Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther had to nail his theses to the door of a church to get his message out into the world.
They were written in Latin. But what really helped kick off the Reformation was the printing revolution, which allowed the wide distribution of the German translation from 1518.
Now thousands of Protestant churches in Germany are innovating once again, in the new communications revolution of our own internet age. They are to be kitted out with free wi-fi "godspots" just in time for the Reformation Jubilee celebrations in Germany next year.
More than 200 churches will get the service right away, with all 3,000 of the Evangelical state churches equipped with the free wi-fi surfing spots by next year.
Among the first to get the service in Berlin will be the French Friedrichstadt Church in Gendarmenmarkt, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at Breitscheidplatz and in Brandenburg, the Meyenburg Protestant Church.
Fabian Blatner, Evangelical church IT manager, told RBB that the way people communicate had changed, with many talking now through social networks and digital communities. When people first log in, they will be directed to a home page with information about the building and the community as well as on topics of faith and life, he added. From there, they can move onto the main internet. It will be a secure service.
Users of the "godspot" will not be targeted with commercial advertisements and there will be no harvesting of private information, he said.
Blatner said: "People are no less spiritual than before, but the places of communication have shifted and much takes place on digital social networks and communities. With Godspot, we at the Evangelical Church want to create a safe and familiar home in the digital world."
In Moscow, a similar service is already offered at some cemeteries after a survey showed a strong demand by visitors.
