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Church in transition: Securing educational opportunities for the future!
The research project at the University of Vechta examines the effects of secularization on social services and church commitment.
Church in transition: Securing educational opportunities for the future!
The Catholic Church in Oldenburger Land plays an active role in supporting research projects at the University of Vechta. This collaboration focuses on studying social changes in rural areas. Particular attention is paid to the increasing secularization of public life, which not least affects services in areas such as kindergartens, care and health. The church faces challenges as a result of these changes, as Auxiliary Bishop Wilfried Theising emphasizes.
The focus of the research project is on recording the impact of church activities on society and the church itself. Dr. Markus Wonka, one of those responsible for the project, emphasizes the relevance of this study for pastoral planning. The thematic focus includes, among other things, voluntary work, the importance of church educational offerings and the effects of reorganization processes within the church.
Advanced analysis and social relevance
The project will be part of the scientific area “Behavioral Economics and Social Transformation” and uses the Lower Saxony Panel to record opinions on social, economic and political topics. With over 4,500 registered people who have already taken part in various studies, the panel offers an extensive basis for data collection. Further information is available at www.niedersachsenpanel.de available.
The contract signing, which brought together several key people, including Dr. Alexander Schmitt and Prof. Dr. Thomas Bals, testifies to the commitment of everyone involved in this important research project.
The role of the church in education
A broader context for the role of the church in society is highlighted by the Protestant Church, which is one of the largest education providers in Germany. Its educational offerings are present in many areas of society, including elementary education, child and youth work and adult education. The church takes its responsibility for education seriously, and there are numerous collaborations with the state, for example in school religious education, which, according to the Basic Law, is a joint matter for the state and the religious community.
The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has highlighted society's educational tasks in a document called "Measures of Humanity. Education in the Knowledge and Learning Society". This memorandum highlights the challenges in the education sector and offers perspectives for future action. It is aimed at members of synods, practitioners of church educational work as well as the public, politics and science and aims to emphasize theological and pedagogical standards for church educational activities.
In summary, both the support of research projects by the Catholic Church and the extensive educational work of the Protestant Church show how closely church commitment is linked to social developments. In times of increasing secularization, it is of central importance for both churches to reflect on and shape their contribution to social and societal issues.