The Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM) is facing a significant decline in its theological personnel. By 2035, the number of pastors will almost halve from around 800 to 400-430, said EKM personnel director Michael Lehmann to the “Mitteldeutsche Zeitung”.
“This applies under the optimistic assumption that we will continue to have as many new arrivals as before” Lehmann said. The EKM covers most of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and parts of Saxony and Brandenburg, with around 640,000 church members.
In the parishes, many of which have existed for over 1,000 years, the theologian shortage is forcing a cultural shift: the traditional, pastor-led Sunday service will no longer be possible in many small churches. Lehmann speaks of a “painful farewell process”. The communities must now get used to the fact that the church will no longer be represented by pastors, but by the faithful. “If laypeople organize a devotional service, the church door will still remain open” – otherwise, it will be difficult.