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Three church districts united: A new beginning for the region from 2026!
Merger of the church districts Arnstadt-Ilmenau, Gotha and Waltershausen-Ohrdruf from January 1, 2026. Future issues and need for reform.
Three church districts united: A new beginning for the region from 2026!
The Evangelical Church is facing exciting change! On January 1, 2026, the Arnstadt-Ilmenau, Gotha and Waltershausen-Ohrdruf church districts will merge to form a new, common church district. This step is not a quick fix, but the result of a multi-year process that was triggered by current developments within the regional church and the specific challenges in the individual church districts. This reports in southern Thuringia.
At a recent meeting of the synod of the Arnstadt-Ilmenau church district, which served as a hub for discussion about the merger, Cindy Havelberg-Kunze presented the roadmap for implementation. In an open conversation with Superintendent Elke Rosenthal, the challenges and opportunities of redesigning the church structures were discussed. Rosenthal particularly emphasized the need for reform, which arises, among other things, from an upcoming wave of retirement among pastors. It will be necessary to actively support this change through targeted measures. For the communities, this not only means adjustments, but also creative solutions to continue to ensure vibrant community life the Arnstadt-Ilmenau church district reported.
On the trail of change
The upcoming steps are clear: After the spring synods in 2025, a special synod will be called in each of the merging church districts to clarify the final details of the merger. An exciting time lies ahead for the congregations, which are expected to bring a breath of fresh air into traditional structures through innovative approaches and the concept of “regional church development”.
Dr. Felix Eiffler from the Martin Luther University Halle/Saale spoke about supporting the church district in a model project. Eiffler made it clear that 43 percent of the population in Germany is non-religious. This is perceived as an urgent call to rethink the existing church structures and adapt them to the needs of today's society.
Outlook for the future
As a current study by the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg in collaboration with the EKD shows, the number of church members will be halved by 2060. This pessimistic forecast not only leads to a decline in church tax revenue, but also shows the urgency of continuous change. The church needs to appeal to young adults and focus on their essential tasks, such as the EKD highlights.
A good hand is required to make the church fit for the peculiarities of today's members. It is important to set out boldly and reach people with attractive offers. The approach of the three merging church districts could be a ray of hope in the midst of these challenges. In Gräfenroda, for example, community members form an association to pool their strengths, which shows that community and solidarity are very important even in times of crisis.
The merger is by no means an end, but rather a new beginning. Fresh ideas and new perspectives are needed to further advance the mission and communication of the Gospel. A central point remains the belief that through cooperation a positive development in church life is possible.