The publication with the largest circulation in the New Apostolic Church is tiny in comparison. Printed, it is leaflet size. Several languages also produce a yearbook version. We are talking about the Divine Service Guide. The authors recently met so that the publication can continue to be created.
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: Oliver Rütten
It is June 10th, 2024 in a hotel close to the airport in New York (USA). It is half past nine in the morning. The pre-meeting conversations between District Apostles Michael Deppner and John Schnabel with the retired District Apostle Leonard Kolb, and District Apostle Helpers Frank Dzur and Robert Nsamba, Apostles Bradley Bourne, David Heynes, Arnaud Martig, Gerome Mintoor, Samuel Tansahtikno, and Fred Wolf are slowly winding down.
Apostle Jürgen Loy, head of the Divine Service Guide Working Group welcomes his colleagues. They have all been appointed by the Chief Apostle as authors to write two to three articles a year. He reminds the group how important the Divine Service Guide is for those who conduct services and that the authors constitute an instrument that strengthens the unity of the Church.
Tailor-made programme
Once a year, the English and German-speaking authors meet for a workshop. The meeting usually lasts several days and serves to foster personal interaction and hone writing skills.
Evangelist Reinhard Kiefer is also there. As a theologian and member of the working group, he regularly gives lectures—also in the circle of the authors. The topics includes current issues as well as subjects on which the authors have submitted questions.
First, the 2025 theme calendar is presented. Apostle Loy and Priest Oliver Rütten from the DSG working group explain how the various theme series correspond to the liturgical year.
Three groups, three articles
After lunch, small groups of three are created. They receive a sheet outlining a writing assignment, as they usually do by e-mail, and together they create an article. The sheet includes an extended context, which includes an explanation of the Bible text to be used, the theological significance, the theme series, and the focal point.
Normally, the authors sit alone in front of a blank screen, but in a group of three or four Apostles things are not necessarily any easier. Together they create a structure, which they present to the other participants. The actual writing of the article takes place in another group session. “Nice results.” The members of the working group are happy with the articles. “They have come up with some really good articles that we can use for the first Divine Service Guide editions in 2025.”
Delving deep into the Bible
A lecture by Evangelist Kiefer is dedicated to the tools that the Apostles are given for their texts: the extended contexts. He explains how these can be used to help with their writing.
The theologian will also be giving specialist lectures. On Tuesday afternoon, the Apostles hear two lectures dealing with the epistle to the Romans, namely “Israel” and “State and governing authorities”. Apostle Loy gives a talk on the modern-day issue of Anti-Semitism.
Looking forward to divine services
On Wednesday afternoon, the Apostles emerge from their meetings with a new focus and approach and are ready to return home into their working areas. Everybody benefits, not least those who attend the divine services. Because if the Divine Service Guide is well written and internationally understandable, the ministers in the congregations have a good basis to work with.