Since 1981, the Sexau Parish Prize has honoured academic theologians who have distinguished themselves in their research, work and publications by being particularly close to the parish, thus addressing and dealing with issues of relevance to the parish in an understandable way. Previous winners include Jürgen Moltmann, Michael Herbst, Gerd Theißen, Fulbert Steffensky and the former Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Wolfgang Huber. The 22nd winner is now a non-theologian for the first time.