New dean for Hersfeld-Rotenburg: Michael Töpfer took responsibility!

New dean for Hersfeld-Rotenburg: Michael Töpfer took responsibility!

Michael Zehnder has been elected and will be the new dean of the Hersfeld-Rotenburg church district. This important decision was made by the Council of the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (EKKW). The 46-year-old Töpfer comes from his pastorate in Neuenstein and brings a lot of experience with him.

After temporarily bridging the dean's duties since May 2024, he now succeeds Dr. Frank Hofmann, who is taking on a new challenge as theological director of the Evangelische Altenhilfe Gesundbrunnen in Hofgeismar. Zehnder is an experienced pastor who has been active in pastoral care for 17 years and is committed to people of all ages.

A committed pastor with a heart

Zehnder originally comes from Schwelm and grew up in Dortmund. During his theology studies in Bethel, Bochum and Münster, he prepared extensively for his career and was honored in 2008 by Bishop Dr. Martin Hein ordained. He took his first step as a pastor in 2008 in Neuenstein-Obergeis. His activities also include child and youth work as well as responsibility in the regional diaconal work.

As a member of the regional synod of the EKKW and the examination committee for the theological examination, he not only cared about his congregation, but also about the prospects of church life in the entire church district. “I want to promote community with God and one another,” explains Töpfer, who sees himself as an “enabler” for church communities.

A church district in transition

The Hersfeld-Rotenburg church district, which was created from the merger of the previous Hersfeld and Rotenburg church districts in 2020, has around 60,000 parishioners and includes around 70 parishes. The challenges that Zehnder faces are diverse and range from representing the church district to developing future perspectives and leading convents.

“I’m looking forward to the tasks ahead,” said Zehnder. As dean, he will not only supervise the pastors and staff, but will also actively visit and support the parishes. This paves the way for successful cooperation within the church district and the promotion of church life.

Finally, it should be noted that Zehnder could bring a lot of movement to pastoral care and community life, which is a positive development for the many believers in the church district. Commitment to the community will continue to be the focus of his work.

For more information about developments in the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck you can read the reporting from Hersfeld newspaper and fuldainfo.de track.