Mastodon Positions – Thomas Paul Schirrmacher
 
 

Since 2013: President of the International Council: International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) / Since 2005: Member of the Board of the German Section Internationale Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (IGFM)

Elected for the first time in 2013. Reelected for four years in 2016, 2020 and 2024. The ISHR is an international human rights organisation founded in 1972 in Frankfurt (am Main). It engages for all who fight non-violently for the human rights in their countries. The International Council represents 42 national branches from all five continents. ISHR has consultative status at the UN (ECOSOC) and at the European Council and the African Union. The „Internationale Gesellschaft für Menschenrecht (IGFM)“ is a ninternational human rights organisation founded in 1972 in Frankfurt (am Main). It engages for all who fight non-violently for their or others human rights in there countries. The International Council represents 37 national branches from all five continents. ISHR has consultative status at the UN (ECOSOC) and at the European Council and the African Union. The German section has 3.000 members.

https://ishr.org/about/leadership/
http://ishr.org
https://www.igfm.de/igfm-weltweit/


Since 2021 President: International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) / 2003–2021 Founder and Director 2003–2021

A network of professors, researchers, experts, and university institutions from all continents who are working on and researching reliable data on violations of religious freedom worldwide and who want to incorporate this topic into university programs and curricula—especially in the fields of law, sociology, and religious studies.

https://iirf.global/about/team/prof-dr-mult-thomas-schirrmacher/
https://iirf.global/?p=2379


Since 2020: Global Ambassador and Director of The Office of Government & International Affairs of the Confessing Anglican Church

The Confessing Anglican Church (CAC) is a denomination within the Convergence Movement blending Anglican liturgical heritage with evangelical and charismatic emphases while adhering to historic creeds and the Jerusalem Declaration.

https://confessinganglican.church/province-of-reconciliation/
https://confessinganglican.church


2021–2024 Secretary General (CEO): World Evangelical Alliance

The WEA represents appr. 600 million in churches being members of national evangelical alliances, from Anglican to Pentecostals.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2021/april/new-global-leader-for-evangelicals-.html
https://worldea.org/thomas-schirrmacher-jack-of-all-trades/


1995–2021: Associate Secretary General for Theological Concerns: World Evangelical Alliance / 1995–2021: Ambassador for Human Rights / 2010–2021: Chairman: Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance / 2012–2021: Moderator of the Office of Intrafaith and Interfaith Relations (OIIR): World Evangelical Alliance

Responsible for theology, theological education, ecumenical relations, interreligious dialogue, religious freedom, human rights, research.

https://theology.worldea.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WoT_03-David_Parker-Discerning_the_Obedience_of_Faith.pdf (pp 119ff)


Since 2010: Extraordinary Professor of the Sociology of Religion: Faculty of Sociology and Psychology, State University of the West in Timisoara (Romania)

The West University of Timişoara (Romanian Universitatea de Vest din Timişoara) is a state university located in Timişoara, Romania, former Temesar. Established in 1962 in its present form, it is organized in 11 Faculties with alltogether 15.000 students. Timişoara has several other universities. The 1989 revolution started within the Reformed Church in Timişoara.

http://valori.socio.uvt.ro/en/about-us.html
https://globalstudent.ro/faculty-of-sociology-and-psychology-timisoara/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_University_of_Timişoara
https://www.uvt.ro/ro/educatie/facultati/facultatea-de-sociologie-si-psihologie/
https://valori.areopagus.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Masterat-Valori-2019-Fluturas.pdf
https://valori.areopagus.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Orar-VALORI-2019-2020-sem-I-an-I.pdf
https://uvt-ro.academia.edu/ThomasSchirrmacher


2006–2009: Professor of the Sociology of Religion and Cultural Anthropology: State University of Oradea (Romania)

Founded in 1780, long known as „University of Großwardein“, since 1990 „Technical University of Oradea“, 35.000 students in 18 faculties and 151 programmes.

https://www.uoradea.ro
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oradea


1995–2023: Professor of Systematic Theology (with Ethics and Apologetics): Whitefield Theological Seminary

Presbyterian Seminary and College, named after the revival preacher of the ‚Second Awakening’ George Whitefield. The motto of the late founder Prof. Dr Dr Kenneth Talbot’s: “If there is any hope for reformation in America and elsewhere, the Church of Jesus Christ must once again produce pastors who boldly proclaim the whole counsel of God with the anointing of His Spirit.”

https://thomasschirrmacher.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AdministrativeBulletin.pdf


2017–2023: Lecturer in the Advanced Programme “Human Rights and Religious Freedom” an der Universität Oxford (Regent’s Park College)

In cooperation with Anajure (Brazil) and the International Platform for Parlamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPForB)

https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?p=10293
https://iirf.global/news/iirf-updates/iirf-is-involved-in-launching-the-ihrf/
https://thomasschirrmacher.net/blog/schirrmacher-spricht-im-britischen-parlament/


2009–2016: Distinguished Professor of Global Ethics and International Development: William Carey University, India

An Indian State acknowledged university established by law of the State of Meghalaya in its capital Shillong, which is specialised in the ecological development of poor regions. Founder: the late Prof. Dr Ken Gnanakan.

https://williamcareyuniversity.ac.in (Accreditation)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Gnanakan


Since 2016: President: Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences

Registered in Lebanon, Jordan, Canada, Brazil and Germany, this new academy is under the patronage of His Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Gharios El Chemor of Ghassan Al-Nu’man VIII

https://royalhonors.org/order-arts-and-sciences
https://bonn-profiles.net/?p=11567


Since 2016: “Beauftragter für Religionsfreiheit des EAK der CDU/CSU” = Special Envoy for Religious Freedom of the Protestant Platform of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and ist its Bavarian sister party Christian Social Union (CSU) are the party of the Chancellor of Germany and the majority leader the German parliament. Together they have a Protestant Platform, which represents all Protestants in the parties and has top rights in its membership meetings.

https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?p=24256
https://www.eak-cducsu.de


Since 2013: Chair and Honorary Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany (ZOCD)

ZOCD is a charitable platform of Christians of all churches and confessions from the Middle East living in Germany. It represents the civil society of oriental Christians.

https://zocd.de/ehrenmitgliedschaft


2019–2025: Co-Chair, Religions for Peace. New York

Religions for Peace is an international coalition of representatives from the world’s religions dedicated to promoting peace founded in 1970. The International Secretariat headquarters is in New York City, with regional conferences in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), with UNESCO and with UNICEF.

https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?p=24127


Seit 2025: Patron: Heartbeats International

Music festivals on four continents, connected with the film project ‘The Chosen’

https://bonn-profiles.net/?p=8341
https://bonner-querschnitte.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/BQ0836-Heartbeats-International-Certificate-of-Appointment.pdf
https://heartbeats.kr/


2018–2021: President Emeritus / 1995–2018 Founder, President and Chair for Ethics and Chair for World Christianity and

Comparative Religions Martin Bucer European Theological Seminary and Research Institutes („Martin Bucer Seminar“)
Theological Seminary with study centers in Bonn, Berlin, Bielefeld, Dresden, Frankfurt, Hamburg, München, Zürich (Switzerland), Linz, Innsbruck (Austria), Prague, Zlin (Czech Republic), Istanbul (Turkey), Sao Paolo (Brazil) and research institutes/think tanks: Institut for Islamic Studies, Institut for Religious Freedom, Institute for Political Education, Institute for Counseling, Institute for World Views and Apologetics, Institute for Life- and Family Science.

https://bucer.org
https://linktr.ee/bucer


2016–2024: Member of the “Facilitating Group” of the Global Christian Forum

“The Global Christian Forum (GCF) is a unique gathering of global Christian churches and organisations bringing together all the major streams of world Christianity. The GCF is an open space where all Christians can meet to nurture unity by fostering mutual respect and understanding as well as by addressing together common challenges. Represented in the GCF are many Christian World Communions and world Christian organisations, including the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Pentecostal World Fellowship, the World Evangelical Alliance and the World Council of Churches.”

https://globalchristianforum.org/?s=schirrmacher
https://thomasschirrmacher.net/tag/global-christian-forum/
https://globalchristianforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/GCFNews-2016-02-EN-V2_FINAL-Petite.pdf


Member of the Academic Council: Institute for Ethics and Values

The „Institut für Ethik und Werte“ of the FTH in Giessen researches and evaluates all major ethical challenges of the present society.

https://ethikinstitut.de/institut/ueber-uns/


Since 1995: Founder and now Special Consultant: Giving Hands (“Gebende Hände”)

“Gebende Hände – Gesellschaft zur Hilfe für notleidende Menschen in aller Welt” is an international active charity helping in more than 40 countries on 4 continents. We emphasise helpt to help yourself.

https://www.gebende-haende.de/tschirrmacher.html
https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?s=Giving+Hands


1983–2013: Visiting Fellow of Systematic Theology (Ethics): Giessen School of Theology (Freie Theologische Hochschule)

State accredited theological bachelor and master programmes. In 1983 I started teaching missiology and world religions, later I switched to ‚Foundational Theology’ (Theology of Revelation), for some time dean of ST department, since 2008 teaching ethics, 2011 – 2013 sociology of religion.

https://fth.de/international/en/
https://fth.de/eroeffnung-der-stiftungsprofessur/
https://fth.de/religionsfreiheit-weltweit-bedroht-internationale-experten-diskutieren-an-der-fth-giessen/


Since 2001: Co-Editor: Yearbook on the Persecution and Discrimination of Christians [former: Martyrs – Yearbook for the Persecution of Christians Today] (“Jahrbuch fürVerfolgung und Diskriminierung von Christen”)

Yearly Documentation edited by Martin Warnecke and myself on behalf of the International Society for Human Rights, the German, Austrian and Swiss Evangelical Alliance, and Giving Hands.

https://iirf.global/jahrbuch/


Since 2013: Chief-Editor: Yearbook on Religious Freedom (“Jahrbuch Religionsfreiheit”)

Yearly Documentation edited together with Martin Warnecke and Martin Lessenthin on behalf of the International Society for Human Rights, the German, Austrian and Swiss Evangelical Alliance, and Giving Hands.

https://iirf.global/jahrbuch/


Since 2022: General Editor, Revista Evangélica de Teología

The “Revista Evangélica de Teología” (Evangelical Journal of Theology) is a Spanish-language theological publication focused on evangelical scholarship, biblical studies, and contemporary issues in Christian doctrine and practice.

https://theology.worldea.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/RET-01-1_b.pdf


2010–2024: Editor: Evangelical Review of Theology / since 2024: Special Consultant

Published by the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Commission, this scholarly journal reflects the internationality of the evangelical movement.

https://theology.worldea.org/evangelical-review-of-theology/


Since 1984: Owner: Culture and Science Publ. (Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft)

Publishes three books per month, 450 titles in stock, in the area of linguistics, foreign languages, culture, ethics, world religions, theology and the science and history of mission.

German: https://vkwonline.com
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verlag_für_Kultur_und_Wissenschaft


Since 2020 Honorary Chair: Evangelisches Forum für Mission, Kultur und Religion e. V. (Protestant Forum for the Study of Mission, Culture and Religion) / 2011–2020 Chair / 1985 co-founder in 1985, over time board member and long term editor of the book series
Professional assocation of protestant mission scientists, lecturers in mission and missionaries doing research.

A branch of the German Evangelical Alliance in association with the Austrian and Swiss Evangelical Alliances. Edits 5 book series and the German bulletin “Evangelische Missiologie” (“Protestant Missiology”).

https://missiotop.org/team/
https://missiotop.org


Since 2011 (and 1997–2001) Editor: Evangelische Missiologie (‘Protestant Missiology’)

Professional journal of the Association of German Speaking Evangelical Missiologists („missiotop – Evangelisches Forum Mission, Kultur und Religion e. V.,“), a professional association of protestant mission scientists, lecturers in mission and missionaries doing research (see above).

https://www.missiologie.org/em.html


1990–2021: Secretary (“Geschäftsführer”): Religious Liberty Commission of the German and Austrian Evangelical Alliance

https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?p=22216
https://akref.ead.de


2014–2022: Consultant of the Faith and Order Commission, the Theological Commission of the World Council of Churches

„As a think tank constituted by official representatives of churches belonging to the main historical streams of Christianity, including the Roman Catholic Church, the commission is a unique multilateral, global forum of ecumenical theology.“

https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?p=9659
https://www.oikoumene.org/sites/default/files/Document/FO2015minutescomplete.pdf
https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/commissions/faith-and-order/minutes-of-the-meeting-at-the-monastery-of-caraiman
https://thomasschirrmacher.net/?p=19579


2007–2021 Editor (with Christof Sauer): International Journal for Religions Freedom (IJRF) / since 2021 “Founding Senior Editor“
Peer reviewed and globally accredited academic journal

https://iirf.global/publications-resources/ijrf/
https://ijrf.org/
https://ijrf.org/index.php/home/search/index?query=&authors=thomas+schirrmacher