INTRODUCTION
:: Intro
:: Global Crossroads For A Church Planting Movement

RESOURCES
:: Get the RCPC Church Planter Manual
:: Got Church Planting in You? Find Out!

Christian Nowatzky, 26, was born in East Germany. Nowatzky studied theology and received an M.Div. at Freie Theologische Ackademie in Giessen, Germany and an M.A. in Biblical and Exegetical Studies from Glouchester University, GB. He has completed several internships in Germany and most recently at Redeemer. He just returned to Berlin to launch Berlinprojekt with fellow church planter, Konstantin von Abendroth.

A View of the City
Berlin used to be an icon of the Cold War – a place where the division of the world into two opposing blocks, the democratic West and communistic East, was most obvious. But when the Wall came down in 1989, it also became a symbol for progressive change and a new future. The aim was to rebuild Berlin into a fitting new capital for a unified Germany right in the heart of a united Europe.

Today, Berlin is a city with 3.4 million people and a power-center for the European Union. It is a major European art center with three opera houses, four major art schools, renowned symphonies, the Berlinale film festival and a wide range of theaters. German life-style companies like Puma, Adidas, Hugo Boss and Joop do their trend-scouting in the city. Besides that, a strong alternative, artistic and very post-modern culture has been developing among those in their 20's and early 30's that can be found mainly in the more diverse and eclectic East of the city. Much like the Village and Williamsburg areas of New York City, those parts of Berlin capture the imagination of the artists and thinkers and is defining the culture and lifestyle of this generation.

One would hope that with the influential role of Berlin there would be Christians with a vision for the Gospel in Germany. But only 1% of Berlin's population is Christian in a biblical sense. And in spite of the country's rich religious heritage, this generation doesn't know about the Christian faith. They are spiritually interested, but mostly opposed to Christianity. With a largely atheistic culture from East Berlin integrating with a materialistic West Berlin, the city has become a secular mecca.

The younger generation has become increasingly disillusioned with the breakdown of basic values and systems - the East-German government, family, guaranteed prosperity. With this disillusionment, they have heavily bought into post-modern attitudes and thinking. They want to focus on the here and now, rather than the future. Being real and authentic is important to them. Easy answers as well as many absolutes and values of the parent generation are not persuasive to them.

But this climate reveals two basic needs that can be met by the gospel and the church in a supreme way: the need for reliable authentic friendships, and the longing for a deep, real spirituality. If these needs were addressed in a relevant way, a real interest in the gospel could occur. ""We aren't 'building bridges' between cultures," Nowatzky ruminates. “We want to be in the generation – incarnate within the community."

"While there is some biblical Christian influence in Berlin, there is no single relevant church for the new post-modern generation in the center of Berlin - those in their 20's and 30's. There are a small number of lively churches that exist. But both Catholic and Protestant mainline churches are experiencing a drastic decline in membership that has never been seen before."

Get Involved Prayer and financial donations are needed for the success of this project. Please consider getting involved and finding out more by going to www.berlinprojekt.org. You can also get regular updates by registering in the newsletter section. If you want to make a donation to the Berlinprojekt please make your check payable to Redeemer Presbyterian Church or Church Planting Center and put "Berlinprojekt" on the memo line.

Building the Vision
Given this landscape, Nowatzky realized that Berlin had a crucial role in the cultural formation of Germany and Europe which had not yet been fully recognized by the German church. He was also deeply touched by the lack of perspective and hope among his amazingly dynamic and progressive generation.

In his early 20’s, he went to seminary, gaining experience in building a large local youth ministry and completing several internships both in Europe and the States. In 2003, he was joined by a friend, Konstantin von Abendroth, to prepare for a new church plant in Berlin, and the Berlinprojekt crossed the line from a mere dream to an actual project.

As planning continued, they garnered the support of both Redeemer Church Planting Center in NYC and the Evangelical Free Church in Germany, and developed their vision for the kind of church it would be.

"We have to believe and communicate the supremacy of the Gospel," said Nowatzky, highlighting one central point of the vision. "In Germany, the Christian scene is bombarded by secularism. It's not enough to say: 'The gospel is the only way' - you have to be able to explain it and make sense out of it to people that do know what they are talking about."

The Nitty-Gritty
Fundraising has been a steady effort with funds coming in mainly from German churches and individuals. "The Christian scene in Germany is small and there is no culture of individuals giving to individuals in Germany due to the heavy engagement of the government in funding matters of public and private life," he explains. "Therefore, we have to approach churches and individuals in the U.S. to financially support Berlinprojekt."

In January 2005, a start team of 12 devoted people began regular meetings with the goal of defining the vision and future face of the Berlinprojekt in detail. They plan to invite non-believers to open discussion groups at their homes using a non-threatening, introductory course (Christianity Explored) to teach and address questions about Christianity. Soon after, they will start unofficial worship meetings.

In addition, various other activities such as a music school, campus outreach and profession-specific groups are planned to build contacts to students, young professionals and people connected to the arts.

Living the Life
With all this preparation, Nowatzky stresses the need for a vital spiritual life that is lived among non-Christian friends and with an appreciation of the current culture. "When I realized how much I am myself a post-modern individual, it didn't scare me – it released me. There is a force in the gospel that hits right into the longing and searching of post-modern people. And it is about time that our friends get the chance to hear the gospel in a relevant way."

Berlinprojekt is still in the planning stage, but I feel like Nowatzky is telling me about a church that already exists. He even mentions the vision for other future projects in Frankfurt and Hamburg. As he talks, he watches the bustle of the streets here in Manhattan, but I think he really sees the young people of Berlin who are still waiting for the Gospel...