church.today

Pastoral care (18): Personal responsibility and its many misconceptions

Human beings can choose what to do and what not to do. We are not free to decide, however, whether we sin by our decision and thus incur a debt before God. Personal responsibility also means being willing to bear the consequences of our actions.

30 11 2021

Chief Apostle Congregation

+4

• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Society

Listen to it

When waiting turns into joy

As parents wait for the birth of their child the excitement builds. It is a time of intensity: the child will change their life completely. It is similar with the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is an intense time of commemorating the birth of the Son of God and of expecting His return.

29 11 2021

Advent

+5

• Ascension Day
• Christmas
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 

Listen to it

The sacraments (46): The other two-part division

The Catholic practice of confirmation as a sacrament was only accorded a few quiet centuries. But then the reformers came along and sought to anchor the Christian rite of initiation in the act of baptism alone—and nevertheless instituted their own practice of confirmation in the process.

25 11 2021

Acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments
• Youth

Listen to it

“We are doing things at our own pace”

The fall session of the District Apostle Meeting has ended. Prominent topics were our concept of ministry, biblical authorship issues, and a new Guide for Ministers.

22 11 2021

Apostolate

+12

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Society

Listen to it

First news item on day one

Zero tolerance. This is the stance taken by the New Apostolic Church towards sexual abuse and assault. And this is what Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made clear at the conference of the District Apostles in Zurich, Switzerland.

18 11 2021

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Society

Listen to it

There’s a place for you here too

Since 2015, members of the New Apostolic Church have been smiling at passers-by from display cases outside our churches. Starting next year, sisters and brothers will still be shown, but only as silhouettes. The project manager explains the idea behind this.

09 11 2021

Annual motto Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Europe
• Event
• Youth

Listen to it

The sacraments (45): One baptism, two sacraments

The rebirth out of water and Spirit: what began as a rite in two parts developed into two independent sacraments. The catalyst was the overwhelming success of Christendom.

08 11 2021

Acts of blessing

+7

• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Help to cope with difficulties

Covid-19 is still keeping the world on tenterhooks. There are also other areas where help is urgently needed. Sisters and brothers around the world are committed to doing what they can.

04 11 2021

Africa

+7

• Australia / Pacific
• Charity work
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Seniors
• Youth

Listen to it

Pastoral care (17): Doctrinal developments—a problem area?

Always so many changes! There is hardly any other church that has developed so far in such a short time. For many, the reaction to this is: “I can’t even recognise my own Church any more!” And yet others are happy about the changes. How are we to deal with this?

21 10 2021

Apostolate

+6

• Chief Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Bringing glory to God with choirs and recorders

People already made music in biblical times. King David had 4,000 people play musical instruments to the glory of God. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn at the Last Supper. And in order to ensure that music remains a firm component of our faith life, it is encouraged and supported all around the world.

15 10 2021

Charity work

+6

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

Listen to it

Mankind: created in the image of God

In the last edition of community, readers were informed about the findings of the District Apostle Meeting with regard to the matter of gender equality. The second part of this doctrinal article in the latest edition of community will explore what it means to say that mankind has been created in the image of God.

05 10 2021

District Apostle

+3

• History 
• Organisation
• Society

Listen to it

Learning from others

Knowing that someone with experience is nearby is invaluable. Drawing on their knowledge and ability often saves you from having to make your own futile attempts at something. This is called coaching, and coaching also works in our faith.

28 09 2021

Congregation

Listen to it

The man who wrote Church history

He was and remains an example not only in terms of pastoral care and leadership qualities. Also as a researcher he proved his mettle and how things can be done: District Apostle Karl Weinmann would have celebrated his 120th birthday today, 14 September 2021.

14 09 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Pastoral care
• Profile

Listen to it

The sacraments (41): Is Holy Sealing merely a New Apostolic phenomenon?

What distinguishes the New Apostolic doctrine from that of other faiths? This question and others like it come up time and again. Depending on the context, the answer to this question can be longer or shorter. But most often it involves one key concept: Holy Sealing.

31 08 2021

Acts of blessing

+9

• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Liturgical milestones in book format

What role does the timing of the Our Father play in the worship service? Why are the prayers spoken without a script? Why does the organ play softly prior to the divine service? Answers to these questions can be found in the early liturgies of the Church.

25 08 2021

Acts of blessing

+11

• Advent
• America
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Pastoral care (15): The Bible is not a book of oracles

What is there to discuss when a minister meets with believers for a pastoral care visit? That depends on the particular situation. It would certainly not be entirely absurd to think that they might talk about content from Holy Scripture. Or perhaps rather not?

23 08 2021

Chief Apostle

+1

• Pastoral care

Listen to it

The sacraments (39): Shed for whom?

For whom did Jesus Christ die? For us? For many? Or for all? This question has resulted in a small but significant change in the consecration formula for Holy Communion. The answer has been well researched.

03 08 2021

Doctrine  Holy Communion

+1

• Sacraments

Listen to it

Professing faith to many ears

Podcasts are becoming more and more popular all around the world. People use them to talk about everything on God’s green earth. And since God is the Creator of it all, it wasn’t long before some of our own members decided to take advantage of the opportunity to use podcasts to profess their faith.

21 07 2021

America

+14

• Ascension Day
• Australia / Pacific
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Music
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Social commitment
• Society
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

Listen to it

The sacraments (38): Much more than just a receipt

When it comes to its understanding of Holy Communion, the New Apostolic Church is still fairly close to its Catholic Apostolic roots. But it has been quite a journey to get there. Following is an outline of the route.

20 07 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Pastoral care survey: women for women

Is there a need for women in pastoral care? There sure is! This is the conclusion reached by an official work group in the New Apostolic Church Western Germany—and the group has concrete figures to demonstrate the need for a response to this demand in the congregations.

13 07 2021

Congregation

+8

• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Youth

Listen to it

Worshipping together

The celebration of divine services is something that, outwardly, has changed in the course of Church history. Now circumstances have forced us to go online as well. But can online services even provide a dignified setting?

09 07 2021

Chief Apostle

+7

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Music
• Sacraments
• Youth

Listen to it

All are created equal

The New Apostolic Church recognises the equality of the sexes. An essay in the new issue of community summarises findings by the District Apostle Meeting from the biblical account of creation. Here is the summary of a summary.

05 07 2021

District Apostle Doctrine 

+3

• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation

Listen to it

The sacraments (37): The Lord’s Supper in four dimensions

Let each celebrate Communion in their own way? The leap over the church fence is still rather difficult, but there is substantial common ground. This is outlined by the words of consecration and explained by the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church.

29 06 2021

Ascension Day

+4

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Women in ministry: a debate full of contrasts

There was certainly plenty of buzz on the social media sponsored by the New Apostolic Church. The subject of women in ministry generated hundreds of comments. And the reactions could hardly have been more different.

17 06 2021

Africa

+13

• Apostolate
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Society

Listen to it

The sacraments (36): A leap over the church fence?

Some call it the Eucharist, others the Lord’s Supper. For some it is ministers acting in Christ’s stead, for others it is the universal priesthood. For some it is a transformation, for others the body and blood of Christ are joined to the substance. Here it is Christ, there it is a symbol. Although Holy Communion is celebrated in all churches, it is celebrated differently everywhere.

15 06 2021

Congregation

+7

• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Ordination of women: the decision-making process

The deliberations on the topic of women in ministry are entering the next round. This is what the Chief Apostle says in his annual interview of 2021. He gives a concrete roadmap and an update on the current status of the discussions.

10 06 2021

Apostolate

+8

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

Listen to it

don't miss

Unity in diversity. The Church in conflict?

When cultures clash. Do Africans have to become more European or Europeans more African? Do those who are more conservative have to become more progressive? Or the other way around? The answer can be found in the Bible.

31 01 2024

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+10

• Doctrine 
• Divine service
• Congregation
• Pastoral care
• Organisation
• Europe
• America
• Africa
• Australia / Pacific
• Society

Listen to it

When decision-makers should abstain

What if a conflict of interest arises for a member of the Church’s governing body? The Board of Directors of the New Apostolic Church International (NACI) broached this controversial question recently and set down guidelines.

24 01 2025

Organisation

Listen to it

NACI is working on an e-learning program

The New Apostolic Church would like to offer its ministers better training opportunities—and on a global level, at that. It is for this reason that the New Apostolic Church International (NACI) is working on an e-learning program. Following are some initial insights. 

19 12 2024

Ministry Divine service

+2

• Pastoral care
• Media

Listen to it