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The
Christian Community consists of independent congregations
incorporated as nonprofit (charitable) organizations. The
priests in each congregation have responsibility for what
should take place sacramentally in their community. Priests'
teaching arises from their priestly experience and insights,
and is not required to conform to any dogmatic structure.
In social and financial realms, priests and lay people work together to form a board of trustees and initiative groups. The community
does not choose (elect) priests; they are appointed by the
leadership of The Christian Community. Priests are financially supported, not according
to performance, age, seniority, or educational background,
but according to the resources of the congregation and the
needs of the priest and his or her family. The vocation
of priest is full time.Congregations
in a geographic area are joined in a "region".
The region is also a nonprofit body.There
are several levels of responsibility within the circle of
priests to enable helpful cooperation and oversight:
· priests
in the congregations· regional
coordinators for the guidance of the work in the regions
· central
coordinators for the guidance of The Christian Community
worldwide (the headquarters is in Berlin, Germany).
In
addition to the United States and Canada, congregations
exist in Germany, Scandinavia, Finland, Great Britain, Ireland,
Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic,
Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Namibia,
Australia, New Zealand
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Alexej von Jawlensky
(ca. 1921)
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