Have you fully understood our concept of ministry? Find out on nac.academy and take a test. Not only ministers are invited to do so, but anyone who would like to understand how the Church works.
What is a ministry? How does it begin and how is it terminated? And what is the difference between Apostle and Chief Apostle? These and many other questions are addressed and answered in the “Concept of ministry” module on nac.academy, the online learning platform of the New Apostolic Church International.
It is available in over ten languages and is freely accessible, so anyone with an interest is invited to explore. The content is structured in modules that can be completed in approximately 30 to 75 minutes. Texts, audio files, videos, and self-assessments facilitate learning. All materials have been reviewed and approved by the Church’s leaders.
“Spiritual ministry in the Church”, “The Apostle ministry and the Petrine office”, “Ministry and authority” are the titles of the first chapters of the module “Concept of ministry”. And here you will also come across the first questions:
What does the ministerial mandate define, as compared to ministerial authority?
- It is independent of the Church and its order.
- It is the right to speak and act in the name of God.
- It defines a specific working area within the Church.
- It is imparted directly by Jesus Christ.
Careful, only one of the answers is correct. Which one? After submitting, the system will yield the correct result. Next is the chapter on ordination, appointment, and assignment—specifically the differences between these.
This portion looks at the disparate relationship between the ministry and the person. The key to this is the Doctrine of the Dual Nature of Christ, which nac.academy explains clearly, concisely, and in an easy-to-understand way.
What does the first account of creation say about man and woman?
- Man and woman are not equal.
- Only the man was created in the image of God.
- Both were created together in the image of God.
- Only the woman is to rule over the creation.
Here, too, there is only one correct answer—that is, the one God Himself gives in the Bible. This forms the basis for the possibility of the ordination of women.
Towards the end of the module, the focus shifts from theological aspects to organisational matters. This compact review of the module includes a key question:
Why does the Church need mandatory rules and guidelines for ministers?
- They assure the rights and obligations of the ministers in transparent fashion.
- They protect members of the congregation from abuse of power.
- They maintain trust and unity in doctrine and in practice.
- They promote arbitrary decisions.
There are three correct answers here. In conclusion, the module provides a concise summary of our concept of ministry in just four paragraphs. The headings are as follows: “The ministry is a gift of God to His church”, “Three levels of ministry – one source”, “Authority meets mandate” and “Rights and obligations”.
The “Concept of ministry” module includes texts, videos, and self-assessments. It takes about 60 minutes to complete. The resources on nac.academy are freely accessible, so anyone with an interest is invited to explore and be inspired.
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