The ECCB has elected new leadership

For the six-member Synodal Council, the Synod first elected the church’s statutory representatives: the Moderator (a church member drawn from the ranks of ordained ministers) and the Lay Moderator (a church member drawn from the ranks of lay elders). Subsequently, it proceeded to elect their deputies. Six alternate members were also elected.

Jiří Tengler, currently a minister in Polička and the Senior of the Polička Seniorate (an ecclesiastical district), will assume the role of the Moderator. Simona Kopecká, a pastoral worker from Opava who currently serves as the 1st Deputy Lay Moderator on the existing Synodal Council, was elected as Lay Moderator.

Marta Židková was elected as the 1st Deputy Moderator. She has thus become the first woman in the history of the Evangelical Church to serve in its leadership from among the ordained clergy. She is currently based at the Evangelical Academy’s Higher Vocational School of Social and Legal Studies in Brno, where she works as a school chaplain. Roman Mazur, a minister from Prague-Libeň, retained his position as 2nd Deputy Moderator—a role he also holds on the current Synodal Council.

Jana Šarounová, an elder from the Vinohrady district of Prague and the current 2nd Deputy Lay Moderator, was appointed to the position of 1st Deputy Lay Moderator. Petr Hladík from Nové Město na Moravě, who serves as the curator of the Horácko Seniorate, joins the three-member lay component of the church leadership. In his professional life, he works as the manager of a home for the elderly within the Diaconia of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB).

At the same time, the Synod issued a statement regarding the current social and political situation. "The Synod of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren expresses concern regarding the state of public and political discourse in the Czech Republic. We observe growing tension, mutual questioning of legitimacy, and the use of language that transforms political opponents into enemies rather than partners in the pursuit of the common good. A democratic society relies not only on election results but also on trust in institutions, respect for rules, and a willingness to engage in open dialogue. We therefore consider it essential to safeguard the space for a free exchange of views, the independence of public service institutions, and the existence of free and credible media—media capable of providing information and participating in the public oversight of power, free from political or economic pressure," the statement reads. The full text of the statement is available HERE.

In addition to electing members and alternate members of the Synodal Council, the extraordinary Synod held on Saturday appointed Alžběta Macková to the role of a church-wide pastor, assigned to the Evangelical Grammar School and Elementary School in Brno.

A detailed account of the Synod proceedings and further information can be found on the Synod’s website.

CONTEXT:

• For the first time, a woman has been elected to the Synodal Council from among the ranks of ordained ministers.
• For the first time, there is equal representation of women and men within the church’s top leadership.
• This year’s election of the Synodal Council resulted in an unusual arrangement: the Synod elected new members and alternates well in advance. Their six-year term will not begin until the autumn of 2027.
  • This exceptional procedure is primarily a response to a major reform of the church’s regional districts (seniorates), which will take place at the turn of 2026–2027. This reform includes the selection of individuals for the leadership of these new districts (to be established in January 2027).
  • The election of the Synodal Council was brought forward in this extraordinary manner to prevent a situation where the districts would have to repeat their own leadership elections—should one of their chosen representatives be called to the leadership of the entire church just a few months later (during the regular Synod session).
  • Consequently, the newly elected future members of the Synodal Council have ample time to arrange their professional and personal commitments, ensuring they are well-prepared when they begin their new service.
• The Synod is the highest legislative and governing assembly (parliament) of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB). It generally meets once a year and consists of elected delegates from the individual regional districts, along with advisors.
• The Synodal Council is the highest administrative body of the ECCB, comprising six members: three ordained ministers and three laypeople. At its head stand the two highest representatives of the church: the Moderator and the Lay Moderator.

Newly elected Synodal Council:

(with a term of office from 22 November 2027 to 2033)

Top row from the left: Jiří Tengler (Moderator), Petr Hladík, Roman Mazur Bottom row from the left: Marta Židková, Simona Kopecká (Lay Moderator), Jana Šarounová

Moderator Jiří Tengler (1974)

Since 2011, he has served as the pastor of the congregation in Polička; prior to that, he worked as a minister in Zábřeh (2001–2011). He is the senior of the Polička Seniorate. 

He divided his vision for the church into several key areas:
Congregations – encouraging them amidst changing circumstances, strengthening the competencies of members in situations where there is no pastor, and easing the burden of administration and property management.
People – consolidating the existing system of pastoral care, developing support for active lay members, and fostering relationships with chaplains serving in secular institutions.
Diaconal work and the Evangelical Academy – seeking ways to strengthen their sense of belonging to the ECCB (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) and encouraging church members to take an interest in their work.
Ecumenical relations – maintaining existing, meaningful relationships and supporting Protestants in Ukraine and Russia.
Society – speaking out (independently or in cooperation with other churches) against injustices, callousness, and expressions of hatred—particularly when exhibited by individuals in positions of high authority.
Prayer.

Lay Moderator Simona Kopecká (1969)

She worked in the legal profession and now serves as a pastoral worker in Opava.
She is no newcomer to the Synodal Council—since 2021, she has held the position of First Deputy Lay Moderator.

Regarding her plans, she says: “I want to continue with the responsibilities I already hold within the Synod Council—namely, caring for key volunteers (elders, curators, and lay preachers drawn from the wider church membership). I am concerned by the sometimes faltering communication between the Synodal Council and the congregations; I see clear room for improvement there. I would like to help ensure that the Evangelical Church is perceived as open, attentive, and self-confident.”

Photo gallery from the extraordinary synod: