The Austrian Evangelical Alliance elected a new leadership team and adopted a revised code of ethics during its council meeting in late May, marking a significant transition for the organization.
During a May 29 event attended by more than 100 guests, Hans Widmann stepped down after more than 11 years as chairman, passing leadership to Andrea Sturm-Lauter. Widmann, who took office in 2015, focused his tenure on strengthening unity and pooling resources so Christians would not “reinvent everything two or three times over.”
“Andrea Sturm-Lauter has the ability to see far and at the same time remain deeply rooted,” said Oliver Stozek, the alliance’s general secretary. “She has an excellent network both nationally and internationally, thinks strategically and analytically, and lives from a spiritual depth that provides guidance.”
The council also approved a revised code of ethics aimed at strengthening cooperation among Christian organizations. While the alliance’s statement of faith defines its theological foundation, the new code focuses on relationships and organizational culture rather than rules. The update addresses contemporary challenges in Christian cooperation, including data protection, financial integrity, media responsibility and protection from violence.
In other business, the council appointed Paul Austerhuber and Miriam Gerhardter to the board. Dr. Felix Böllmann of Alliance Defending Freedom International also delivered a lecture on the importance of Christian unity in the socio-political sphere.
