A+W Aus- und Weiterbildung der reformierten Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrer

Name

A+W Aus- und Weiterbildung der reformierten Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrer

Legal name

A+W Aus- und Weiterbildung der Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrer (Abteilung der Evangelisch-reformierten Landeskirche des Kantons Zürich)

Website

https://bildungkirche.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clergy and Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Clergy continuing education
• Pastoral training programs
• Theological education services
• Church professional development
• Reformed ministry pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Church/Government Funding: A+W is funded by the Evangelisch-reformierte Landeskirche des Kantons Zürich as the business office of the Konkordat. Member cantonal churches pay into the joint agreement. The pwb office is funded by the Reformierte Kirchen Bern-Jura-Solothurn.
2. Course and Program Fees: Participants pay course fees directly. Prices vary by program (e.g., CHF 2,070 for Nordische Filmtage Lübeck, CHF 2,020 for Weiterbildungswoche Babyboomer). Subsidized pricing is available to employees of member churches under the Swiss Continuing Education Agreement. Mandatory cancellation insurance is added to all course registrations.
3. University-affiliated degree programs (AWS): AWS Schweiz offers Certificate/Diploma/Master of Advanced Studies (CAS/DAS/MAS) programs in pastoral counseling and Spiritual Care through the University of Bern, in cooperation with the Theological University Chur and the cantonal churches. Programs carryECTS credits (15+ for CAS, 34 for DAS, 60+ for MAS) and follow university fee structures.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

A+W is the executive office of the Konkordat and operates the Bildungkirche platform that delivers standardized theological training, ordination preparation, and lifelong continuing education for Reformed pastors across 19 German-speaking Swiss cantonal churches. Its portfolio spans the Quereinstieg career-change pathway, the Lernvikariat practical vicariate, mandatory WeA continuing education for first-year pastors, and CAS/DAS/MAS degree programs in pastoral counseling and Spiritual Care delivered with the University of Bern and the Theological University Chur.

Product overview

Bildungkirche is a unified educational platform operated jointly by Reformed Church institutions in Switzerland. The platform provides a comprehensive portfolio centered on three main pillars: (1) Core training programs including theology studies guidance, the learning vicariate (Lernvikariat), career-change pathways into ministry (Quereinstieg), and mandatory continuing education for first-year pastors (WeA); (2) Advanced continuing education modules including CAS/DAS/MAS programs in pastoral counseling and spiritual care, with specialized tracks for clinical pastoral training (CPT), hospital care (SPKS), prison ministry (SSMV), elderly care (ASHG), solution-oriented counseling (LOS), and systemic counseling (SYSA); and (3) Short-format offerings including coaching, day courses, study trips, sabbaticals, and innovation design programs. The platform coordinates offerings from three partner organizations (A+W Zürich, pwb Bern, and AWS Switzerland) serving the 19 cantonal Reformed churches in German-speaking Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A+W – Aus- und Weiterbildung der Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrer: Department for education and counseling of Reformed pastors, operating as part of the Concordat of German-speaking Reformed churches in Switzerland
• pwb – Pfarrweiterbildung Bern
• AWS Schweiz

Products and services

• Theologiestudium (Theology Studies) Information and guidance on theology studies for becoming a pastor in the Reformed Church, including pathways through the Concordat system. For theology students considering ordination in the Swiss Reformed tradition.
• Quereinstieg Pfarrberuf (Career Change to Pastoral Ministry) Accelerated pathway for professionals with academic backgrounds to enter the pastoral ministry, reducing training time through recognition of prior qualifications. The Quest shortened program was launched in 2015.
• Lernvikariat (Learning Vicariate) Practical training program for theological students and career changers, combining supervised ministry experience with coursework. Culminates in the Wahlfähigkeitszeugnis (Certificate of Eligibility) for ordination.
• WeA – Weiterbildung in den ersten Amtsjahren (Continuing Education for First Years of Ministry) Mandatory continuing education program for pastors in their first years of ministry, including courses, coaching, and professional development.
• CAS SPES (Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling) University-accredited certificate program (minimum 15 ECTS) through the University of Bern in cooperation with the Theological University Chur, focusing on pastoral care in various life and crisis situations.
• DAS SPES (Diploma of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling) University-accredited diploma program (34 ECTS) through the University of Bern in cooperation with the Theological University Chur, providing in-depth training in pastoral care and counseling including quality assurance in professional settings.
• MAS SPES (Master of Advanced Studies in Pastoral Counseling) University-accredited master program (minimum 60 ECTS) through the University of Bern in cooperation with the Theological University Chur, providing advanced professional competencies and introducing scientific discourse in pastoral counseling and pastoral psychology.
• ASHG – Altersseelsorge in Heimen und Gemeinden (Elderly Care Pastoral Counseling) Specialized CAS program focusing on pastoral care for elderly people in care homes and communities, delivered via the University of Bern.
• CPT – Clinical Pastoral Training Clinical training program providing hands-on experience in healthcare and institutional settings for pastoral care professionals.
• LOS – Lösungsorientierte Seelsorge (Solution-Oriented Pastoral Counseling) Solution-oriented pastoral counseling program combining theological-spiritual competence with modern psychology insights, based on depth psychology.
• SPKS – Spital- und Klinikseelsorge (Hospital and Clinical Pastoral Care) CAS program focusing on pastoral care in hospital and clinical settings, bridging theology with medicine, psychiatry, and healthcare.
• SSMV – Seelsorge im Straf- und Massnahmenvollzug (Pastoral Care in Prison and Rehabilitation) CAS program introducing pastoral care in penal institutions and rehabilitation facilities.
• SYSA – Systemische Seelsorge (Systemic Pastoral Counseling) CAS program enabling conversations in pastoral care based on the systemic approach, expanding competence in dialogue and rituals.
• Lehrgänge (Certificate Programs) Structured long-term continuing education programs including CAS, DAS, and MAS qualifications across multiple specialized pastoral tracks.
• Coachings (Coaching Services) Individual coaching services for pastors and church employees to support professional and personal development.
• Tageskurse und Kurz-Veranstaltungen (Day Courses and Short Events) Single-day and short-duration continuing education courses on various theological and pastoral topics.
• Weiterbildung on demand (On-Demand Continuing Education) Flexible continuing education options available on request, tailored to specific church or pastoral team needs.
• Sabbaticals Extended leave programs for rest, reflection, and professional renewal for pastors.
• Auszeiten (Time Out Programs) Retreat programs for spiritual renewal and personal development for pastors and church employees.
• Innovationsdesign (Innovation Design) Innovation methodology program helping church communities develop new forms of ministry and reach new audiences.
• STEP – Standortbestimmung im entwicklungsorientierten Pfarrprofil Self- and external-assessment tool helping pastors evaluate their performance against 12 professional standards, generating a personal pastoral profile and a comparison of self- vs. external assessment for a development-oriented feedback conversation.
• KI für die Kirche – AI Courses Nine new AI courses for beginners and advanced users launched for the second half of 2025 under the initiative 'KI für die Kirche' (AI for the Church).
• CAS Interkulturelle Theologie und Migration New CAS program in Intercultural Theology and Migration, a cooperation between the Theological Faculty of the University of Basel and the Reformierte Kirchen Bern-Jura-Solothurn. Reflects theological perspectives on increasing inter-cultural and inter-religious diversity in Swiss society.
• Nordische Filmtage Lübeck (Lübeck Nordic Film Festival study trip) Annual study trip to the Lübeck Nordic Film Festival combining film analysis with church work applications. CHF 2,070 total per participant (course fee CHF 890, accommodation CHF 1,110, cancellation insurance CHF 70).

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 100 persons have entered the Quereinstieg (career-change) program since 2015, with 40 already serving as pastors and 10 more to be ordained in 2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Konkordat der Deutschschweizer Reformierten Kirchen (19 Kantonskirchen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2002The inter-cantonal agreement covering 19 German-speaking Swiss cantonal churches is the legal foundation for A+W's mandate. A+W serves as the agreement's business office (Geschäftsstelle). The Konkordat was first established in 1862 and covers joint pastoral training, ordination, and continuing education standards.
• Universität Bern (Theologische Fakultät)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Bern's Theological Faculty partners with A+W and the cantonal churches through AWS Schweiz, which offers university-accredited CAS/DAS/MAS programs in pastoral counseling, Spiritual Care, and pastoral psychology. The cooperation involves joint program development, university examination standards, andECTS credit recognition.
• Reformierte Kirchen Bern-Jura-Solothurn (pwb)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe pwb office (Pfarrweiterbildung Bern) collaborates with A+W and Réf-Formation under a 2013 agreement (Weiterbildung Schweiz) that coordinates pastoral continuing education across Switzerland. pwb is responsible for the first years of ministry (WeA) for pastors of the Bern-Jura-Solothurn churches and for consecutive continuing education.
• Theologische Hochschule Chur (THChur)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Theological University Chur cooperates with AWS Schweiz (University of Bern) in delivering CAS/DAS/MAS programs in pastoral counseling and Spiritual Care. Cross-institutional enrollment allows students to attend modules at both institutions.
• Réf-Formation (Conférence des Eglises Romandes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRéf-Formation is the training office for the French-speaking Swiss churches (Conférence des Eglises Romandes). Together with A+W and pwb, it participates in the 'Weiterbildung Schweiz' collaboration (since 2004, renewed in 2013 and 2014) that coordinates pastoral continuing education across all Swiss Reformed churches.
• KOPTA – Koordinationsstelle für Praktikumsbezogene Theologische AusbildungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOPTA is responsible for practical theological training at the University of Bern for the churches of Bern-Jura-Solothurn. It develops training curricula, organizes the practical semester and Lernvikariat, and trains pastors who serve as training supervisors (Ausbildungspfarrer:innen).
• Kirchenkreis (Cantonal Church Authorities) – 19 KonkordatskirchencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor19 German-speaking cantonal Reformed churches are the contract partners that fund A+W's operations and provide mandate for pastoral training. Member churches include Zürich, Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Freiburg, Glarus, Graubünden, Luzern, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Ticino (CERT), Thurgau, Uri, Zug, and both Appenzell.
• Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner in the 'Geist & Prozess' long-term continuing education program that connects head, heart, and embodied spiritual practice. Dr. Reiner Knieling is an apl. Professor at the Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal and co-founder of the Syntheo-Institut für Zukunftskultur.
• Universität Basel (Theologische Fakultät)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CAS Interkulturelle Theologie und Migration is a cooperation between the Theological Faculty of the University of Basel and the Reformierte Kirchen Bern-Jura-Solothurn. Study start is 16 January 2027. The program reflects theological perspectives on increasing inter-cultural and inter-religious diversity in Swiss society.
• Syntheo-Institut für Zukunftskultur (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Syntheo-Institut, founded by Pfarrerin Isabel Hartmann and apl. Professor Dr. Reiner Knieling, provides the 'Geist & Prozess' long-term continuing education program through Bildungkirche, focused on connecting intellectual, emotional, and embodied dimensions of spiritual leadership.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Predigerseminar der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern: Established German Lutheran clergy formation and continuing-education institution. Comparable as a denominational pastoral training and lifelong learning platform, with similar curriculum structure (vicariate-equivalent, ongoing professional development); serves the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria rather than the Swiss Reformed context.
• Universität Zürich, Theologische Fakultät: Academic theological faculty serving as a primary training ground for Konkordat church theology students before they enter the Lernvikariat. Comparable as a Reformed theological education provider at the university-degree level, complementing rather than competing with A+W's ministerial-formation focus.
• Universität Bern, Theologische Fakultät: Academic theological faculty that jointly delivers AWS Schweiz's CAS/DAS/MAS programs with A+W. Operates as the degree-granting and ECTS-credentialing partner; comparable in offering Reformed theological education but at the university-degree level rather than ministerial-formation focus.
• Theologische Hochschule Chur: Intercantonal theological university cooperating with AWS Schweiz in delivering CAS/DAS/MAS programs in pastoral counseling and Spiritual Care. Comparable as a higher-education provider for Reformed clergy; differs from A+W in being a degree-granting institution rather than a continuing-education platform.
• Universität Basel, Theologische Fakultät: Academic theological faculty partnering with A+W on the new CAS Interkulturelle Theologie und Migration (launching January 2027). Provides Reformed theological higher education and credentials at the university level; overlaps with A+W on curriculum but does not provide practical ministry formation.
• Universität Luzern, Theologische Fakultät: Catholic theological faculty offering parallel pastoral-formation and continuing-education services for Roman Catholic clergy in Switzerland. Comparable in operating as a Swiss theological education provider, but denominational counterpart serving the Catholic rather than Reformed church ecosystem.

Others

• Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal: German Protestant church-related university co-developing the 'Geist & Prozess' long-term continuing education program with Bildungkirche. Comparable as a Reformed theological education provider, but cross-border institutional partner rather than direct competitor; supplies curriculum content rather than serving Swiss pastors directly.
• Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche Aargau: One of the 19 Konkordat cantonal churches and a member/contracting party of A+W. Comparable as a Reformed church institution engaged in clergy oversight and continuing-education contracting, but acts as a client and governance stakeholder rather than as an education provider itself.

Direct peers

• Réf-Formation (Conférence des Eglises Romandes): Continuing education and training platform for Reformed pastors in French-speaking Switzerland. Directly comparable to A+W: identical mission (clergy formation and continuing education) within the same national Reformed church ecosystem, but serving the French-speaking cantons through the CER rather than the Konkordat. Participates in the 'Weiterbildung Schweiz' cross-language coordination alongside A+W and pwb.
• pwb – Pfarrweiterbildung Bern: Continuing education office for pastors of the Reformierte Kirchen Bern-Jura-Solothurn, operates under the KOPTA umbrella and a 2013 agreement with Bildungkirche. Closest functional peer: same WeA (first years of ministry) mandate and cohort of Reformed pastors, but legally separate entity funded by the Bern-Jura-Solothurn churches rather than the Konkordat.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bildungkirche
• Facebookfacebook.com/bildungkirche
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bildungkirche
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a-w-aus-und-weiterbildung-der-reformierten-pfarrerinnen-und-pfarrer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about A+W Aus- und Weiterbildung der reformierten Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrer