church.today

Reading with the Spirit and reason

In the Bible, people testify of the revelations of God. These testimonies are of course inspired by the Holy Spirit, but are also influenced by the knowledge and culture of the people of the time. And this has consequences especially for the reader today. Here is a handout by the Chief Apostle.

06 02 2023

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+3

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Organisation

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Development and teaching in the New Apostolic Church

School is not the only place where one can learn something. One can also do so in church. Tomorrow, 24 January is the International Day of Education. Here are a few examples how the New Apostolic Church is involved in teaching its members.

23 01 2023

Acts of blessing

+10

• Africa
• Buildings
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Local news
• Music
• Youth

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Ministry (22): Man and woman and what the Church teaches

The Bible has quite a bit to say about the relationship and the responsibility of man and woman. What doctrinal conclusions does the New Apostolic Church draw from this? Here are the relevant passages from the Catechism and teaching documents.

17 01 2023

Congregation

+3

• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry

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Ministry (21): The alleged law

The man “shall” rule over the woman. A few words from Genesis are cited by some to oppose the ordination of women. However, God does not formulate a creative will here nor a commandment, but rather predicts the consequences of the fall into sin. This is shown by a careful look at the Bible.

05 01 2023

Congregation

+3

• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry

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Coming soon: women in ministry

The year 2022 will go down into the New Apostolic history books. For the very first time, the Church has provided a doctrinal answer to a 160-year-old question. And the resulting decision will begin to take effect in the year 2023—when women will also be given the opportunity to be ordained into ministry.

28 12 2022

Apostolate

+12

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Society

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Ushering in a new generation of leadership

It was the year of the District Apostle Helpers: over the past twelve months, the Chief Apostle assigned no less than three new ones. This is not by coincidence. In fact, there is a stated reason behind these changes. And it all has to do with the future.

26 12 2022

Africa America

+11

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Retirement

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The birth of Christ gives freedom, peace, and love

A Word that becomes flesh? What exactly does that mean? The key is found at the very beginning of John’s gospel. This famous prologue speaks about the logos who dwells among us. And that has a lot to do with Christmas.

25 12 2022

Christmas

+2

• Denominations
• Doctrine 

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The team has got the hang of it

The blue shelf in the background is unmistakable. This piece of furniture always appears when a new year begins, namely in the Chief Apostle’s New Year’s address. In a supporting role this time around: a piece of invisible art.

22 12 2022

Annual motto

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• New Year

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The sacraments (67): A story behind every sentence

Three years and 66 parts later… The series on the sacraments has given us a lot of food for thought on theology and history in general and on New Apostolic specialties in particular. As a final instalment, here is an overview with dozens of links.

13 12 2022

Baptism 

+9

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Denominations
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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A District Apostle Helper for Western Germany

The new man has already demonstrated leadership qualities: both in the Church and in his working life. He also has pastoral qualities. This is what companions say. They are convinced: the New Apostolic Church Western Germany can look forward to its District Apostle Helper.

06 12 2022

Africa

+14

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Social commitment
• Society

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Teamwork on a global scale

Work on the new children’s teaching material is progressing well. An overview was given at the recent international District Apostle Meeting. Writers and teams from various countries are involved in compiling the various books.

28 11 2022

Acts of blessing

+10

• Africa
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Jesus instead of Adam: from old to new

The old Adam: an old acquaintance from past sermons. But is this more than just an empty phrase? Who remembers what exactly this is all about? A fresh boost from a divine service with the Chief Apostle, including instructions.

23 11 2022

Chief Apostle

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• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Music
• Organisation
• Sacraments
• Society

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On the way to a new life

From the old to the new Adam, from the first human being to perfect human beings. The Chief Apostle traced this development in the divine service that marked the end of the District Apostle Meeting. The report will be published this evening. In advance, here are the sketchnotes.

23 11 2022

Chief Apostle

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• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Organisation

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Ministry (19): Man and woman in the image of God

Men and women in ordained ministry? This is only a fragment of a much larger question: how do human beings understand themselves and their task in the world? The Bible gives us the answer in the creation account. And there we read: created in the image of God.

22 11 2022

Doctrine 

+2

• Investiture
• Ministry

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Online services to be continued

The International District Apostle Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, came to an end on Sunday with a divine service. Strictly speaking, the meeting consisted of a series of individual sessions.

21 11 2022

Africa

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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The Church expands its misconduct policy

Clear words, strong action… In line with this motto, the New Apostolic Church is continuing its fight against sexual misconduct. This was also evident at the meetings of the District Apostles this past week.

18 11 2022

Africa

+8

• Charity work
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Society

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Ministry (18): Embarking on a journey of discovery

What is ministry? How does it work? How does it relate to the person? This is what we have been discussing over the last 17 instalments of this series. Now we are moving on to look at who can carry a ministry. To find the right answer we need to look closely.

10 11 2022

Chief Apostle Doctrine 

+3

• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry

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Going to all people everywhere

It is important how the Church communicates. The New Apostolic Church South America has developed a comprehensive concept for this. And both ministers and members play an important role in this. The focus is on the Church’s mission statement.

08 11 2022

America

+4

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Local news

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The other side of creation

Before a divine service for the departed, the hereafter seems to be especially near. Yet, what can we say offhand about this other world? Here are some answers from the Bible and the Catechism.

03 11 2022

Baptism 

+5

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Piloting the Church through stormy waters

It was like a jump into the deep end: this is how his career as a communicator began—even before he began to work for the Church. Peter Johanning has now retired as media officer.

27 10 2022

Chief Apostle

+3

• District Apostle
• Organisation
• Profile

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Women in ministry: the teaching document is on its way

“We will answer all your questions.” The New Apostolic Church is serious about its promise to ordain women. The fundamental teaching document is on its way. And meetings are starting to be offered at the local level.

24 10 2022

Apostolate

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation

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The sacraments (65): On earth as it is in heaven

Acts in this world for the beyond. Why would this even be necessary? Jesus Christ Himself set the example by coming into this world to bring salvation to the living and the dead. This also marks the nature of the sacraments.

18 10 2022

Apostolate Concept of salvation for the departed

+5

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (64): Where the love of God breaks through

It has been called the structural law of biblical salvation history: the principle of substitution. Even the New Apostolic Church’s understanding of salvation for the departed is founded upon this. Following is the story of where the fundamental model originates—and where it ultimately leads.

06 10 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+6

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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When less becomes more

Always on the go: Almut Quittenbaum was always active and involved, professionally, privately, and in the Church. Then she had a breakdown. She learned that less can be more. The congregation and the arts helped her.

26 09 2022

Congregation

+6

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Grieving
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Social commitment

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The video transcript for reading reference

Read up in black and white on what the Chief Apostle had to say about the Church’s understanding of ministry: the transcript of his video address is available for download here.

20 09 2022

Chief Apostle

+3

• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Organisation

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Church says yes to women in ministry

For the first time in its 160-year history, the New Apostolic Church has, from a doctrinal perspective, provided a response to the question of whether women can be ordained to ministry—and the answer was a resounding yes. Following are some of the reasons and background information for what amounts to a “significant shift in our tradition”.

20 09 2022

Apostolate

+10

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Society

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don't miss

“Questions and Answers” will be published in fall 2015

A new variant of the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church is scheduled to appear in September 2015. This resolution was passed by the District Apostle Meeting at its most recent session. The reference work has been structured into "Questions and Answers" and is scheduled for publication in five languages to start.

16 03 2015

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+7

• Doctrine 
• Divine service
• Congregation
• Youth
• Organisation
• Asia
• Africa

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“The Lord is risen indeed!”

The Passiontide, with the death of the Lord on Good Friday, ends magnificently in the resurrection of the Lord. This is the fundamental belief of all Christians. But why is this day of the resurrection so important for us?

04 04 2015

Good Friday Chief Apostle

+9

• Apostolate
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Baptism 
• Holy Sealing
• Holy Communion
• Divine service
• Congregation
• Denominations

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“Typically New Apostolic”—the legacy of Apostle Schwarz

Like no one else, he influenced the development of a movement that eventually became the New Apostolic Church . Not only because he played a central role in our Church's history, but also because he had a defining impact on a Christian denomination that was still in its infancy at the time: Apostle Friedrich Wilhelm Schwarz was born 200 years ago today.

11 04 2015

District Apostle Apostolate

+10

• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Holy Sealing
• Holy Communion
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Divine service
• Congregation
• Pastoral care
• Grieving
• History 

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