The new protestant pastor:
Claudia Häfner wants a "Church with the People"
Ms. Häfner, you have now been Munich City’s university pastor for four months. What exactly does a university pastor do, anyway?
Häfner: As a university pastor, I represent the church at a place where there is no church as such. Thus, networking is very important in order to be integrated into the system, as a pastor and as a church. For example, we organize lecture series such as "Technology and Ethics". Further, one of the main chores of my work is to offer advice to the students and employees of the university. Anyone can address me with problems. Of course, the EHG also has a core community – students and university employees who come regularly, with whom I celebrate church services and organize community days.
Previously, you worked as a church pastor in various parishes in Munich – your second position apart from the work in the corporation. What do you see as your challenge?
Häfner: Working at a university is very dependent on the semester-periods. Here, I need to be a lot more flexible than in a community with permanent residents. On the other hand, people who are seeking rootedness at a university have to show more self-initiative. Here, others don’t tend to visit me in my office very often – so a have to come to them. My challenge is to find an answer to the question of how to promote faith and the church without being intrusive.
In your opinion, what is on the students’ minds nowadays?
Häfner: I think it’s often all about questions of identity: Many students have trouble figuring out what they really want – both professionally and privately. Today, many of the young people can not be “bought” any more. They can’t simply be hired for 60-hour weeks by offering them high salaries. They need room for family and leisure time, they want to live out what is in them and they refuse to be forced into existing structures. Also, the students are interested in political issues: global crises, the significant imbalances in the world, questions of justice or balancing work and family life.
Does faith still matter for young people?
Häfner: There is quite a need for spirituality. I can see that at the EHG. As a pastor, I am also of the opinion that there should be more attractive offers for young people. A friend of mine once said: "The Church is simply not sexy!" And she's right. Personally, I am trying to ensure that the church can also be "sexy" in an attractive, modern and vibrant sense. There are a lot of young people who feel that their faith is important and who found that the EHG is the right place for them to live it out.
What are your goals and visions at TUM?
Häfner: My dream would be a centre near the TUM’s main campus. Then, the students could simply drop by in between lectures, to meet up and talk. I hope that we can offer the students a scope that satisfies their desire for recognition and to be needed. Everyone, regardless of confession, is welcome and free to become involved. My vision is that religious belief will play a more prominent role at TUM.
The EHG offers counselling, pastoral care, prayer groups, devotions, church services, and numerous events for the TUM’s students, lecturers and employees. Dr. Claudia Häfner is 41 years old and is originally from Mitwitz in Upper Franconia. She knew that she wanted to become a pastor at the age of 12 – and could not even be stopped by her father, who had turned away from the church.
After several stays in Canada and Argentina, she studied Theology in Neuendettelsau, Erlangen, Buenos Aires and Munich. She started her career as a company pastor and later worked as a parish pastor at several churches in Munich. She is married to the Dean Dr. Christoph Jahnel and has three daughters.
More information:
Website der EHG München
EHG München on facebook