überraschenden Querverbindungen. [Church in Diaspora? Images for the Future of the Church. Festschrift in Honour of Michael Herbst] Michael Herbst is one of the doyens of a missional church in Germany. In recent times, church- theoretical considerations have been added that specifically ask about the future of the church. This commemorative publication looks for motivating and inspiring images of the church. A »secular diaspora« now appears to be a likely scenario for the entire Protestant Church in Germany. Against this background, the contributions take into account the specifics of the proposed future and ask about the shape of the church in conversation with Michael Herbst. The »images for the future of the church« result from the authors' different approaches and the conversation with Michael Herbst in which they enter. Colorful sketches with surprising cross connections are created.