Church on the move: visions of the future and challenges in Schweinfurt!

Church on the move: visions of the future and challenges in Schweinfurt!

On November 1, 2025, the delegates to the autumn synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Deanery of Schweinfurt gathered in the community rooms of the Christ Church. This was necessary because the important Martin Luther House is currently being renovated. Despite the challenges facing the church, the mood remained optimistic. Mainfranken.news reports a clear look into the future of church work.

Dean Oliver Bruckmann informed those present about the most pressing challenges, such as the shrinking number of members and demographic change. In the coming years, around a quarter of all positions will be eliminated, affecting not only the work of the church but also the maintenance of some of its buildings. Around half of these buildings are expected to fall out of state church funding, which could result in many congregations having to give up their premises or renovate them in a climate-neutral manner.

Cooperation and reforms

One answer to the ongoing challenges could be closer cooperation between parishes in neighborhood areas. This new structure envisages that the nine Lower Franconian deaneries will merge into three larger units. This plan is expected to be implemented by the end of 2027 or 2028. An important step in this direction was taken during the synod in the form of working groups to exchange ideas about neighborhood spaces and real estate concepts.

Another positive aspect of the synod was the inclusion of religious education. Around 5,500 students have weekly contact with religious topics. Cooperative religious education, in which Protestant and Catholic teachers work together in primary schools, has been particularly successful. In the area of ​​Protestant youth, innovative formats such as the confi party and teamer training have become established and have been well received. There are currently 259 confirmation candidates.

Commitment to the future

The synod also focused on partnership work that supports long-standing connections with parishes in Rio de Janeiro. Next year, a delegation from Brazil is even expected to finance a crèche that supports 100 children from favelas. In addition, nursing home pastoral care is becoming increasingly important, as two half-time positions have been set up in the Schweinfurt deanery to meet the needs of the older population.

Dean Bruckmann's remarks ended with an encouraging blessing that underlined the confidence for the future of church life in the Schweinfurt deanery. In a time marked by challenges, the Church shows the will to adapt and change - and to do so in a way that inspires trust and hope.

Finally, one might wonder how different communities around the world connect, like the game of backgammon, which has been played for over 5,000 years. Ultimately, it is core values ​​that bring us closer together - an idea that comes through in both play and faith. You can find out more about the origins and popularity of backgammon at 247backgammon.org.

Without a doubt, a lot is happening in the Schweinfurt deanery, and as in films like “Point Break”, which is about immersing yourself in new worlds, we have to be ready to face the changes. Information about this cult film with a captivating plot and remarkable actors can be found at Wikipedia.