BIBILISCHE BESINNUNG: Hermann Miklas: Die Spannungen zwischen den Starken und den Schwachen in Rom – und kirchliche Entscheidungen heute Andacht zu Römer 14,1–131 AUFSÄTZE: Klaus Haacker: Die Einheit der Kirche in neutestamentlicher Sicht The article starts with empirical evidence for the unity of the Early Church: the Lord’s prayer, baptism in His name, and the Lord’s supper. Then it points to the common heavenly origin of all congregations: the Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Then it deals with tensions which can obscure the Church’s unity: different nationalities, social levels, conflicting convictions, rivalry among leaders and their followers. It ends with the quotation of several calls for mutual patience and respect. Heinzpeter Hempelmann: Die Kraft des Con Konkurrenz von Kirchen und in der Kirche als Herausforderung – Grundzüge einer alternativen Ekklesiologie In his analysis, the author reveals a central contradiction between theoretical ecclesiology and the lived relationship between churches and congregations. In theory, there is no competition between churches because there is only one true church, and because there is no competition with those who belong to us. In practice, however, competition exists between churches, often associated with judgments on each other, whether the other church is even considered to be a "church" or not. The author presents suggestions, how this conflicting condition of church – which is disastrous for Christian witness – can be overcome. Renate Penßel: Kirchenrechtliche Leitlinien für kirchenleitendes Handeln, dessen Übereinstimmung mit Schrift und Bekenntnis in Frage steht This article explores the legal guidelines that bind leading activities of church authorities where the conformity of those activities with the holy scripture or the denomination of the church is questioned. It states that the lack of a consent (magnus consensus) on compliance of a certain church activity with the holy scripture and the denomination of the church is legally relevant: It can be perceived as an (unwritten) principle of protestant church law, that such activities cannot be required by church law, but can merely be allowed. However even such an allowance is not permissible without restrictions. Unlike others, this article concludes that such an allowance, insofar as it implies the church itself to take a stand, is only legitimate in case that a former consent (magnus consensus) on the compliance of the present church law with the holy scripture or the denomination of the church ceased to exist. Reiner Braun: Anfechtungen als „Lebenssaft“ Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer denen zu sagen hat, die Gott in seiner Kirche dienen Are there special trials for those who serve God in his church? Dietrich Bonhoeffer‘s statements on this question are analyzed in their historical context, his statements as a student, as a lecturer at the university, as an instructor of young pastors during the time of the Nazi regime (1933–1945) and the period called Kirchenkampf (struggle within the Protestant Church in Germany), and as a prisoner. An ambivalent picture emerges. On the one hand the devil can be the initiator of trials, trying to undermine faith; on the other hand God himself uses trials in order to take away false safeguards from those who serve him and to bring into focus what is essential: the concentration on Christ.