The Church’s Serving and Leading policy has been updated. New content and additional chapters address key developments of recent years and reinforce the concept of serving.
For several weeks now, the revised version of the Serving and Leading policy has been available online on the Church’s website nak.org in English, French, Spanish, and German. They were officially approved at the District Apostle Meeting in Wiesbaden in June 2025. What exactly has changed?
A policy adapts to changes
The Serving and Leading policy of the New Apostolic Church was introduced in 2001. It serves as a uniform and binding foundation for the actions of ministers. The policy is also aimed at members who perform a service in the Church without a ministry, including children and youth leaders, Religious Instruction and Confirmation teachers, choir and orchestra conductors, and leaders of working and project groups.
Until now, the policy covered the following key topics: requirements for those entrusted to lead, authority, leadership style, delegating, communication, overcoming conflicts. However, much has changed over the last 25 years. In 2006, the Vision and Mission statements of the New Apostolic Church were published, followed by the Catechism in 2012, and the revised Guide for Ministers in 2022.
These four foundational works are now reflected in the Serving and Leading policy, whose wording has been carefully harmonised with the Catechism in particular. Besides, in the past, the policy placed greater emphasis on the aspect of leading than on serving. Serving and Leading has therefore now been revised to better reflect and integrate these points.
New chapters, new inspiration
All the existing sections have been harmonised to reflect the Vision and Mission statements as well as the Catechism. The foreword and the summary have been updated. In addition, the individual chapters have been reviewed, edited, and expanded to include clear practical guidance. Three new chapters have been introduced.
The chapter on “Authority” describes how the Church understands authority: Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Church leadership is also defined from this Christ-centred perspective. In this context, it is explicitly stated that the Chief Apostle, together with the Apostles, leads the Church and is the highest spiritual authority. He thus holds a leading position within the circle of the Apostles. At the same time, the Serving and Leading policy distinguishes between external and inner authority. External authority relies on the decision-making power conferred upon leaders on the basis of their position within the Church order. Inner authority, on the other hand, grows from spiritual, human, and professional skills, from credibility and reliability, and from the convincing example that leaders set by practising the teachings of the Church. Only when this inner authority becomes apparent can leadership build lasting trust, foster acceptance, and contribute to the fulfilment of the Church’s mission.
The chapter on “Delegation” encourages ministers to consciously delegate tasks and responsibilities. This allows for the sharing of responsibilities, encourages participation and supports the fulfilment of the Church’s mandate. Delegation is more than simply assigning tasks: it frees up time for core leadership tasks, strengthens the sense of responsibility among those involved, and helps to make targeted use of existing talents and skills. Delegation requires that tasks be clearly defined, that competencies be carefully assessed, and that those entrusted with responsibilities receive appropriate support. Even if certain responsibilities are delegated, the responsibility for leadership remains with the person delegating the tasks.
Three new chapters have been added to the Serving and Leading policy:
- Serving is described as the very essence of ministry and church. Serving God and our neighbour belong together and always correspond to the example of Jesus Christ; spiritual ministry can only be performed in connection with Christ, the apostolate, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Participation and representation: The focus here is on the benefits and impact of involving Church members, but also on representing Church regulations, the Church in public, and advocating for the needs and interests of the congregational members by the leaders.
- Guiding message for implementation: The guiding message for implementation emphasises the spiritual attitude: mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and forgiving one another. But above all these things is love that holds everything together and gives the policy its true inner strength.
The 16-page brochure emphasises that it was created to foster transparency and trust, while also promoting appreciation, motivation, and identification.
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