Chief Apostle

A look back over Chief Apostle Leber's shoulder

Ten years ago today, Wilhelm Leber was ordained Chief Apostle. Together with the retired man of God, nac.today looks back on this special day in Fellbach, Germany. And Chief Apostle Leber lets us in on how it all came to pass... More


The father of personal responsibility

Soft yet firm, someone who blazed the trail and someone who guided others on it, that was Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler. Today he would have turned 90 years of age. More


Energetic and pragmatic

He was the father figure of the still young family of faith: 110 years ago to the day, Friedrich Krebs died. Even though he is considered the first Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church, the official title of Chief Apostle only started to be used later. More


Bewegender Abschied von Stammapostel i. R. Richard Fehr

Zürich. Am Trostgottesdienst, den Stammapostel Jean-Luc Schneider am Mittwochabend, 17. Juli 2013 in der Neuapostolischen Kirche in Zürich-Hottingen hielt, nahmen ein Großteil der Kirchenleiter der neuapostolischen Gebietskirchen weltweit teil. Gemeinsam mit den über 145.000 Glaubensgeschwistern, die via Satellit (Bild und Ton) verbunden waren, nahmen sie Abschied von Stammapostel i.R. Richard Fehr. More


Memorial service for retired Chief Apostle Richard Fehr

Zurich. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider called his predecessor in ministry a “wise man with great vision”. The majority of New Apostolic District Church leaders from around the world attended the memorial service for the highly respected and popular Chief Apostle, who had directed the affairs of the New Apostolic Church over the seventeen years from 1988 to 2005. It was in gratitude and sadness that they gathered in the Zurich-Hottingen church to take leave of Richard Fehr, who passed away on 30 June 2013, shortly before his 74th birthday. More


Obituary for Chief Apostle Richard Fehr

Zurich. It is with great sadness that New Apostolic Christians around the world have learned of the passing of Chief Apostle Richard Fehr, who had served in ministry for many years. Expressions of sympathy have begun to arrive from all parts of the globe. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider describes his predecessor in ministry as a man of great wisdom and vision. “He always had a feel for the global Church and promoted its internationality. His time in office always stood—and still stands—for openness and tolerance.” More


Chief Apostle Richard Fehr has passed away

Zurich. In the early evening hours of this Sunday, 30 June 2013, retired Chief Apostle Richard Fehr passed into the beyond. He is survived by his wife Sonja and his family. In his official notice to the District Apostles, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider informed them that his predecessor in the Chief Apostle ministry closed his eyes peacefully at around 5:00 PM. In mid-July he would have been 74 years of age. More


Farewell reception from the NACI head office

Zurich. “It does me good to know that my predecessor is here. It brings me special joy that our retired Chief Apostle Fehr is feeling better again.” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider had invited both of his predecessors in ministry to Zurich. He had done so in order to bid an official farewell to his immediate predecessor, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber—who retired on Pentecost Sunday of this year—from the head office of the Church. More


The name of the new Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church is Jean-Luc Schneider

Hamburg/Zurich. As of this Pentecost Sunday 2013, the New Apostolic Church has a new spiritual leader: Jean-Luc Schneider is the new Chief Apostle and successor in ministry to Wilhelm Leber, who retired from ministry on this occasion. It was a special highlight when the new Chief Apostle discharged the previous Chief Apostle from his ministry with the words: “In our hearts you will remain our Chief Apostle!” More


Pentecost 2013: A new Chief Apostle for the New Apostolic Church

Zurich. There are only about four more weeks to go before Pentecost, when a new Chief Apostle will be ordained for the New Apostolic Church. The current international Church leader, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber, will retire at the age of 65 and will be succeeded in ministry by a French national, namely Jean-Luc Schneider (53). The preparations for this change have already been made, and all Church members around the world are aware that it is coming. More


Pentecost 2012: Jean-Luc Schneider appointed Chief Apostle Helper

Zurich/Cologne. After many years, the New Apostolic Church once again has a Chief Apostle Helper. In the Pentecost service on 27 May 2012 in Cologne Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber appointed the French District Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider with this new commission. He will in future provide support to the Chief Apostle and also take on some of his travels. “The transition is to proceed in as continuous a manner as possible,” said the Chief Apostle. He himself is already looking toward his own retirement, he explained, and is working early to address the matter of his succession. More


New Chief Apostle Helper to be appointed on Pentecost 2012

Zurich. In the divine service on Pentecost Sunday, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber will appoint a Chief Apostle Helper. “I would like to set an early course for the future,” stated the international Church leader, who will turn 65 this year. The date when he himself will retire remains open—perhaps in 2013 or 2014—however the work of a Chief Apostle Helper will already lighten his load quite perceptibly now. More


Festive divine service and fifty-year wedding anniversary in Zurich

Zurich. “I stand before you with a pounding heart” – it was with these words that Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber began his address to the anniversary couple, Sonja and Richard Fehr, as they celebrated their golden wedding. The large festive congregation was thankful and happy that the retired Chief Apostle Fehr had indeed been able to attend this special divine service despite the health impediments that had resulted from his recent stroke. More


Neuapostolische Kirche steht vor Stammapostelwechsel

Zürich. Das höchste in der Neuapostolischen Kirche zu vergebende Amt ist das Stammapostelamt. Der zurzeit amtierende Stammapostel Richard Fehr wird am Pfingstsonntag in einem Gottesdienst in Stuttgart in den Ruhestand treten. Er wird im Juli 66 Jahre alt. Seit 1988 ist er der oberste Repräsentant seiner Kirche. More


Eine Ära geht zu Ende: Stammapostel Richard Fehr geht in den Ruhestand!

Zürich. 17 Jahre lang war Richard Fehr Stammapostel der Neuapostolischen Kirche, von 1988 bis 2005. Am Pfingstsonntag, 15. Mai, tritt er in den wohlverdienten Ruhestand. Damit wird das höchste Amt in der Neuapostolischen Kirche neu besetzt. More


Eilmeldung aus Stuttgart: Wilhelm Leber wird neuer Stammapostel!

Stuttgart. Dr. Wilhelm Leber, bislang Bezirksapostel im Norden Deutschlands, wird Nachfolger von Stammapostel Richard Fehr und damit neuer Stammapostel der Neuapostolischen Kirche. More


Postscript to the Pentecost service 2005: Attendance was a record high

Zurich. Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber expressed happiness at the attendance of the Pentecost service of 2005. In a letter to the apostles, the chief apostle declares the worldwide satellite transmission of the Pentecost service from Fellbach a resounding success: 2.2 million participants witnessed the divine service live. More


Two chief apostles answer questions from reporters and church delegates

Zurich. The press conference on the New Apostolic Church's change in leadership took around an hour. The questions of the invited representatives from the media and other churches were numerous and very interesting. More


Video of "Pentecost 2005": Chief Apostle changeover in Fellbach

Zurich. (or) District Apostle Wilhelm Leber has become the new chief apostle of the New Apostolic Church. For the first time ever, nak.org is featuring a video of the highlights from the Pentecost service in Fellbach near Stuttgart. More


Change in the leadership of the New Apostolic Church: Wilhelm Leber is the new chief apostle

Zurich. This year's Pentecost service came to a festive conclusion as an emotional congregation bid farewell to Chief Apostle Richard Fehr, who after 17 years in office, officially transferred the leadership of the New Apostolic Church into younger hands. More


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