Die Transformation des pfarramtlichen Dienstes im postmodernen Kontext

This study examines the transformation of parish ministry in the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (Českobratrská církev evangelická) from two perspectives: from the point of view of lay people’s expectations and from the point of view of pastors’ professional identity. Based on a quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted in 2023, the study analyzes the responses of 506 lay people and 109 clergy with the aim of identifying important trends in contemporary Protestant parish ministry. The results show a shift away from the traditional “universal” model toward specialized pastoral roles. Despite high satisfaction among both groups, the study identifies significant structural challenges, including administrative burdens, insufficient funding, and work-life balance issues. The study shows a convergence between the expectations of laypeople and the priorities of pastors, who emphasize preaching, spiritual care, and community building within the parish as the core tasks of pastors, but also points to emerging tensions regarding the availability of pastors, the role of church buildings, and changing expectations of pastors’ spouses. The study contributes to understanding current changes in Protestant pastoral care in a post-Christian European context and provides a solid empirical basis for strategic decisions by church leaders.