Ministry (13): Authority—with limits

Designated and ordained: the ordained minister is authorised to act and speak in the name of God. Nevertheless, these powers are anything but limitless.

December 2, 2019

Acts of blessing Apostolate

+10

• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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My Jesus — the faithful Servant

“Maranatha!” — The call for the return of Christ fits best into the Advent season, the time of expectation and arrival. But who exactly is this One who came and who is to return? Following is the first of four perspectives.

November 30, 2019

Advent

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Standing together — in both distress and joy

People gather on the ruins of a house to serve as rescuers. Women and men from a small congregation come together as believers to express their gratitude. And young people gather together to orient themselves by the example of Jesus as self-aware Christians. Three images that move us.

November 29, 2019

Acts of blessing

+9

• Africa
• Charity work
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Youth

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Being a Christian in word and deed — that is Advent!

The old church year is over. The new one has begun. The time of Advent is about more than merely singing nice songs, setting up the Christmas tree, and enjoying the fine aromas of the season. The season of waiting is to be a time of action!

November 28, 2019

Advent

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Christmas
• Congregation
• Divine service

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“Talking about the great deeds of God”

Those who profess Jesus are never alone. This is because God is always with them. And there is something special that radiates from anyone who has ever experienced this. And this is exactly what Christ is expecting of His helpers when it comes to serving all human beings in the kingdom of peace.

November 27, 2019

Australia / Pacific

+3

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service

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Working together to make the gospel heard

The collaboration of the New Apostolic Church with other Christian denominations in Europe is expanding. The process begins with personal contacts, but keeps on progressing, even after reaching the point of membership in regional boards.

November 26, 2019

Chief Apostle Congregation

+5

• Denominations
• Europe
• Local news
• Society
• Youth

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A hundred years of common features

With the end of the anniversary year, our series draws to a close. Since 1919 bread and wine have been united in Holy Communion throughout the New Apostolic Church. Interesting bits and pieces in conclusion.

November 25, 2019

Africa

+10

• Anniversary
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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“I urge you to respect human life!”

New beginnings in Kasai and a jubilee in Ghana. Often, the needs of the congregations vary greatly. Sometimes there is joy and at times great sadness. Join us as we look at two congregations.

November 22, 2019

Africa

+8

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• History 
• Pastoral care

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Serving God and our neighbour: how, where, when?

Following Jesus? There is more to it than just believing, praying, and going to church. Above all, it means serving God and our neighbour. How, where, and when? The Chief Apostle threw some light on this recently.

November 21, 2019

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Society

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Save our children: Universal Children’s Day 2019

Do children really need their own awareness day? The United Nations certainly think so, for the world does not belong to our children, although it should. Some thoughts contrary to the general trend.

November 20, 2019

Children

+1

• Society

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Ministry (12): Called and ordained

A person is chosen for a ministry by God, and ordination through a human being is the way he receives it—what exactly this is and how it differs from appointments and assignments is described here.

November 19, 2019

Chief Apostle

+8

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Youth

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“Back to Jesus—don’t allow any distance to come up”

The fall session of the International District Apostle Meeting ended with a divine service for the ministers of Europe. The focus of the Chief Apostle’s sermon was our nearness to Jesus Christ.

November 18, 2019

Chief Apostle

+8

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Social commitment

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Like a father

It was always there, a large capital “F” in his calendar. And it did not stand for “free”, but for the word “family”. This is how Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler regularly scheduled time for his loved ones.

November 16, 2019

Chief Apostle

+8

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Music
• Sacraments

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How to get Sunday School to the children

The new Sunday School teaching material is ready and is to be introduced everywhere. But in Africa this is not quite as simple as it may sound. This is what the District Apostle Meeting Africa is currently talking about.

November 15, 2019

Acts of blessing

+10

• Africa
• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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“Everyone is to know: we will not tolerate this!”

The New Apostolic Church strongly condemns violence and sexual assault. A clear signal is now coming from South Africa. Yesterday the District Apostle Meeting Africa dealt with this issue.

November 14, 2019

Africa

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Society
• Youth

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Giving to God – what counts is our heart

The ultimate sacrifice was brought by Jesus Christ. So what use are our offerings and sacrifices? Here are five good reasons, and what they mean for the giver.

November 13, 2019

America

+2

• Chief Apostle
• Divine service

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Getting the picture (12): Dos and Don’ts

Photography in divine service. It not only raises questions, but sometimes also eyebrows. But the series shows that there are good answers and ways of doing things. As the final article in this series, here are a few dos and don’ts to make photography a memorable experience for all involved.

November 12, 2019

Asia Congregation

+3

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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“Tomorrow, God-willing!”

As an ongoing physician, Lacey Smith from Los Angeles, California (USA) participated in a year-long medical fellowship in Haiti. And this restructured her world view, she says. How and why she describes in the following report.

November 11, 2019

Asia

+2

• Local news
• Palm Sunday

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Working together for Christ and against poverty

Christian fellowship strengthens—both when we profess our faith in Christ and when disaster strikes. Three recent examples demonstrate this.

November 8, 2019

Buildings

+9

• Charity work
• Congregation
• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Local news
• Ministry
• Music
• Thanksgiving Day

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Ministry (11): Perceiving whom God has destined for a ministry

Decisive is the will of God, but first of all humans have to perceive His will. Here are some answers to the question of how the ministry comes to its bearer.

November 7, 2019

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care

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There is no peace in our country

Christophe has lived in a refugee camp for 23 years. He not only looks after his own family there, but as a Priest also provides pastoral care for his brothers and sisters in faith. His life is one of huge challenges and an even greater dream.

November 6, 2019

Australia / Pacific

+9

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Grieving
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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Everybody should feel loved

If love is considered a chore, then something is wrong with our understanding of the gospel. After all, love is the standard for interpersonal relationships, the Chief Apostle said in a divine service recently.

November 5, 2019

Australia / Pacific Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Society

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Impulses from the IYC – Ideas for the Church of tomorrow

The Apostles wanted to know, how do young New Apostolic Christians want their Church to be? Answers were given during a moderated exchange of ideas and experiences at the International Youth Convention 2019.

November 4, 2019

Congregation

+7

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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International charities, an expression of Christian love

Providing food, clothing, and care. Starting in verse 31, Matthew 25 specifies what charity means. This week we take a look at the charities run by the New Apostolic Churches across the globe.

November 1, 2019

Africa

+10

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Charity work
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Ministry
• Social commitment

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From darkness to light: the essence of the Christian belief

In the northern hemisphere, the month of November is dark and dreary. The days become shorter, the temperatures fall. For many people it is a miserable time of year. But there is hope, and this is always stronger than the night. Things will become better.

October 31, 2019

Advent

+5

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

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God’s will is not up for discussion

Christians believe that God is omnipotent. But what exactly does that mean? And why is it so important for a believer to know this? Answers from the Chief Apostle in a recent divine service.

October 30, 2019

Chief Apostle

+2

• Congregation
• Divine service

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