Synod of the Protestant Church in Germany

The Synod of the Protestant Church in Germany (German: Synode der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland, often shortened to Synode der EKD) is one of the three governing bodies of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), alongside the Council (Rat) and the Church Conference (Kirchenkonferenz). It is a legislative assembly that deliberates and decides on matters affecting the EKD, including church laws on budget, data protection, and other internal regulations, as well as proposals from the Council and the Church Conference. The Synod typically convenes once a year for a multi-day public session in a different German city, hosted by one of the EKD's member churches. According to Article 24 of the EKD's constitution (Grundordnung), as amended in 2020, the Synod consists of 128 members. Of these, 100 are elected by the synods of the 20 member churches, and 28 are appointed by the EKD Council, with particular consideration given to individuals significant to the life of the whole church and the work of church agencies. Each member has two substitutes. The term of office is six years. In addition, eight youth delegates under 30 participate each year, sent by the Working Group of Protestant Youth, the Protestant Student Community, and the Student Mission in Germany. The Synod is led by a presidium headed by a president (Präses), currently Anna-Nicole Heinrich since 2021, with two vice-presidents and four assessors. The joint office of the Synod, the Full Conference of the Union of Evangelical Churches, and the General Synod of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany is located in the Church Office of the EKD in Hannover-Herrenhausen. The Synod's responsibilities include passing church laws, electing the EKD Council together with the Church Conference, and addressing major theological and social issues. Notable sessions include the 1950 Stuttgart Declaration of Guilt regarding the church's complicity in Nazi crimes, the 1985 meeting on relations with the Catholic Church, the first all-German Synod after reunification in 1991, and the first fully digital Synod in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Synod remains a key forum for Protestant self-governance and public witness in Germany.

The Synod of the Protestant Church in Germany (Synode der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland) is a governing body of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). The EKD itself was founded from 27 to 31 August 1945 in Treysa, where around 120 Protestant church leaders gathered after World War II to establish a union of Lutheran, Reformed, and United regional churches. The Synod was constituted as part of this new structure, alongside the Council and the Church Conference. The first Council chairman was Theophil Wurm, the Württemberg state bishop. The Synod's role and composition are defined in the EKD's constitution (Grundordnung), particularly Articles 23 and 24. Over the decades, the Synod has addressed major theological and social issues. In 1950, it acknowledged the church's complicity in Nazi crimes against Jews and issued the "Word on Guilt towards Israel" on 27 April. In 1985, the Synod in Berlin-Spandau discussed relations with the Catholic Church in Germany. After German reunification, the first all-German EKD Synod began its term in 1991; until 1997, it consisted of 134 elected and 26 appointed members to reflect the special situation following the merger of member churches from West and East Germany. In 2003, the 10th Synod in Trier decided to transform arbitration bodies for staff representation disputes into church courts. In 2013, the Synod in Düsseldorf addressed world food and agriculture under the theme "There is enough for all." In November 2020, the first fully digital Synod in EKD history took place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Synod's composition was updated in 2020, setting the number of members at 128. The current 13th Synod was constituted on 6 May 2021. Its 7th session is scheduled for 8–11 November 2026 in Würzburg with the theme "Together onwards – Church as a workshop for democracy education and intergenerational learning as an expression of lived faith." The Synod continues to be a central institution for Protestant self-governance in Germany.

• 2026

  7th session of the 13th Synod scheduled for 8–11 November in Würzburg.

• 2021

  13th Synod constituted on 6 May; Anna-Nicole Heinrich becomes Präses.

• 2020

  First fully digital Synod in EKD history due to COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2013

  Synod in Düsseldorf addresses world food and agriculture under theme 'There is enough for all.'

• 2003

  10th Synod in Trier decides to transform arbitration bodies into church courts.

• 1991

  First all-German EKD Synod after reunification begins its term.

• 1985

  Synod in Berlin-Spandau discusses relations with the Catholic Church in Germany.

• 1950

  Synod acknowledges church's complicity in Nazi crimes and issues 'Word on Guilt towards Israel' on 27 April.

• 1945

  EKD founded in Treysa; Synod constituted as a governing body.

Legislative and governing body of the Evangelical Church in Germany, providing a forum for Protestant self-governance and public witness.

1. 1Synode – EKDekd.de
2. 2Geschichte – EKDekd.de
3. 3Geschichte der EKD – EKDekd.de
4. 4Synod of the Protestant Church in Germany – Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Synode der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org