Farewell to the Martin Luther Church: Tegernheim celebrates its de-dedication

Farewell to the Martin Luther Church: Tegernheim celebrates its de-dedication

The ceremonial de-dedication of the Martin Luther Church in Tegernheim took place on November 29, 2025. 57 years after the inauguration of the church, the parish said goodbye to the historic building in an emotional ceremony. Photographers like Max Kollmannsberger captured these moving moments. The decision to de-dedicate reflects the current challenges facing many parishes and marks a turning point in the parish's ecclesiastical life.

The de-dedication is not only a local political event, but also a sign of change in church volunteerism. The structures of volunteer work have changed significantly in recent years. Despite the increasing number of people leaving the church, over 17 million German citizens, especially those over 50, are active in various areas. This also applies to members of churches who, according to a study, are particularly active. However, there is a clear difference between urban and rural areas.

Challenges and changes in volunteer work

Church volunteerism is in a state of upheaval. While churches in rural regions are perceived as important actors in the social space, urban communities are struggling with a decline in commitment. Competition from social organizations offering similar help and the desire for project-based commitment rather than long-term commitments make it difficult to attract new volunteers.

A central problem in the mobilization of volunteers is the changed living conditions, such as frequent changes of location and changing CVs. Many people look for direct help and self-efficacy rather than engaging in longer-term committee work. Particularly in cities, there are alternative networks outside the church that provide similar offerings and that the church often has a harder time with.

In order to retain committed community members in the long term and attract new interested parties, appreciation and adaptation of work processes to the lives of volunteers are of great importance. An example of such commitment is the St. Luke's community, which organizes regular meetings to repair broken things and thus put the principle of “repair instead of throwing away” into practice. The relaxed atmosphere in the community promotes both the community and the craftsmanship of the participants.

These current challenges and changes in volunteerism challenge churches to redefine their role in society and actively adapt to the needs of parishioners. Although the situation is difficult, the value of Christian values ​​remains for many people, even if the nature of engagement is changing.
You can find more information about the de-dedication of the Martin Luther Church at Tegernheim.de, while the St. Luke's community continues to advocate for volunteer work, as on Lukas-evangelisch.de is to be experienced. The article provides further insights into the changes in church volunteerism Catholic.de.