Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands the Kingdom of the Netherlands' did not come into being until 1818. The city of Amsterdam was, and still is, the centre of Dutch Lutheranism. Most Lutherans in the Netherlands are descendants of German or Scandinavian merchants, and the Lutheran church has always been quite small. Because of the urban and internationally oriented membership of the Lutheran Church, liberal influences have always been relatively strong. The church was always counted among the most liberal denominations in the Netherlands. They were among the first churches to ordain women. On May 1, 2004, the Lutheran Church's membership was down to a mere
Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands of Ministers of the Kingdom. The affairs of the Kingdom are: In addition, the Charter contains provisions on mutual assistance and co-operation between the four countries. All four countries are, per the Charter, obliged to promote the realisation of human rights and good governance. The Charter can only be amended with the approval of all four countries. Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands The Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands (in Dutch: "Statuut voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden"; in Papiamentu: "Statuut pa e Reino di Hulanda") describes the political relationship between the four countries that constitute the Kingdom