The Anabaptists were not only critical concerning the ecclesiastical situation of their era, how the whole civil society could live together in a good way was also very important to them. “Be on the lookout for the best for the city!” was one their maxims. For them, to be free to live according to their convictions also meant to be free to insist on justice and well-being for others. For example, some of them knew about the healing arts and thereby ministered to many who were suffering.

Today, from the point of view of the social sciences, churches and their congregations are a part of civil society and are just one of many players that contribute to public life.

• • Where would you like to see the churches more involved in promoting good communal life?
• • Where do you see the current involvement of the churches as being problematic and wish for more restraint?

Current examples

• Projects (in german) of the Working Group of Christian churches in the Bern Region (AKiB)
• “The church finds the city (in German)”