In this special on-location episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey visits Gießen, Germany, to explore a remarkable work of confessional Reformed renewal. Through conversations with Jochen Klautke, Lukas Strauß, and Philip Paul, listeners are introduced to the Academy for Reformed Theology, a growing seminary that serves students across German-speaking Europe through a hybrid model of in-person intensives, online instruction, and close partnership with local churches. The episode also traces the recent formation of a new continental Reformed denomination in Germany, the challenges of church planting in a highly secular and heavily taxed society, and the need for pastors who can preach, plant, and patiently build confessional churches from the ground up by God’s grace.
What emerges is a deeply encouraging portrait of ordinary, faithful labor. The conversation highlights the need for indigenous theological leadership, German-language Reformed resources, and strong ecclesial communities where believers are not left to grow in isolation. Lucas reflects on discovering Reformed theology and using podcasting and social media to introduce it to German listeners, while Philip describes the theological journey that led his family to move for the sake of a confessional church home. Taken together, these conversations offer a vivid glimpse into the opportunities and difficulties of gospel ministry in Germany today—and a compelling call to pray for theological training, church planting, and lasting Reformed witness.
Links
- Academy for Reformed Theology (Akademie für Reformatorische Theologie)
- Bund Bekennender Evangelisch—Reformierter Gemeinden (or BBERG) — the Confederation of Confessing Evangelical Reformed Churches in German-speaking Europe
- Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Chapters
- 0:00 — Introduction from Gießen, Germany
- 3:36 — The Academy for Reformed Theology—history and mission
- 7:23 — How the seminary serves students across Germany and Switzerland
- 13:14 — Why part-time theological training matters in Germany
- 16:53 — A new confessional Reformed denomination in Germany
- 21:43 — What church planting requires: men, people, and finances
- 25:59 — How the seminary is funded and how students manage study and work
- 28:51 — Why Germany needs indigenous Reformed pastors and literature
- 34:53 — Bullinger, suffering, and providence
- 38:56 — Lukas Strauß on becoming Reformed and serving through media
- 49:18 — Podcasting, social media, and explaining Reformed theology in German
- 58:17 — Why Reformed believers in Germany need real church connection
- 1:02:23 — Philip Paul on law, theology, and moving for church
- 1:18:09 — From Calvinism to covenant theology and paedobaptism
- 1:32:46 — Elder service, church commitment, and counsel for German Christians
- 1:39:13 — Reasons for gratitude and prayer for Reformed churches in Germany
Participants: Camden Bucey, Jochen Klautke, Lukas Strauß, Philip Paul
Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living. Browse more episodes from this program or subscribe to the podcast feed.
