Seminary Leadership Shift: Holger Pyka Takes Charge as Head

Holger Pyka, an author for "Kirche in 1Live" and a member of the Joint Commission for the Reform of Theological Studies in the EKD, has been appointed as the new director of the Seminary for Pastoral Training in Wuppertal.

The Seminary for Pastoral Training is a well-known training and learning center for young theologians preparing for the pastoral profession. It is supported by four regional churches: the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, the Lippe Church, and the Evangelical Reformed Church.

Pyka has been associated with the Seminary for some time now. Prior to his full-time appointment, he held a part-time teaching position at the institution since 2020. Since 2023, he has been serving as a lecturer, teaching Homiletics/Liturgy, Occasions, Parish Development / Spirituality.

Born in 1982, Pyka completed his doctorate on the relationship between church and carnival in 2017. Before joining the Seminary, he served as the parish pastor of the Uellendahl-Ostersbaum parish in Wuppertal for eight years. During his tenure, he combined traditional parish work with new ideas, particularly in digital communication.

Pyka's digital approach to faith themes was evident on social media, where he used the platform to convey faith themes in a simple and approachable manner. He also held a position in the Public Relations Board of the Church Circle, helping to modernize the church's external image.

On June 1, 2025, Pyka was officially introduced as the new director of the Seminary for Pastoral Training in Wuppertal. The introduction service took place on Friday, August 29, 2025, in the auditorium of the conference and guest house "Auf dem Heiligen Berg".

Pyka is married and resides in the Bergisches Land. He has completed additional training in areas such as pastoral care, coaching, and spiritual guidance. In addition to his work at the Seminary, Pyka co-edits the Göttingen Sermon Meditations.

The predecessor of the new head of the seminary in Wuppertal before Pyka took over was Jochen Bundschuh. Pyka's appointment marks a new chapter for the Seminary for Pastoral Training, and his unique blend of traditional and modern approaches to theology and pastoral work is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the institution.