Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverband

The Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverband, commonly known as Die Apis, is a free association within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, Germany. Founded on 19 March 1857 in Stuttgart, it is part of the Gemeinschaftsbewegung (community movement) and a member of the Gnadauer Verband. In November 2009 it adopted the name Evangelischer Gemeinschaftsverband Württemberg e. V., while retaining the informal brand Die Apis. The association is headquartered in Stuttgart and operates in around 500 locations across Württemberg and the Bavarian Allgäu, where approximately 10,000 members meet weekly for Bible studies, house groups, and children's and youth activities. Its mission is to keep faith in Jesus Christ alive and to strengthen it. Die Apis is self-organized and financed exclusively through voluntary contributions and donations. It employs about 60 full-time staff and more than 1,000 volunteers. Some full-time workers meet the quality criteria for community congregations within the Protestant church, allowing Die Apis to celebrate services with official acts such as baptisms, confirmations, and weddings. The association also runs the Christian guest and conference center Schönblick in Schwäbisch Gmünd, which includes a swimming pool and wellness area. Its charitable kindergarten organization is called Aktion Hoffnungsland gGmbH. Over its history, Die Apis has published its own hymnals, including the Kleine Liederschatz (1897) and the Philadelphia-Lieder (1930), which were used by other community associations until replaced in the 1990s by the Gnadauer hymnal Jesus unsere Freude. Annual events include the Landesjugendtreffen (LaJu), the Hülbener Konferenzen, and the Jusi-Treffen in Kohlberg. Since 2008, the association has awarded the Hoffnungsträger-Preis, endowed with 5,000 euros, to individuals who have demonstrated social commitment. The current chairman is Pastor Matthias Hanßmann, who took office on 1 November 2021, succeeding Pastor Steffen Kern.

The Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverband was founded on 19 March 1857 in Stuttgart, where its headquarters remain to this day. It emerged within the pietistic and evangelical movement in Württemberg and became part of the broader Gemeinschaftsbewegung, a network of community associations within Protestant churches in Germany. The association is a member of the Gnadauer Verband, the umbrella organization of such community groups. From its early years, the association was led by a series of chairmen, beginning with Pastor Karl Friedrich Werner (1857–1881). Subsequent leaders included Pastor Wilhelm Claus (1881–1890), Oberlehrer J. Christian Dietrich (1890–1897), Rektor Christian Dietrich (1897–1919), Inspektor Friedrich Lutz (1919–1924), Pastor Wilhelm Horn (1924–1958), Pastor Fritz Rienecker (1958–1962), Pastor Immanuel Grötzinger (1964–1973), Pastor Walter Schaal (1973–1991), Rektor Otto Schaude (1991–2008), and Pastor Steffen Kern (2008–2021). Since 1 November 2021, Pastor Matthias Hanßmann has served as chairman. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the association published its own hymnals. In 1897, the Kleine Liederschatz, edited by Christoph König, appeared. In 1930, the Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverband in Württemberg published the Philadelphia-Lieder, which were also used by other community associations. These were replaced in the 1990s by the Gemeinschaftsliederbuch Jesus unsere Freude, published by the Evangelischer Gnadauer Gemeinschaftsverband. Over time, the association expanded its activities. It established the Christliches Gästezentrum Württemberg Schönblick in Schwäbisch Gmünd, a conference and guest center with swimming pool and wellness facilities. It also founded Aktion Hoffnungsland gGmbH, a charitable organization operating kindergartens. In November 2009, the association adopted the official name Evangelischer Gemeinschaftsverband Württemberg e. V., while continuing to use the brand Die Apis. Annual events such as the Hülbener Konferenzen, which trace back to the early 19th-century pietist schoolteacher Jakob Friedrich Kullen, and the Jusi-Treffen in Kohlberg, a hundred-year-old open-air service, became hallmarks of the association's calendar. Since 2008, the association has awarded the Hoffnungsträger-Preis to recognize socially engaged individuals. Today, Die Apis operates in around 500 locations in Württemberg and the Bavarian Allgäu, with approximately 10,000 members meeting weekly.

• Founded in Stuttgart.

• Publication of the Kleine Liederschatz hymnal, edited by Christoph König.

• Publication of the Philadelphia-Lieder hymnal.

• First awarding of the Hoffnungsträger-Preis.

• Renamed to Evangelischer Gemeinschaftsverband Württemberg e. V.

• Matthias Hanßmann becomes chairman, succeeding Steffen Kern.

A pietistic and evangelical community association within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, emphasizing voluntary commitment and faith strengthening.

• 1897

  Kleine Liederschatz

  Hymnal edited by Christoph König.

• 1930

  Philadelphia-Lieder

  Hymnal published by the Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverband in Württemberg, used by other community associations.

• Jesus unsere Freude

  Gemeinschaftsliederbuch published by the Evangelischer Gnadauer Gemeinschaftsverband, replacing the Philadelphia-Lieder in the 1990s.

1. 1Startseitedie-apis.de
2. 2Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverbandde.wikipedia.org
3. 3Altpietistischer Gemeinschaftsverbandwikidata.org
4. 4404die-apis.de