Duchowni ewangeliccy jako duszpasterze kościelnych grup nieformalnych w NRD (1969-1989)

The article presents the activity of the evangelical clergymen as the guiding spirits of the informal groups in the Church in the East Germany in the years 1969-1989. The first part of the text shows the clergymen’s way of life before taking on the role of the mentors of the groups. The common elements of the pastors’ biographies are described in the context of such questions as: the family circle, the education, the youthful moral authorities, the motives of the choice of the clergyman’s profession, as well as the experiences of the early pastoral activities. The second part of the article presents the reasons and the circumstances of taking on the responsibility for the groups’ activities and the Christian components of the aims, forms and the principles of the groups. The third part of the text shows the problems of the clergymen’s activities as the guides of the groups: their relations with the members of the groups, with the Church authorities, with the state repression apparatus (Stasi) and with the families (wives, children).