Austrian Church Broadcasts Pop-Music Worship Service Online

The Christuskirche in Graz, Austria, has made a recording of its recent "Schlager" worship service available through the Austrian public broadcaster ORF’s online media library. The August 23 event, which was broadcast live on television and radio, featured a selection of German-language pop songs from the 1960s to the 1980s performed by singer Helmut Hussler.

Led by Pastor Friedrich Eckhardt, the service centered on the theme "Here is a human being" and incorporated the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. The congregation utilizes this musical format as an outreach initiative, aiming to engage individuals who may not typically attend traditional church services. Pastor Eckhardt stated that the church seeks to remain inclusive, noting that he views the spectrum of church music as broad enough to encompass both classical compositions and popular Schlager hits.

This event marks the third installment in the parish's Schlager series. Previous services have drawn significant attendance, including a May gathering that coincided with the Eurovision Song Contest, which reportedly attracted visitors from over 50 kilometers away.