Diakonische Unternehmen und das Gemeinwohl

This study defines the relationship of welfare organisations to society, the state and the Church in Christian theological terms, while at the same time remaining up-to-date and plausible. If welfare organisations can firmly establish their values, they can enhance their success rate, idproduct, plausibility and image. Inspired by a socially and theologically valid approach to social and welfare work, the author conceives an up-to-date defini-tion of the aforementioned relationship and develops a set of business principles based on clearly defined values, with which a plausible corporate policy can be devised. In doing so, he particularly takes into account the processes of pluralisation and secularisation that occur within welfare organisations. In his concept, the author presents welfare organisations as a sphere of social activity and cooperation with a Christian theological orientation, with Christianity and humanitarian forces in society cooperating on the basis of mutual business principles for the welfare of all human beings.