Village churches in transition: strengthening community and faith!

Village churches in transition: strengthening community and faith!

How important is the church really for life in the village? This question is the focus of the latest village tour, which ends at the church in the village. In Germany, and especially in Central Germany, over 85 percent of people are not religious. Nevertheless, committed citizens are pushing forward the themes of faith and community in their villages. An example of this is Groß Schirma in the district of Central Saxony, where the young community is already working on the first meeting of the new confirmation candidates.

In Groß Schirma, community life is also actively shaped. The trombone choir rehearses in the community hall and the discussions about digital offerings for faith courses with Pastor Justus Geilhufe show how future-oriented the parish is. Such initiatives are not only aimed at preserving the church, but also at strengthening the sense of community in the village so that the church remains the center of life. More reported about it MDR.

The church as the center of the community

Churches in rural areas not only function as places of faith, but also as social centers. They are often part of a comprehensive effort to promote personal initiative and support voluntary projects. This commitment strengthens the Christian faith through modern forms of expression and helps ensure that the diverse offerings are accessible to many people, even if distance has to be overcome. How Church in the village emphasizes, it is not just about buildings, but about working together for others and spreading the good news.

The challenges of rural development are becoming more and more urgent worldwide. In recent years, the regional church has supported over 1,600 village churches in order to remain present as a kind of “branch in every town” even in times of rural exodus among the young generation. Despite the demographic changes, the spirit of the community, supported by shared values ​​and a culture of togetherness, remains strong.

Insight into the future

The role of the church in shrinking villages is being questioned by more and more citizens. However, it is not only the preservation of the places of worship that is important, but also the creation of new uses. This promotes sustainable impulses for village development and increases tourist attractiveness, as an analysis by EKBO shows. The employees of the Evangelical Church are open to the life questions of people in the villages and help to rediscover the Christian faith as a way of life in rural areas.

It is not surprising that collaboration between volunteers and professional employees plays a central role in managing the multitude of tasks. Ultimately, it's about using a good hand to make the church in the village a place where community and faith remain alive.