Over the past five decades, the concept of Gemeindepädagogik (congregational pedagogy) has developed into an important field of discussion within German religious education and church practice. Its practical significance is evident in the establishment of numerous training institutions and the emergence of the congregational educator as a distinct church profession. Despite this institutional growth, scholarly reflection on the concept remains relatively underdeveloped. In particular, only limited attention has been given to the communication of the Gospel and the transmission of Christian faith under the conditions of contemporary society. The current situation of the church in Germany is shaped by declining traditional religious commitments, increasing social pluralism, and profound cultural transformations that require individuals to make new decisions regarding values and life orientation. Consequently, churches face the challenge of communicating the Christian faith in ways that are understandable and meaningful not only to believers but also to non-Christians and even critics of Christianity. This communication must be accessible to people of diverse ages, genders, educational backgrounds, social conditions, and cultural contexts while maintaining theological clarity and integrity. Against this background, the study argues that Korean churches should engage more seriously with the theory and practice of Gemeindepädagogik. Korean Christianity currently faces both external challenges from religious sects and internal crises caused by failures of church leadership. Congregational pedagogy can contribute to strengthening ecclesial identity, enhancing faith communication, and addressing these challenges responsibly. Therefore, this study examines selected scholarly perspectives on German Gemeindepädagogik, identifies its current position and significance, and explores implications for church educational ministry in Korea. By comparing theological and pedagogical approaches as complementary perspectives, the study concludes with several practical suggestions for contemporary church education in the Korean context.
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Ⅰ. Einleitung Ⅱ. Religionspädagogische Perspektiven auf die Gemeindepädagogik in Deutschland 1. Gemeindepädagogische Positionen von Enno Rosenboom 2. Eva Heßlers Problematisierung der Gemeindepädagogik 3. Die Auffassung Gottfried Adams zur Gemeindepädagogik 4. Rainer Lachmanns zentrale Position zur Gemeindepädagogik Ⅲ. Entwürfe zur kirchlichen Praxis und Vorschläge zur Gemeindepädagogik 1. Entwurf eines Ausbildungskonzepts für kirchliche Mitarbeitende in der kirchlichen Praxis 2. Vorschläge zur Gemeindepädagogik Ⅳ. Kernpunkte der Reflexion der Gemeindepädagogik in Deutschland Ⅴ. Vorschläge für die Gemeindepädagogik Ⅵ. Schlusswort: Vorschläge für die Gemeindepädagogik in Korea Bibliography Abstract