Als Laien die Fhrung der Bekenntnisgemeinde bernehmen

The correspondence between the theologian Karl Barth and the Bremen doctor Karl Stoevesandt and his wife Dorothee documents the struggle for the freedom of the church during the National Socialist dictatorship from direct experience. It provides insights into the inner tensions of the Confessing Congregations and shows what an important role theological laypeople could play in the church struggle. Stoevesandt, chairman of the Brother Council of the Confessing Church in Bremen, reported to Barth about the events there. Barth supported and encouraged Stoevesandt with theological advice.