAM the official world mission organisation of the FFEC in Germany.