Two people applied to succeed Superintendent Bertold Höcker, who will retire this September from his ministry at the City Center Church District. Rev. Silke Radosh-Hinder, currently deputy superintendent of the church district, and Rev. Matthias Lohenner, pastor for St. Markus, have applied for a dual leadership role. The two pastors want to fill the superintendent's office together for five years. According to the two theologians, "in the midst of diverse necessary transformation processes, an interim situation is thus created that would do "the City Center" good."  

The presentation service with subsequent discussion will occur on April 23 at 5 p.m. in St. Mary's Church. Then, the election synod will vote on May 6, 2023.  

Matthias Lohenner and Silke Radosh-Hinder both see the key tasks for the Church District Berlin City Center and the entire Protestant Church in remaining audible as a church voice while maintaining spaces where the Christian testimony will be proclaimed and heard. The shaping, reorganization, and thus safeguarding of church spaces are an expression of a pluralistic society for contenders. In this context, it is essential to implement the differentiation of tasks and areas of action of congregations, associations, and church districts more courageously than before. The two candidates are deeply concerned with our church's future and how church structures can be sustainably changed in a way that will be possible to meet serious challenges. Challenges, including the loss of church members and church relevance, contrasted with the urgent need for church action in society and preserving the desire and joy for the Gospel. The promise of the two: "With an innovative spirit and the willingness to question self-understandings and structures, we hold on to the New Path orientation of the Church District Berlin City Center."