Self-actualisation of a divine sort

Three notions of freedom, but only one of them leads to the goal. Which one and how? This was something the Chief Apostle explained in a youth service. And it was less about theological theory and more about concrete, everyday life.

27 02 2020

Chief Apostle Congregation

+4

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Society
• Youth

Listen to it

Marking the start of Lent with more than just a cross of ashes

In the past, a cross of ashes on the forehead indicated the beginning of Lent. It heralded a look inside, a moment of self-criticism, and conscious action in Christian faith. Not a bad idea.

26 02 2020

Divine service

+1

• Easter

Listen to it

Spotlight 3/2020: You think you are free?

Jesus makes free — but what happens if a person fails to realise that he is still bound? For example, in thoughts or in prejudices? Some reflections from District Apostle John Kriel, South Africa.

25 02 2020

Africa

+8

• Annual motto
• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• New Year
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Now also available in Spanish: “Photography in Divine Service”

“In the divine service, the photographer should be practically transparent”—relates a South American cameraman. This is a wish that photographers around the world often hear. An e-book on the subject offers helpful tips—and it is now available in the Spanish language too.

24 02 2020

Acts of blessing

+7

• America
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Social commitment

Listen to it

Rediscovering your mother tongue

A universal language for all? Forgetting your mother tongue? Is that even possible? Sure it is! Fortunately, there is a common solution to both problems. A reflection on today's International Mother Language Day.

21 02 2020

Divine service

+3

• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

Listen to it

A direct address: District Apostles on the air

Sound on, camera running: the Chief Apostle was not the only one to address the brethren by video at the turn of the year. This practice is becoming more and more popular among the District Apostles too. A review…

20 02 2020

Africa America

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Christmas
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Event
• New Year
• Youth

Listen to it

Old creation—new creation: a life in conflict

There is hardly a Christian divine service that does not revolve around this theme: two kingdoms opposite one another—the classic conflict between good and evil. Chief Apostle Schneider shows a way out of this dilemma.

19 02 2020

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 

Listen to it

The sacraments (3): the doubly mysterious origins of the term

The term ‘sacrament’ and the Bible—it’s just one of those things: the idea is there, but not the actual word. The term only made its way into Christian vocabulary later on—and it even took two tries! Here is a story about semantics.

18 02 2020

Africa

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Surviving—with some neighbourly help

A roof over one’s head, something to eat—in many parts of the world, personal wish lists are very short. Here are some stories about people who help other people survive—and who try to conjure up a smile on their faces in the process.

14 02 2020

Africa

+3

• Asia
• Charity work
• Easter

Listen to it

Five dimensions of freedom

Love, return, inheritance, responsibility, coping: these are five kinds of freedom that Jesus Christ has available for us. It was in Nzagi, Angola that the Chief Apostle presented the key to all of this. And that is being a child.

13 02 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Children who are drilled to kill

What does he want to become when he is older? “A soldier,” replies the six-year-old boy. Why on earth would you say that? “Because then I will be able to kill people!” The young lad is deadly serious. Today’s commemoration of “Red Hand Day” serves as a reminder about this reality.

12 02 2020

Africa

+5

• Charity work
• Congregation
• Easter
• Profile
• Society

Listen to it

Spotlight 2/2020: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!

The battle for freedom is, above all, an inner battle, writes District Apostle Jürg Zbinden (Switzerland). What counts is to subject our own will under the will of God.

11 02 2020

Annual motto

+2

• District Apostle
• Society

Listen to it

From the wrong way to the way home

In both faith and life, everyone must find his or her own way: an elaborate film by young people from Eastern Germany—which missed its premier, not once, but three times—tells of precisely this experience.

10 02 2020

Congregation

+6

• Divine service
• Easter
• Event
• Pastoral care
• Seniors
• Youth

Listen to it

Stops on the way through life

The time between birth and death is filled with different experiences. There are many stops along the way through life: coming and going, becoming and passing away, first and last—all of this comprises life.

07 02 2020

Chief Apostle

+7

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Pastoral care
• Profile

Listen to it

A whirlwind of a weekend in Bogotá and Lima

Travelling to individual countries can certainly be strenuous, especially if the responsible District Apostle has announced his visit to congregations that are quite distant from one another. It is on just such a weekend in Colombia and Peru with District Apostle Leonard Kolb that Bishop Manfredo Stegmann reports.

06 02 2020

Acts of blessing

+14

• America
• Asia
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Good Friday
• Holy Communion
• Investiture
• Local news
• Ministry
• Sacraments
• Youth

Listen to it

Admiring the works of God

Looking back and taking stock — all on our own or in a larger circle instead? “Let us do this together in the congregation,” said Chief Apostle Schneider. An invitation to take thought and give thanks.

05 02 2020

Chief Apostle

+7

• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Easter
• Event
• Youth

Listen to it

The sacraments (2): one blueprint, four cornerstones

Sacraments — what is required for these? Wouldn’t faith be sufficient all on its own? The answer to this comes from Jesus Christ Himself. But how do they actually function, these doors that bring us close to God?

04 02 2020

Doctrine  History 

+3

• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Charity by sewing machine

A visit to a children’s hospice left an indelible impression on her. Using her creative skills, decorative seamstress Hannelore Berenz began a fundraiser. This is the story of how an old pair of jeans can become a good deed.

03 02 2020

Christmas

+1

• Congregation

Listen to it

Faith without borders

Talking to one another, singing together, praying together: this does not need to be restricted to Christians alone. Following are just some of the ways the New Apostolic Church advocates for peace and unity with other denominations and religions.

31 01 2020

Congregation

+2

• Denominations
• District Apostle

Listen to it

A law that passes no sentence

God excludes no one. He does not reject anyone. Quite the contrary: He helps, supports, accepts… God is a God for you, your friends, and even your enemies.

30 01 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 

Listen to it

Being close and getting closer — to God as He really is

“God is with you in all that you experience!” — In order to demonstrate this, God, the Son, became Man. However, that was only the beginning. After all, Jesus shows us a great deal more, namely the way to perfect and eternal closeness with God.

29 01 2020

Chief Apostle

Listen to it

Spotlight 01/2020: Freedom brings courage!

From a human perspective, limitless freedom is unachievable. The only limitless freedom that exists is through Jesus Christ. Following are some thoughts on the annual motto for 2020 from District Apostle Rüdiger Krause (Northern and Eastern Germany):

28 01 2020

Annual motto Chief Apostle

+4

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Easter
• New Year

Listen to it

Together we are strong

By their very self-definition, Christians are not lone warriors. And this is also shown again and again in the course of every subsequent week. On all continents, and in many thousands of congregations.

27 01 2020

Africa

+8

• Asia
• Congregation
• Denominations
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Social commitment
• Youth

Listen to it

World Leprosy Day: Who sinned?

World Leprosy Day will be commemorated on 26 January 2020. Why focus on it in the first place? Because leprosy is an underestimated disease that even today remains a menace to humanity in many countries of the world. An appeal to reflect…

24 01 2020

Anniversary

+1

• Society

Listen to it

Nothing is possible without hope

What would a person be without hope? That is why it is crucial to know what to hope for! Straight from the Chief Apostle: “The Holy Spirit nourishes our hope in eternal life. We wait for the return of the Lord and hold fast to this hope in trust and love.”

23 01 2020

Africa

+6

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 

Listen to it

The sacraments (1): Signs of the love of God

There are moments in our life of faith when heaven and earth practically touch. And these moments are so important that they have a name all to themselves: sacraments. What are these? Where do they originate? What do they accomplish? — Introducing a brand new series.

22 01 2020

Baptism 

+6

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

Listen to it