Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland

What Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland does

The Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland (EKM) is a regional Protestant church body (Landeskirche) within the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), serving 658,693 registered members across the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia as well as parts of Saxony and Brandenburg. Founded in 2009 through the merger of the Evangelische Kirche der Kirchenprovinz Sachsen and the Evangelische Kirche von Kurhessen-Waldeck (Thüringer Landeskirche), the organization operates a network of more than 4,000 churches and chapels — approximately 20% of all Protestant churches in Germany — including 8 autobahn churches that serve roughly 1 million travelers annually. Its episcopal seat is in Magdeburg, while the administrative Landeskirchenamt is headquartered in Erfurt; regional bishops oversee the Sprengel of Erfurt, Magdeburg, and the wider territory. The EKM's functional scope covers worship services, sacraments (baptism, confirmation, marriage, burial), pastoral counseling, religious education, charitable work via Diakonie Mitteldeutschland, refugee and peace advocacy, cultural programming (including the Achava interfaith festival and concerts), and civic engagement campaigns such as 'Herz statt Hetze'.

The EKM's service portfolio blends extensive physical infrastructure with a growing digital footprint. Core digital products include the EKM-Newsletter subscription service, the 'Geschuettelt Gertuehrt' EKM Podcast hosted by Solveig Grahl, the OnlineKirche virtual worship platform, Radio-Andachten audio devotions, a Gemeindesuche church directory, an interactive Kirchenlandkarte map, and the EKM-Shop e-commerce portal selling branded materials and Christopheruswerk products. Underlying technology consists of standard web, audio/video streaming, and RSS infrastructure without disclosed proprietary or AI/ML components. Operational units include the Gemeindedienst der EKM service center in Neudietendorf and the Lothar-Kreyssig-Ökumenezentrum in Magdeburg, alongside roughly 910 trained volunteer worship leaders. The organization also offers theology study pathways at Jena, Halle, and Berlin and runs an information hotline (0800-50 40 602).

The EKM's revenue model is dominated by Kirchensteuer (church tax), an 8–9% surcharge on income tax collected directly by the German state on behalf of recognized religious corporations — a quasi-statutory, subscription-equivalent recurring stream tied to formal member registration. Supplementary revenue derives from voluntary donations and Sunday offerings (Sonntagskollekte), proceeds from the EKM-Shop, occasional fees for cemetery services or non-member ceremonies, and state or cultural grants for specific programs. The church is governed by the Landessynode (regional synod), the Landesbischof, and the Landeskirchenamt rather than by commercial ownership; current senior leadership includes Landesbischof Friedrich Kramer (who also serves as EKD Peace Representative), Regionalbischöfin Dr. Friederike F. Spengler, Regionalbischof Tobias Schüfer, Regionalbischöfin Bettina Schlauraff, and Dezernent Christian Fuhrmann. Press and communications are handled by spokespersons Ralf-Uwe Beck, Friedemann Kahl, and Susanne Sobko. Key partners include the EKD umbrella, the Deutsche Bischofskonferenz, the Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia, Diakonie Mitteldeutschland, pax christi, and the Thüringer Symphoniker Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.

Name

Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland

Legal name

Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland

Website

https://ekmd.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland is a regional Protestant church serving 658,693 members across Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and parts of Saxony and Brandenburg, providing worship, pastoral care, sacraments, and community programs through 4,000+ churches and digital platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Denominational & Community Periodicals (Church Magazines, Diocesan/Temple Newsletters) (MPAJAHAI), Religious & Spiritual Festivals/Observances (Public Events) (MPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Pastoral care
• Worship ministry
• Ecclesiastical administration
• Faith community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Erfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Church Tax (Kirchensteuer): The primary revenue source is church tax collected from members. In 2020, the EKM had 658,693 members. The church tax constitutes the main funding for the church's operations, staff, and community services.
2. Donations and Offerings: Voluntary donations, Sunday offerings (Sonntagskollekte), and charitable contributions support various church programs and social initiatives.
3. EKM Online Shop: Sale of church materials, merchandise, and publications through the EKM Webshop for public relations materials, signs, and Christopheruswerk products.
4. Member Dues: Annual membership contributions based on religious affiliation and income, with 6,514 people leaving the church in 2020 and 333 re-entering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland (EKM) is a regional Protestant church body that delivers worship services, sacraments (baptism, communion, marriage, funerals), pastoral counseling, and religious education across more than 4,000 parishes in Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and parts of Saxony and Brandenburg. It supplements in-person ministry with digital outreach including the OnlineKirche platform, podcast series, radio devotions, and an e-commerce shop for church materials, while supporting charitable programs through Diakonie Mitteldeutschland and cultural initiatives such as the Achava Festival.

Product overview

The Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland (EKM) operates as a regional Protestant church body (Landeskirche) covering Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and parts of Saxony and Brandenburg. Its service portfolio centers on spiritual care and community ministry, offering traditional church services, pastoral counseling (Seelsorge), and lifecycle rites (Kasualien). Digital engagement is facilitated through the EKM-Newsletter subscription service, the EKM-Podcast series, OnlineKirche for virtual worship, and Radio-Andachten for audio devotions. The church operates eight Autobahnkirchen (highway churches) providing rest and reflection for travelers. Administrative and parish support services include the Gemeindedienst center, a Gemeindesuche directory, and the EKM-Shop for church materials. Public engagement campaigns such as 'Herz statt Hetze' address civic and democratic themes, while seasonal initiatives like EKM-Sommeraktion foster community participation. The church maintains its own design standards (EKM-Design) and publishes annual statistics on membership and religious ceremonies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Worship Services and Sacraments (Gottesdienste und Kasualien) Regular Protestant worship services, baptisms, communions, weddings, and funerals delivered across the EKM territory at local parishes, intended for members and visitors.
• Pastoral Care and Seelsorge Spiritual counseling and pastoral support for members and the public, available through parishes and dedicated Seelsorge services.
• OnlineKirche Digital worship platform offering online church services, streamed religious content, and virtual participation for remote members and seekers.
• Radio-Andachten (Radio Devotions) Audio religious devotions and reflections broadcast via regional radio stations for listeners across the EKM region.
• EKM Podcast "Geschuettelt Gertuehrt" Regular podcast series hosted by Solveig Grahl featuring church news, conversations, and discussions on faith-related topics.
• EKM Newsletter Subscription-based newsletter service keeping readers informed about EKM news, press releases, events, and faith-based content.
• Autobahnkirchen (Highway Churches) Eight highway churches along the A2, A4, A9, A14, A38, A71, and A73 autobahns offering travelers space for rest, reflection, and prayer daily from 8am to 8pm.
• Gemeindebrief (Parish Newsletter Portal) Newsletter and editorial portal providing templates, photos, graphics, and text modules for parish and congregational newsletters.
• Gemeindesuche (Parish and Personnel Directory) Online search tool enabling members and visitors to locate churches, parishes, and clergy throughout the EKM region.
• EKM Webshop (Online Shop for Church Materials) Online retail shop selling church-related merchandise including public relations materials, signs for church buildings, business cards for church employees, and products from Christopheruswerk.
• Gemeindedienst der EKM (Congregational Service Center) Congregational service unit headquartered at Neudietendorf that provides support resources, training, and operational assistance to parishes across the EKM.
• Rast für die Seele (Rest for the Soul) Joint digital prayer and devotion platform developed in partnership with the Deutsche Bischofskonferenz (Catholic German Bishops' Conference) and the Akademie des Versicherers im Raum der Kirchen (VRK-Akademie), providing spiritual content for travelers.
• Kirchenlandkarte (Interactive Church Map) Interactive online map showing all church districts, parishes, monasteries, and chapels within the EKM territory.
• EKM-Statistik (Annual Statistical Reporting) Annual statistical report publishing data on church membership, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other ecclesiastical metrics.
• Charitable and Refugee Support Programs (incl. NesT) Charitable and social welfare programs delivered with Diakonie Mitteldeutschland and partners, including targeted support for refugees and displaced persons from Ukraine and other regions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 658,693 church members served in 2020
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reformierte Christliche Kirche in der Slowakei (RKS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2022The EKM and the Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia signed a church partnership agreement on July 14, 2022, in Magdeburg. The partnership was signed by Bishop Friedrich Kramer and Bishop Róbert Géresi. The relationship began with stipendiary programs allowing Slovak pastors to study in Halle/Saale and stay at the Reformed Convict. The partnership includes exchange programs, spiritual fellowship, and joint initiatives. The RKS has 98,797 members in 319 congregations across 9 seniorates.
• Thüringer Symphoniker Saalfeld-RudolstadtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Thuringian Symphony Orchestra performs regular 'Musical Devotions' in churches of the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt church district. This cultural partnership brings classical music performances to church spaces and enriches worship with professional musical accompaniment.
• Deutsche BischofskonferenzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project 'Rast für die Seele' (Rest for the Soul) - a digital prayer and devotion platform developed together with the Catholic German Bishops' Conference and the Academy of the Insurer in the Space of Churches (VRK-Akademie).
• Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EKM is part of the EKD, the umbrella organization of Protestant churches in Germany. EKD coordinates nationwide church initiatives, represents Protestant interests at the national level, and facilitates inter-church cooperation.
• pax christicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Catholic peace movement pax christi and EKM's Evangelische Friedensarbeit collaborate on peace advocacy, including trips to Greece to highlight the situation of refugees at EU borders.
• Verein 'Kirche und Tourismus'minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe association 'Church and Tourismus' coordinates pilgrimage paths and interfaith garden projects, including the 'Garden of Religions' at Kloster Reinhardsbrunn, involving five religions.
• Diakonie MitteldeutschlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EKM works closely with Diakonie Mitteldeutschland on charitable programs, social services, and joint advocacy on issues like the 'Herz statt Hetze' democracy campaign.
• Altbischof Christoph DemkeminorOthersAltbischof (Former Bishop) Dr. Christoph Demke served as Bishop from 1983-1997, leading the church through the final years of the DDR and early post-reunification period.
• László FazekasminorOthersEmeritus Bishop of the RKS, one of the first Slovak stipendiary students who studied in Halle and helped establish the partnership relationship.
• Projekt 'Kultur.Raum.Kirche'minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kirchengemeindeverband Magdala project supports artists with performance venues in rural churches, providing both income for artists and cultural programming for communities.
• Menantes-Förderkreis WanderslebenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiterary association maintaining a literature memorial, organizing the Menantes Prize for Erotic Poetry, and recently joined the Thuringian Literature Council.
• Thüringer LiteraturratminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organization of Thuringian literary associations; Menantes-Förderkreis is now a member to contribute literary expertise and cultural experience.
• Erzbistum BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint organizer of the annual ecumenical reception with the Archdiocese of Berlin, Diocese of Magdeburg, and other regional Protestant churches.
• Bistum MagdeburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the ecumenical annual reception and joint Catholic-Protestant initiatives in Saxony-Anhalt.
• Akademie des Versicherers im Raum der Kirchen (VRK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVRK-Akademie co-developed the digital prayer platform 'Rast für die Seele' with EKD and Catholic Church, providing spiritual content for travelers.
• Kirchengemeindeverband MagdalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch parish association that runs the 'Kultur.Raum.Kirche' series providing income for regional artists and cultural programming in rural areas.
• Spiel- und Theaterwerkstatt ErfurtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater organization collaborating with EKM's Children's and Youth Pastor's Office on summer theater productions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland (Nordkirche): Largest EKD member church by membership, formed via merger like EKM. Operates with identical Landeskirche governance, church tax funding, and parish network model across northern Germany.
• Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz (EKBO): Neighboring Evangelical Landeskirche covering Berlin, Brandenburg, and parts of Saxony. Directly comparable as a regional Protestant church body with synod, bishop, and shared eastern-German operating context.
• Bistum Magdeburg: Catholic diocese co-located in Magdeburg and a co-organizer of the annual ecumenical reception with EKM. Direct regional peer on the interfaith axis, sharing the same geographic territory and demographic pressures.
• Erzbistum Berlin: Catholic archdiocese covering Berlin and parts of Brandenburg, joint organizer of the annual ecumenical reception with EKM. Direct regional peer sharing the same population base and eastern German secularization environment.
• Evangelische Landeskirche in Württemberg: Major southwestern German Landeskirche with similar synod-bishop-Landeskirchenamt structure, church tax financing, and thousands of parishes. Comparable as a peer regional church body within the EKD.

Emerging players

• Diakonie Mitteldeutschland: EKM-affiliated social services arm operating charitable programs, refugee support, and the 'Herz statt Hetze' democracy campaign. Comparable as a faith-based nonprofit social services provider operating in the same territory.

Broad incumbents

• Caritas Deutschland: National Catholic charitable organization, structurally analogous to the combined EKM-Diakonie network. Comparable as a faith-based social services and advocacy organization operating at national scale in Germany.
• Deutsche Bischofskonferenz: National umbrella of German Catholic dioceses and EKM's direct ecumenical partner on the 'Rast für die Seele' digital platform. Comparable as a denominational governance body coordinating regional churches and representing institutional religion in Germany.
• Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD): National umbrella of all Protestant Landeskirchen including EKM. Comparable as a coordinating governance and advocacy body operating one level above EKM in the same denominational hierarchy.

Others

• Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland (ACK): National ecumenical council of Christian churches in Germany. Comparable as a coordinating body for inter-church initiatives in which EKM participates; relevant for understanding the broader interfaith governance landscape.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EKM_online
• Facebookfacebook.com/ekmd.de
• Instagraminstagram.com/ekm_online
• Xx.com/EKMnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/evangelische-kirche-in-mitteldeutschland-ekm-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland