Faith unites around nine million members of the New Apostolic Church around the world. Many of them who do not have Internet access look forward to receiving a printed copy of the quarterly Church magazine. The latest issue is now on its way to our brothers and sisters.
The main subject of the latest issue of community is “The most holy faith”. The title is taken from the Bible text that Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider used for the Pentecost service this past May: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). Everyone everywhere can re-read the divine service in a variety of languages and recall the event.
Faith brings joy
“Lasting joy in our hearts” is the title of a condensed version of the divine service the Chief Apostle conducted in Sarandí in Argentina. In this divine service, the Chief Apostle explained that God loves His children as He loves Jesus. If we remain in God’s love—and you can read about how to do this on pages ten and eleven of the latest issue of community—Jesus will give you His joy.
Boosting the youngest ones’ daily dose of joy is the aim of the magazine’s Children’s Corner. In this issue we explore the story of David and Saul in a child-friendly way. And Makafui from Accra in Ghana talks about his country, his congregation, and what he enjoys doing: playing the violin to praise God and playing football with his brothers. It is certainly not just the children who enjoy these colourful pages.
Love of neighbour grows from faith
NAK-Humanitas, the aid organisation of the New Apostolic Church Switzerland, has been supporting Kiru Children’s Aid Romania for many years and has been running a day care centre in Zăbrani in Romania since 2013. For the District Apostles’ Meeting last May, the aid organisation came up with a little job for the wives of the District Apostles and their assistants. They had wanted to do something meaningful. After listening to a presentation about NAK-Humanitas they painted yellow smiley faces on blue T-shirts for the children. You can read the fully story in the new issue.
When faith makes you think
What is the situation of human beings in the beyond? When and how is salvation offered to the dead? An essay by the Chief Apostle attempts to answer these questions. The new issue of community features the article almost full-length. A second essay entitled “How God protects the church” deals with questions relating to the church.
There are also two reports on divine services conducted by the Chief Apostle in Singapore and in South Africa last year that invite readers to reflect on questions of faith. How can we be ready for the return of Christ? And how can we preserve the precious treasures of the gospel? Answers to these questions can be found in the magazine.
Faith must be organised
A church is an organisation that is run by human beings. In the New Apostolic Church these are the District Apostles. They met over Pentecost to discuss Church matters and organisational issues. The project group Congregation of the Future has been looking at what the task of a congregation is and what resources and infrastructure are needed for this. In the article “Backstage at the Church summit” the reader gets an idea of all that is involved in organising a District Apostles’ Meeting. There is the story of the District Apostle who forgot the key to his suitcase, another one forgot his charging cable for his mobile. These are problems that the NACI team can solve quickly. The District Apostles leave themselves a little more time when making important decisions that affect the global Church.
And the Chief Apostle is always well organised. On the last page of the magazine, readers can see where the Chief Apostle will be next.