The treasures of the church district are above all the employees who work full-time and on a voluntary basis. In order to introduce them, we have conducted interviews with them. Here Mr. Schilling introduces himself. He is the superintendent of the Halberstadt church district.

Please describe your office and your tasks in the service of the church.

As superintendent I am the spiritual leader of the church district. My duties cover several fields: I am the supervisor of those who have a full-time job in our church district: pastors, cantors and church educators. In addition, I am a contact person for all those who perform voluntary tasks in our church congregations, especially for the congregational church councils. I am chairman of the district church council, which directs the destiny of the church district. I represent the church district externally, e.g. to the district administrator. And I am a simple pastor, I conduct church services, baptize and represent colleagues at church events.

My most noble task is described in the constitution of our church thus: The superintendent "shall see that congregational growth and spiritual life are fostered, church elders and volunteers are equipped, and theological work is done."

Why did you choose to do this?

I have been in the ministry of my national church for almost 30 years. In that time, I have worked in a variety of settings: I was a parish pastor for 18 years, then six years in a future team at the EKD, the umbrella organization of all regional churches in Germany, and I was personal advisor to regional bishop Ilse Junkermann and regional bishop Friedrich Kramer. The skills I acquired in this way seem to me to be suitable for a leadership role such as that of a superintendent. I understand this as a giving back of what I have been given so far.

Please give us an insight into a typical working day. What do you actually do?

These days, a lot of time is taken up by answering numerous e-mails, which is how a weekday begins. In addition, there are numerous telephone calls: here information on a church regulation, there advice on an idea, there a request for help in a case of conflict. Then there might be a conversation with a staff member, sometimes I drive to their place of work, sometimes it takes place in my office. Next comes a team consultation, e.g. in preparation for the district church council. Or together with the managing director of the Diakoniewerk Halberstadt I collect the topics that have to be on the agenda of the next board meeting. In the evenings, it is not unusual for me to be at a meeting of the district synod building committee or a congregational church council meeting in one of our church congregations. So a weekday workday is quickly filled. On Sunday, I often participate in special worship services, such as when someone is welcomed into a ministry, honored, or given a send-off.

Does your Christianity express itself in your private everyday life?

I hope so! My thinking and acting is touched by Jesus' message, that should have consequences in my daily life. So church and faith are always part of my life. But I don't have to emphasize it all the time, it happens.

Do you have a favourite place in the church district?

I don't have a place yet that I have to emphasize. I like to stand on the Stiftsberg in Quedlinburg and look down on the city. I like driving toward Halberstadt with a view of the city's church spires. I marvel at the ornate half-timbered houses in Osterwieck. I love the new addition to the church of St. Petri in Thale. I like to be invited to services in the church in Heteborn. And I like being at home in Halberstadt's lower town.

Would you like to tell us something special about your office?

I love being superintendent. I put everything into making it possible for "my" staff to have good conditions for their ministry. And I hope to set an example myself of how we can build the future of our church cheerfully, confidently and full of trust in God.