The summer synod of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland (EKS) in St. Gallen was significant for Mission 21. The synod members adopted new regulations which, for the first time, set out binding joint funding rules for the EKS's Mission 21, DM and HEKS relief organizations. The motion to increase the annual contribution to the work of Mission 21 was also approved [...]
The 80 or so synod members in St. Gallen made important decisions and set the course for cooperation between the EHL and the agencies. At their summer synod from 15-17 June in St. Gallen, the representatives of the 25 member churches adopted by an overwhelming majority a regulation on the uniform financing of the mission organizations Mission 21 and DM as well as the church aid organization HEKS/EPER. For the first time, the regulations set out in a binding manner what services churches and organizations can expect from each other. It creates clarity in terms of roles, responsibilities and financial flows.
For Jochen Kirsch, Director of Mission 21, this is a significant step in the development of the relationship between Mission 21 and the Protestant Reformed Churches in Switzerland: "By adopting these regulations, the Synod is for the first time stating what is actually meant by §8 of the EKS constitution: "The EKS recognizes Mission 21 and DM as its missionary organizations in Switzerland". This commitment is now becoming concrete."
Michel Rudin, the EKS Council member responsible for the missionary organizations and the HEKS relief organization, voted enthusiastically in favour of the new regulations and the increase in the contribution to the missionary organizations.
The regulations also make it clear that the work of the two missionary organizations and the HEKS relief organization are to be seen as complementary, says Jochen Kirsch: "In addition to the uniform financing regulations, this is also expressed in a new joint "Works" commission, the establishment of which was decided by the Synod. In this commission, representatives of the EKS Council, the cantonal churches and the three organizations will structurally promote and coordinate future cooperation."
Secure financing thanks to higher contribution
This clarification of the important role of Mission 21's work in implementing the constitutional goals and tasks of the ECSC was also reflected in the fact that the Synod approved the request for a higher basic contribution from the churches to finance the work of Mission 21 as an international learning community and in international cooperation by a very large majority. This means that Mission 21 will receive around CHF 1.4 million from the joint basic contribution of the cantonal churches in the coming year 2026 - compared to around CHF 750,000 in previous years. Jochen Kirsch is delighted: "This decision shows the high regard in which the cantonal churches hold the work of Mission 21 and their identification with our values and concerns. This is a great help and important encouragement for us in these challenging times."
Rita Famos, President of the EKS Council, congratulates her youngest Council colleague Sandro Bugmann on his election.
The understanding and mutual appreciation between the EKS, cantonal churches and Mission 21 will also be deepened through personal connections. On Sunday, the Synod elected 26-year-old economist Sandro Bugmann from the canton of Schwyz as a new member of the Council. Sandro Bugmann has also been a member of the board of Mission 21 since summer 2024. Also since summer 2024, the board of Mission 21 has been chaired by Evelyn Borer, the former President of the Synod of the EKS. She contributes important knowledge to further improving cooperation between churches and Mission 21.
Text: Christoph Rácz, Photos: Christoph Knoch
â–º The EKS media releases on its website
â–º Article on ref.ch on the election of Sandro Bugmann to the EKS Council
