New provost in Lübeck: Oliver Erckens relies on confidence and reforms!

New provost in Lübeck: Oliver Erckens relies on confidence and reforms!

A fresh wind is blowing through the Lübeck church! On November 15, 2025, the synod of the Lübeck-Lauenburg church district elected Pastor Oliver Erckens as the new provost. With 46 out of 60 votes, he clearly beat his competitor Bettina Axt, who received 13 votes. From May 2026, Erckens will succeed Provost Petra Kallies and thus take on an important role in the Lübeck parish. As Herzogtum Direkt reports, the bishop of the Northern Church, Kirsten Fehrs, highlighted his communicative skills and human touch.

“We have to design reforms cleverly and far-sightedly,” said Erckens. The 41-year-old, who has been working as a pastor in Siebenbaumen and Sandesneben since 2020, already has a lot of experience. Originally from Baden, he studied theology in Rostock and was previously vicar in Rendsburg. He has been active in the Lübeck-Lauenburg church district since 2018 and lives with his family in Siebenbaumen. “I know the local problems well,” he assures, “and I want to find solutions together with the people.”

Accept social responsibility

The role of the church in society is particularly important to Erckens. In view of the growing uncertainty among the population, especially when it comes to financial issues and fears for the future, he sees the church's responsibility to stand up for people without a voice. Erckens is convinced: “We have to make God’s love visible.” This happens not only in church services, but also in active engagement with social issues. He is also involved in the training of vicars and is responsible for working with confirmation candidates.

This responsibility also has a historical dimension. As the [Federal Agency for Civic Education](https://www.bpb.de/shop/zeitschriften/apuz/archiv/535055/zur-socialen-und-politiken-rolle-der-katholischen-kirche-in-der-bundes Republik-deutschland/) emphasizes, the church is called upon to comment on social and political issues and to offer ethical orientations. In a rapidly changing world in which technologies and social structures are changing, it must also address new challenges, such as dealing with unemployment and the moral aspects of technical progress.

A step into the future

“I look forward to my new position with confidence,” says Erckens, and his colleagues, Provost Philip Graffam and Provost Dirk Süssenbach, agree with him. The view of the future is shaped by the idea that the church is not only a place of worship, but should also actively contribute to shaping a humane society, without losing sight of the plurality of society.

Oliver Erckens took the first steps into a new era with clear visions and an open ear for people's needs. The Lübeck community can look forward to fresh impulses and committed leadership that primarily focuses on the soul and heart of the people.

With firm commitment and the support of the members of the church group, he will succeed in carrying God's love into the world.