New paths in Pappenheim: Dean Scherle-Shobel wants to modernize the church!

New paths in Pappenheim: Dean Scherle-Shobel wants to modernize the church!

On October 26, 2025, Sonja Scherle-Schobel was ceremoniously introduced as the new dean in the Pappenheim town church. Regional Bishop Elisabeth Hann von Weyhern was present and presented her with the deanery mandate. Scherle-Schobel, who grew up in Kleinhaslach in Central Franconia, brings with her a wide range of experience from her previous career, including 15 years as a pastor at the Thomaskirche in Ingolstadt-Friedrichshofen. Her first step as dean is to get to know the communities better and listen to what needs the people there have.

The change at the top of the deanery is no coincidence, as Scherle-Schobel sees the ongoing decline in membership numbers as a challenge. She emphasizes the need to act in order to actively shape the church of the future. As a first step, the Pappenheim deanery is planning a merger with the neighboring deaneries of Weißenburg and Gunzenhausen. A fixed schedule is still pending, but the dean makes it clear: “We cannot wait for years.” She sees joining together and learning from each other as an opportunity to further develop the region with “agile management” and openness.

In the future in the team

Scherle-Schobel will officially work in her new role from October 1, 2025. In the Pappenheim parish, where Pastor Gerd Schamberger is already responsible for pastoral care, she is supported by a competent church council. This consists, among others, of Michéle Cabrerizo Machado, Tanja Dürnberger and other volunteer members. The church council was newly elected on October 20, 2024 and is responsible for important decisions in community life.

“Good communication is particularly important to me,” explains Scherle-Schobel. Their goal is to keep information transparent and allow for widespread participation to avoid rumors in the community. Ultimately, she wants to encourage people to take responsibility and actively participate in shaping the church.

A look beyond the borders

A larger trend can also be observed in other regions: The Protestant Church in Düsseldorf is planning a far-reaching merger of 17 parishes by 2035 in order to make better use of resources and reduce organizational ballast. This structural change is intended to serve as a response to increasing challenges, such as the decline in membership numbers. Similar considerations exist in other cities such as Essen and Bonn, which underlines the need for adjustments in church organization.

Sonja Scherle-Schobel is aware of the challenges and sees this as an opportunity to preserve valuable traditions while getting rid of unnecessary baggage. Your motivation and vision could provide positive impulses not only in Pappenheim but far beyond.