06.06.2006
More People Joined Austrian Church in 2005
The number of people who joined the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria grew by 14 percent in 2005, considerably more than in 2004, according to an April 2006 analysis. The number of those leaving the church declined by 4 percent.Baptisms at the church increased by 6 percent and marriages by 3.69 percent, in the same year. Confirmation of young people rose by 3.64 percent as well, indicating relatively stable membership overall. As of 31 December 2005, the church had 324,296 members compared with 325,429 in 2004, a decline of 0.35 percent.
Bishop Herwig Sturm attributes these results to the church's three-year-long reorganization, currently in its second phase. He notes that the church is an "inviting church," beyond the boundaries of its own membership. He says it is important to strengthen ties with congregational members and "openly turn to people outside of the congregation." The issue of spirituality has been a previous highlight, and the current emphasis on a "child-friendly church" enables local congregations to experience "encouragement and strength," firsthand. (180 words)
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