The Christian Community consists of independent congregations. The priests in each congregation have responsibility for what should take place sacramentally in their community. Priests' teaching arises from their priestly experience and insights, and is not required to conform to any dogmatic structure.
In social and financial realms, priests and lay people work together to form a board of trustees and initiative groups. The community does not choose (elect) priests; they are appointed by the leadership of The Christian Community.
Congregations in a geographic area are joined in a "region". Legally each congregation or several congregations in a region are incorporated as nonprofit (charitable) organizations. Priests are financially supported, not according to performance, age, seniority, or educational background, but according to the resources of the congregation and the needs of the priest and his or her family. The vocation of priest is full time. There are several levels of responsibility within the circle of priests to enable helpful cooperation and oversight:
- priests in the congregations
- regional coordinators for the guidance of the work in the regions
- central coordinators for the guidance of The Christian Community worldwide (the headquarters is in Berlin, Germany).
"If we allow the thought of letting the spiritual world partake of what we own, this will have the effect of changing and redeeming all of social life."
William Kelber