Curriculum vitae

Academic Education and Degrees

1966–1969: Georg-Büchner-Schule Giessen (elementary school)
1969–1978: Humanistisches Landgraf-Ludwig-Gymnasium Giessen (humanistic highschool with Greek and Latin)
1978: Abitur (final highschool examination) at Landgraf-Ludwig-Schule Giessen
1978–1982: Study of Theology at Freie Evangelisch-Theologische Akademie Basel (Switzerland) (FETA, Free Protestant University)
1982: lic. theol. (Pfarrer; equivalent to M. Th.) at Freie Evangelisch-Theologische Akademie Basel (Switzerland) with a thesis Das Mißverständnis des Emil Brunner: Emil Brunners Bibliologie als Grund für das Scheitern seiner Ekklesiologie (on the ecclesiology of Emil Brunner) (published)
1982–1985: Study of Theology at the Theologische Hogeschool van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Kampen (Netherlands) (stateapproved theological faculty)
1984: Drs. theol. (Major: Science of Mission; Minor: Ecumenical Theology; Systematic Theology) at the Theologische Hogeschool van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Kampen (Netherlands)
1985 Dr. theol. (Theology, especially Ecumenical Theology and Science of Mission) at Johannes Calvijn-Stichting of the Theologische Universität van de Gereformeerde Kerken in Kampen (Netherlands) with a dissertation Theodor Christlieb und seine Missionstheologie (published)
1982–1986: Study of Comparative Religions, Cultural Anthropology, American Studies, German Studies and Science of Folklore at the Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (state university of Bonn).
1987–1990: Postgraduate Studies of Cultural Anthropology at Pacific Western University, Los Angeles (CA, USA)
1990: Ph. D. in Cultural Anthropology at Pacific Western University [today: California Miramar University], Los Angeles (CA, USA) with a dissertation Hans Naumann als Volkskundler unter dem Nationalsozialismus (the study of folklore and the culture of the lower class 1919–1945) (published in 2 volumes)
1996: Th. D. in Ethics at Whitefield Theological Seminary, Lakeland (FL, USA) with a dissertation Ethik: The Major 50 Topics of a Protestant Ethics in Discussion (published in 2 volumes).
1997: D.D. (honorary doctorate), Cranmer Theological House, Shreveport (LA, USA)
2006: D.D. (honorary doctorate), ACTS University, Bangalore (India), for 20 years of helping to combine university education with social programmes in India
2007: Dr. phil. (summa cum laude) in Comparative Religions at State University of Bonn with a dissertation on the Third Reich Hitlers Kriegsreligion (published in 2 volumes)

Academic teaching and research

1983–1990: Lecturer in the Science of Mission and the Science of Comparative Religions at the Freie Theologische Akademie Giessen (German Theological Seminary)
1984–1989: Lecturer in the Science of Mission and the Science of Comparative Religions, Old Testament Exegesis and Ethics at Bibelseminar Wuppertal der Evangelischen Gesellschaft für Deutschland (Biblical Seminary Wuppertal of the Evangelical Society of Germany)
1984 bis 2008: Director of the Institut für Weltmission und Gemeindebau (German Center for World Mission)
1986–2002: Director of Theologischer Fernunterrichts (Theological Education by Extension Germany), 1991 renamed to Academic Director of Theologischer Fernunterrichts (Theological Education by Extension Germany) of Neues Leben-Seminars, Altenkirchen (New-Life-Seminary)
1990–1994: Member of doctoral committee of William Carey International University, Pasadena (USA)
1991–1996: Lecturer of the Science of Missions, Comparative Religions and Ethics at Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule Basel (Switzerland) (STH, Independent Theological University)
1991–1996: Responsible for the Th.D. committee and promotor in the subjects of the Science of Missions, Comparative Religions, Cultural Anthropology and related subjects at Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule Basel (Switzerland) (STH, Independent Theological University) and its postgraduate studies programme in Geneva (Switzerland)
1994–1998: Professor of Missions, Philadelphia Theological Seminary, Philadelphia (PA, USA) (Anglican)
since 1996: Professor of Systematic Theology (Ethics and Apologetics) and of Missiology, Whitefield Theological Seminary, Lakeland (FL, USA)
1996–2000: Professor of Ethics and Missions and Director of European extension, Cranmer Theological House, Shreveport (LA, USA)
since 1996: President and Professor of Systematic Theology (Ethics and Apologetics) and of Comparative Religions, Martin Bucer European Theological Seminary and Research Institutes (Bonn, Berlin, Bielefeld, Chemnitz, Hamburg, Pforzheim, Zürich, Innsbruck, Linz, Prag, Zlin, Ankara, Istanbul)
1999–2005: Lecturer in Business Ethics, Akademie für christliche Führungskräfte, Gummersbach (Germany)
since 2000: Lecturer in Systematic Theology (Dogmatics and Ethics), German Theological Seminary [Freie Theologische Akademie], Giessen (Germany)
2000–2003: Acting Head of Department of Systematic Theology, German Theological Seminary [Freie Theologische Akademie], Giessen (Germany)
2000–2008: Professor of International Development, William Carey University (Bangalore, India)
2001–2004: Vicepresident of Academic Affairs, Continental Net University (Bangalore/New York/Zürich)
since 2004: Academic Director of the Institut for Life- and Family Science, Bonn
since 2005: Director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (Bonn, Cape Town, Colombo)
2006–2009: Professor of the Sociology of Religion, State University of Oardea (Romania)
since 2009: Distinguished Professor of Global Ethics and International Development, William Carey University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
since 2009: Professor of the Sociology of Religion, State University of the West, Timisoara (Romania)
since 2016: President of the Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences

Pastor and church offices

1982–1984: Pastor of Evangelische Gesellschaft für Deutschland (Evangelical Society of Germany) in Bonn
1984–1986: Pastor of Evangelische Gesellschaft für Deutschland in Erftstadt/Eifel in a church planting ministry
1992–1997: Halftime in Freie Evangelische Gemeinde Bonn (Evangelical Free Church Bonn) and director of Evangelism of the Evangelical Alliance of Bonn
1994–2001: Speaker/Manager of the Evangelical Alliance Bonn
1997–2000: Pfarrer (pastor) of the Freie Reformierte Kirche
2015: Consecration as bishop of the Communio Christiana in Orlando
2016–2021: Associate Secretary General for Theological Concerns (Theology, Intrafaith Relations, Interfaith relations, Religious Freedom) of the World Evangelical Alliance
since 2017: Archbishop Coadjutor, Communio Christiana
2021–2024: Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance
since 2024: Global Ambassador and Director of the Office of Government & International Affairs of the Continuing Evangelical Episcopal Communion (CEEC.church)

Honours

1997 Honorary doctorate: D. D., Cranmer Theological House, Shreveport (LA), USA, for his achievement in alternative curriculum development and for the unity of Christians
2002 named ‚Man of Achievment’ by the International Biographical Center Oxford for his achievements in the area of the ethcis of international development
2006 Honorary doctorate: D. D., ACTS University, Bangalore (Indien), for 20 years of helping to combine university education with social programmes in India
2007 Franz-Delitzsch-Award, Germany, for his dissertation on Hitler
2008 International ProFide Award (Finland) for advocating human rights and religious freedom worldwide, especially for refugees from Iraq
2009 Distinguished Professor of Global Ethics and International Development, William Carey University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
2016: Order of Merit of the Royal House of Ghassan (Jordan/Lebanon)
2017: Stephanus-Price for Religious Freedom by Stephanus-Foundation (Frankfurt)
2018: Honorary Bishop, Apostolic Pentecostal Church International, Liberia
2021: Honorary doctorate: Doctor of Humane Letters, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Christian University, Miami (FL), for “steadfast support of basic human rights for the weak and marginalized”
2024: Outstanding Leadership Award, APC International, Liberia “In Recognition Of His Exceptional Global Leadership Performance“

Secular honorary positions

2005–2014 Member of the board of the Internationalen Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (International Society for Human Rights, Frankfurt), since 2014 co-opted member
since 2014: President of the International Council of the International Society for Human Rights

Business

since 1985: Chief editor of Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft (Culture and Science Publ.)
since 1987: Owner of Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft (Culture and Science Publishing) Bonn (publishing academic books on languages, culture, comparative religions, social ethics and missiology – three titels per month)
since 2000: Co-owner and CEO of Consulting Schirrmacher GbR (business consulting, curriculum development for universities, cultural anthropology, human rights, research on Islam and international politics)
since 1995–2014: President of the board, Gebende Hände gGmbH (Giving Hands), International Charity, since than “founder and senior consultant”

Author and editor

Author and editor of 46 academic and 38 popular books translated into 17 languages. Major work ‘Hope for Europe’ (2002), translated into 16 European languages, in German: ‘Ethics’ (3 vol., 1994, 1st ed., 8 vol. 2011, 5th ed.), ‘Racism’ (2008)
Appr. 240 articles
1988–1997: Chief Editor of the theological magazine „Bibel und Gemeinde“ (bible and church) of the Bibelbund e. V. (bible league)
1983–2003: Chief Editor of the bioethical-theological magazine „Querschnitte“ of Promundis
1993–1999: Co-editor of ‚Contra Mundum: A Reformed Cultural Review‘ (USA)
1993–2000: Co-editor: Reflection: An International Reformed Review of Missiology (Netherlands)
1997–2001: Editor: Evangelikale Missiologie, the journal of the ‚Association of German Evangelical Missiologists‘ (afem) (co-redakteur since 1992)
2001–2015 Editor: Jahrbuch des Martin Bucer Seminars (Yearbook of Martin Bucer Seminary)
2001–2013 Co-Editor: Märtyrer: Jahrbuch für Christenverfolgung heute (Martyrs: Yearbook on the Persecution of Christians today)
since 2008 Co-Editor: International Journal for Religious Freedom (Cape Town)
since 2010: Editor: Evangelical Review of Theology (London)
since 2011: Editor: Evangelische Missiologie, the journal of the Association of German Speaking Evangelical Missiologists
since 2014: Co-Editor: Jahrbuch Diskriminierung und Verfolgung von Christen (Yearbook on the Discrimination and Persecution of Christians)
since 2014: Editor of the Jahrbuch Religionsfreiheit (Yearbook on Religious Freedom)
sole editor of 3 academic book series
chief editor of 3 academic book series
co-editor of 6 academic book series

Memberships in scientific associations, honorary positions

Fellow of AfeM since 1984, co-editor since 1992, editor 1996–2001 and since 2011
since 1990: Elected fellow of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft
1985–1987: Executive, Board of directors, Kurdish Institute
1985–1998: Board member, Bibelbund, Reiskirchen, Germany
1994–1997: President Institute for Islam and Christianity, Bruchsal, Germany
1987–2000: Speaker ISM Germany
1992–2001: Speaker Evangelical Alliance Bonn, Germany
2000–2010: Convenor of the Theological Commission of Hope for Europe (European Evangelical Alliance & Lausanne Europe), 2011–2014 Deputy Convenor [since 2015 restructured into the Theologial Commission of the European Evangelical Alliance]
since 2000: Elected Member of the Commission for Religious Freedom of the World Evangelical Alliance
since 2000: Director of the Commission for Religious Freedom of the German and Austrian Evangelical Alliance
2005–2014 Member of the board of the Internationalen Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (International Society for Human Rights , Frankfurt), since 2014 co-opted member
since 2010: Chair of the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance
since 2010: Ambassador for Human Rights of the World Evangelical Alliance
since 2011: Chair of Evangelischer Arbeitskreis für Mission, Kultur und Religion e. V. (Association of German Speaking Evangelical Missiologists)
since 2011: Fellow of the Carter of the Sociology of Religion within the German Society for Sociology
since 2014: President of the International Council of the International Society for Human Rights
since 2015: Chair of the Theological Commission of the European Evangelical Alliance

Academic expeditions

USA (1979; churches of the south)
Indonesia (1981; Indonesian Islam; animism)
Israel (1984; Jewish Faith; Islam in Jerusalem)
Turkey (1986; Turkish Islam)
India (1986; Hinduism; Indian Islam, Christian higher education)
USA (with Mexico) (1989; USCenter for World Mission; Gospel Recordings)
Great Britain (1990; archives and libraries on colonial India and British colonial history; Reformed churches in Scotland)
China (1991; Islamic quarter in Peking; Taoism)
Tunesia (1992; Islam in French speaking North Africa)
Italy and Greece (1993/1994; Catholicism; Biblical Archaeology)
Czech Republic (1997; University history; Hussites)
Baltic Countries (1997; political and medical situation, postmarxist ethics)
Egypt (1999; Islam, Nubians)
Turkey (2000/2006; Islam, Human Rights, Orthodox Churches)
Malaysia (2001, Islam, Human Rights)
Italy (Rome) (2002) (Vaticanarchaeology)
Thailand (2003/2006, Buddhism, Human Rights)
Uganda (2006; Education for the poor)
Romania (2007; Orthodox Churches)
Singapore (2009; law system; religious freedom)
Japan (2010; worship of martyrs)
Nepal (2010; child goddesses; religious freedom)
Cyprus, North Cyprus (2011; Islam; religious freedom situation)
Sri Lanka/Korea/North Korea/Indonesia (2012; Buddhism; human rights situation)
Jamaica (2012; ecology, Caribbian religions)
Uzbekistan (2013; history of Islam; human rights situation)
Belarus (2104; human rights situation, UN relations)
Lebanon (2014 & 2015 & 2016; refugees from Syria, Old-Oriental churches)
Albania (2014; churches and religions; interreligious dialogue)
Honduras (2015; religious freedom situation)
Georgia (2016; religious freedom situation; human rights in Abchasia)
Azerbaijan (2016; human rights situation; Islam)