Map of Germany
The Evangelical Church in Germany is a federation of 20 independent Lutheran, Reformed and United regional churches in the Federal Republic of Germany. Each of the regional churches is governed by its synod, by the theologians (mostly titled "bishops") elected by the synod, by regional church offices and other managing bodies. Synods consist of professional and honorary members. On behalf of the regional church, they take decisions concerning all areas of church life. The regional churches maintain numerous contacts with other churches in Germany and abroad.
In 1945, the regional churches joined together in the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), comprising the member churches of the EKD. Due to historically grown structures, the borders of regional churches and federal states sometimes differ considerably. Most regional churches are also members of one of the two denominational federations: the Union of Evangelical Churches in the EKD (UEK) or the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD).
Regional churches belonging to the EKD, the UEK, and the VELDK:
Regional churches belonging to the EKD and the UEK:
- Evangelical Church of Anhalt
- Evangelical Church of Baden
- Evangelical Church Berlin - Brandenburg - Silesian Upper Lusatia
- Evangelical Church of Bremen
- Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
- Evangelical Church of Hesse Electorate - Waldeck
- Church of Lippe
- Evangelical Church of the Palatinate
- Evangelical Reformed Church
- Evangelical Church of the Rhineland
- Evangelical Church of Westphalia
Regional churches belonging to the EKD and the VELKD:
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brunswick
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Schaumburg-Lippe