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The Protestants actually succeeded in doing something.

There was a bang that, beyond the moment, directs one's gaze to an institution that interests less and less people.

Since the 13th Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) elected 25-year-old student Anna-Nicole Heinrich as the new President on May 8, not a day has passed without a report on the youngest chairman in the history of the Church Parliament .

And that without malice and the usual criticism, but with curiosity and sympathy - with respect for a young woman who dares to do something.

The church must "get out of the bubble," said Heinrich the synodians in the introductory round before the election and made it unmistakably clear what it stands for: for a church that does not want to be a pious association, but a social force.

This convinced the Synod, so that they decided in favor of Heinrich as the successor to the long-time President Irmgard Schwaetzer (79).

"I let myself drift a lot"

With Anna-Nicole Heinrich, the church is sending a clear signal.

The fact that it can no longer continue as before was clearly demonstrated by the study “Projection 2060” published in 2019.

According to her, the membership numbers of the two large churches will halve by 2060 if they do not counter the exit trends.

If the church wants to have a future, it must also increasingly reach young people.

For them, however, the church has less and less importance.

The investigation by the Social Science Institute of the EKD has shown it: a third of the 19 to 27 year olds surveyed said that they could not do anything with their belief in God.

"The church has to get out of the bubble"

Source: epd-bild / Tino Lex

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Heinrich, who has been the deputy chairwoman of the Protestant Youth in Germany since 2017, does not simply want to accept that. She stands for an institution in which she has experienced for herself how something can be offered to young people in particular. The fact that she has a mischievous charm that has absolutely nothing out of the dust and church makes her someone who can get carried away. “I let myself be driven a lot by communities, music and a good atmosphere,” she says. The EKD could still learn from the free churches and their modern musical forms. “But I also feel well taken care of when someone plays the organ really cool.” On the weekend on which she was elected President, she often heard the chorale “Who only lets God rule”. "It is a very powerful song that holds a lot of hope and confidence."

Heinrich, who studied philosophy in Regensburg and is currently attending the master’s degree in Digital Humanities and Human Image and Values, helped organize a hackathon under #glaubengemeinsam, in which digital ideas for the church were collected. He is just one example of their passionate commitment. But what used to have a lot to do with experimentation is now becoming serious business. The Synod is not a tea room in the youth cellar. Her tasks include such tangible things as passing church laws or the budget.

Anna-Nicole Heinrich is not afraid of it.

She stands behind the future strategy of the EKD, which was decided in November, she knows that the budget will include 17 million euros less expenditure in 2030 than in 2019. She also sees the financial situation as an opportunity to set new priorities.

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Her challenges include coming to terms with the abuse scandals, which have just experienced a setback due to the suspension of the Advisory Board.

Heinrich has already emphasized that she absolutely wanted to stick to the involvement of those affected.

It presents an open, socio-politically committed church that not only consciously approaches non-believers, but also seeks dialogue with other religions such as Islam.

"We have to differentiate between the few who misuse the name of Islam for inhumane behavior, and the large community of people who simply want to live their faith."

Nothing stupid

Growing up in a household remote from the church, she only came to believe through religious instruction in elementary school and was baptized.

When she speaks about her faith, she does it with a matter of course that has nothing pious but rather testifies to Protestant freedom in the best sense of the word, without being arbitrary.

"My faith is a strong foundation, but also a great quest," says Heinrich.

That gives her the opportunity for reflection and orientation.

In her opinion, standing by her convictions is crucial for the future viability of the church.

"So that the church is perceived more strongly as a social force, we as Christians must have the courage to authentically live our faith in the way that is right for us."

For some, this means working even more strongly in the diaconal area, for others, getting involved politically. “It is important that we dare to be the way we are, neither to allow ourselves to be forced into offices, nor into theological or political templates. I hope that we can then inspire people to deal with the Christian message. "