The ordination of an Apostle is a special occasion. But before the ordination takes place, there is a ceremony—one usually held in the presence of the Apostles alone. What happens during such a solemn gathering? nac.today offers a glimpse behind the scenes.
The spiritual ministry is not a personal possession that one can dispose of as one pleases. According to the New Apostolic definition of ministry, this applies to all ministers of the Church. For Apostles, there is something else as well: before their ordination, they make a special commitment in a separate ceremony.
A moment in a small circle
This usually takes place on the eve of the divine service during which the Apostle’s ordination takes place: the Chief Apostle, the Apostles present, and the future fellow Apostle(s) withdraw to a separate room.
Initially, the discussion centres on the apostolic ministry, its responsibilities, and its leadership function. Towards the end of the meeting, everyone’s attention turns to a few sheets of paper. These are signed in a solemn ceremony.
The significance of this is explained in Article 4 of the Statutes of the New Apostolic Church International.
An association that serves unity
The New Apostolic Church International (NACI) is an independent association
under Swiss law with its permanent domicile in Zurich. Its members are the Chief Apostle and all active Apostles of the New Apostolic Church throughout the world.
The purpose of NACI is to foster spiritual unity of all the Apostles with the Chief Apostle and the Apostles among themselves. Furthermore, the association is to promote the unity of all New Apostolic Regional Churches as part of a globally active Church as a whole.
An Apostle becomes a member through his ordination. The responsible District Apostle proposes a minister to the Chief Apostle, who then decides on the ordination. But prior to the ordination, there is something else that needs to be done: the future Apostle takes a vow.
To love, to serve, and to remain faithful
“Before God, the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I vow to love God, the Almighty, the Creator of all things, with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength, and to love my neighbour as myself,” it says in the first part.
“It is my sacred duty to proclaim the doctrine of Jesus Christ, especially the redeeming power of His sacrifice and His return, and to allow myself to be led by the Holy Spirit alone, in order to fulfil the mission I have received in the name of Jesus truthfully, diligently, conscientiously, and justly. I resolve to serve in humbleness and conduct myself worthily and honourably before God and man.
“I acknowledge the Chief Apostle as the supreme minister, and assure him of my full support. I pledge myself to the Chief Apostle and the District Apostles and Apostles of the New Apostolic Church united with him, whose highest duty is obedience in faith, whose greatest honour is faithfulness to the work of God, and whose ultimate goal is perfection in Christ.”
And finally: “In my exercise of this leading ministry of the New Apostolic Church, I shall always stand behind this profession unambiguously, and live in accordance with the gospel as an Apostle of the New Apostolic Church.”
Solemn, but not secret
Only after having taken this vow can the prospective Apostle be ordained. All of this is set out in writing: the Statutes must be signed in triplicate, with copies going to the Chief Apostle, the responsible District Apostle, and the minister to be ordained.
By the way, the New Apostolic Church makes no secret of the vow taken by an Apostle. The full text has been published since 2003 at the latest. It can also be found in the NACI Statutes in the 2010 version and in the current 2022 version.
Photo: Oliver Rütten