Neumann-Becker sees the Wittenberg seminary as secured

The remaining churches had agreed to turn the traditional seminar into its own institution under public law, Neumann-Becker told the Evangelical Press Service (epd): “There is an agreement between the three remaining regional churches to continue working at the Wittenberg location.”

The new legal form should also be open to other Protestant regional churches. She therefore does not expect a closure. A year ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Regional Church of Saxony announced that it would train its vicars, also prospective pastors, together with the Bavarian Regional Church.

The justification was that roles, theological competence and leadership skills were taught in the training in Bavaria. The training is modular and extremely contemporary.

Neumann-Becker did not want to comment on this reason when asked. “What was named is basically the matrix of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD),” said the head of the seminary. There is a good exchange with the Saxon regional church and we hope that cooperation will be possible again in the medium or long term.

Seminary with a long tradition

The Wittenberg Preachers’ Seminary is one of the oldest training centers for aspiring Protestant pastors in Germany. It was founded in 1817 at the place of work of the reformer Martin Luther (1483–1546).

The previous sponsor, the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany (UEK), is aiming for its own dissolution and will fully integrate into the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD).

After the withdrawal of the Saxon Church, the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO), the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (EKM) and the Evangelical Regional Church of Anhalt will continue to train their young pastors in Wittenberg.

The Protestant pastor Birgit Neumann-Becker has been running the facility since June of this year. According to Neumann-Becker, the seminary is “well utilized” despite the growing shortage of skilled workers. Next year Mann expects 47 vicars. The number of young clergy will be stable in the coming years.