PRESS RELEASE
More than two decades after the first doctrinal dialogue between the European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), the current situation of Christianity in Europe offers a renewed opportunity to continue the dialogue, to bring Protestant churches closer together, and to pursue Christ’s prayer that all may be one.
In autumn 2024, both the CPCE General Assembly and the EBF Council formally initiated a renewed dialogue process. The first meeting of the new dialogue commission took place from 10 to 12 March at the Theological Seminary of the Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany (Bund Evangelisch-Freikirchlicher Gemeinden) in Elstal, Germany.
The meeting brought together the two delegations, each consisting of five delegates and a delegation secretary. Grounded in a shared commitment to the visible unity of Christ’s church in Europe, the participants explored questions of ecclesiology, tradition, and the common witness of the Gospel.
“I am very grateful to be part of a new ecumenical dialogue that seriously explores possibilities for deepening church communion between CPCE and the Baptist unions within the EBF. To my delight, the process brings together profoundly qualified men and women from different church and cultural contexts who are working on a necessary theological basis,” said Prof. Dr. Oliver Pilnei, delegation chair from the European Baptist Federation.
“It is a profound experience to see how much our shared Bible study and discussions about the current challenges facing Christian life have brought us together. When it comes to the theological questions that still need to be answered, there are already compelling concepts from other dialogues, as well as some excellent real-life examples,” said Prof. Dr. Miriam Rose, delegation chair from the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe.
The conversations were marked by a spirit of mutual respect, genuine curiosity, and deep appreciation for the gifts each tradition brings to the table. The representatives left Elstal encouraged and energised, expressing their shared hope that this dialogue will bear fruit for the life and witness of their churches.
The dialogue process is planned to include five to six meetings, accompanied by interim reports to the EBF and CPCE. After the initial dialogue meetings, an online conference with broader participation from both sides is envisioned in order to deepen the contextual exchange. A final text will be presented to the CPCE Council and the EBF Council in 2028. The results of the dialogue will also contribute to the agenda of the CPCE General Assembly in 2031.
Dialogue Commission Members
EBF Delegation Prof. Dr. Oliver Pilnei (Elstal) – Chair Prof. Dr. Otniel Bunaciu (Bucaherst) Rev. Dr. Ruth Moriarty (London) Rev. Dr. Christian Wehde (Burscheid) Rev. Karin Wiborn (Stockholm) Kieryn Wurts, M.A. (Berlin) – Delegation Secretary
CPCE Delegation Prof. Dr. Miriam Rose (Basel) – Chair Rev. Prof. Dr. Pawel Gajewski (Napoli) Rev. Prof. Dr. Ábrahám Kovács (Debrecen) Rev. Dr. Peter McEnhill (Cambridge) Rev. Dr. Jørgen Thaarup (Copenhagen) Rev. Prof. Dr. Thomas-Andreas Põder (Tallinn / Vienna) – Delegation Secretary
Photo caption: Participants in the inaugural session of the EBF–CPCE Dialogue Commission, Elstal, Germany, 10–12 March 2026. Left to right: Christian Wehde, Ruth Moriarty, Otniel Bunaciu, Jørgen Thaarup, Thomas-Andreas Põder, Miriam Rose, Ábrahám Kovács, Oliver Pilnei, Pawel Gajewski, Kieryn Wurts, Karin Wiborn.
About the European Baptist Federation: The European Baptist Federation was founded in 1949 to unite Baptists across Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War. Today, the EBF comprises 59 member bodies in 52 countries, representing approximately 750,000 Baptists across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Home | European Baptist Federation
About the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe: The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) is a communion of churches that brings together 96 Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed, and United churches in more than 30 countries in Europe and South America. Together, these churches have around 40 million Protestant members. By signing the Leuenberg Agreement in 1973, the member churches declared church communion and committed themselves to “common witness and service.” Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe CPCE |