What aids can Priests resort to when making soul care visits? Since 2013, the New Apostolic Church Cape has been publishing a Devotional Journal for its ministers, an 88-page diary with articles based on Bible texts.
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
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Photo: NAC Cape
“The idea for an annual devotional calendar with thoughts for worship actually comes from the USA,” says Priest Kenny Kotze, the correspondent for nac.today in Cape Town. “Our Church there has been using this fantastic medium for a number of years already. Currently they produce a meditational journal that is also used during midweek gatherings.”
District Apostle Noel Barnes, who is responsible for the New Apostolic Church Cape, was convinced of the original concept. The first South African journal rolled off the press two years ago. The topic was “Thanks and Thanksgiving”. Last year’s theme was “Sowing, caring, and growing for Jesus”.
The journal is distributed to some 6,000 Priests; the number of printed copies this year was 6,500. The concept is simple and convincing: the twelve months are divided into individual weekly sheets and each month is complemented by two spiritual articles. This year the journal’s theme is “Joy in Christ”, the 2015 motto issued by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider and developed by him in the service on New Year’s Day.
Inspiring thoughts for soul care visits
In the foreword of the Devotional Journal, District Apostle Barnes explains his intentions: short, inspirational articles that are to serve as a solid spiritual basis for soul care visits. “They contain thought-provoking and often interesting perspec¬tives on how and why we should sustain our joy in Christ.” The District Apostle hopes that this publication may inspire and strengthen the brothers so that the “children of God entrusted into their care may become the beneficiaries of much blessing”.
The first article in March, for example, discusses the joy of Christ in daily life. The author refers to Psalm 16: 11 and writes about the fullness of joy. In our daily pursuit to attain earthly happiness we should not neglect to work for spiritual treasures. The closing thought reads: “Let us consider how we balance our striving toward natural and spiritual rewards.”
Keyword: Devotional Journal
The Devotional Journal is a weekly diary and is complemented by two articles on a biblical text each month. The articles are written by the Bishops of the New Apostolic Church Cape and contain thoughts on a Bible passage. At the bottom of each article is a concise statement, summarizing the contents. This year, all the articles address some aspect of joy in Christ, the 2015 motto issued by the Chief Apostle for the New Apostolic congregations worldwide.