church.today

Fellowship is both the way and the goal

Training in the fellowship of the believers for eternal fellowship with God: this is how the Chief Apostle understands salvation in Christ and our preparation for it. What this means he explained in his annual interview 2021.

03 06 2021

Chief Apostle Congregation

+7

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (35): Who is allowed to the table and where?

Taking a seat at the Lord’s table—that can involve a lot of hurdles: all Christian churches attach conditions to participation in Holy Communion. Anyone who decides to visit another denomination can easily get tangled up.

01 06 2021

Acts of blessing

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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Getting to know the church of Christ

“I believe in…the one, holy, universal, and apostolic church…” Such is the New Apostolic Church’s understanding of church. But what exactly does it mean by that? The sermons in June shed some light on the matter.

31 05 2021

Apostolate

+5

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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A hymn of thanks despite the pandemic

Just imagine, Pentecost is here, and no one is going! This year, the New Apostolic world will instead meet by satellite and internet in order to celebrate the birthday of the church of Christ. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider will take to the airways from Switzerland for the festive divine service.

22 05 2021

Chief Apostle

+9

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Celebrating Pentecost in church and at home

“At home worldwide” is the nac.today slogan and could not be more appropriate for Pentecost 2021: not only is the New Apostolic Church at home all over the world, but the Church is also bringing the feast home. The connection, in any case, will be made.

21 05 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Music
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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The sacraments (33): How often should we partake?

When is the table of the Lord prepared? And how often should believers come to the table? In the past and present of the various denominations, the gamut of when to partake in the Lord’s Supper runs from once a day to once a year—let’s take a tour through some of the churches.

04 05 2021

Congregation Denominations

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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Out of the sky and into the net

Goodbye satellites, hello more broadcasts and a broadcast license for open streaming! The New Apostolic Church is repositioning itself for divine service transmissions in Europe. The catalyst for this change is not least of all the Covid-19 pandemic.

24 04 2021

Congregation

+5

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Pastoral care (11): Confession and the quest for relief from guilt

Confession is a touchy subject. It is a highly sensitive and personal matter and often involves unresolved guilt. It is a difficult subject for all concerned.

15 04 2021

Congregation

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (31): The sequence according to the menu

It all began as a simple table prayer and developed into a rich culture incorporating many different forms of expression. We’re talking, of course, about the celebration of Holy Communion. Where did it come from and where will it lead? Here are some similarities and differences.

07 04 2021

Ascension Day

+5

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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At what point does the body separate from the soul?

Whether it has to do with organ donation, euthanasia, or measures to prolong life, modern medicine repeatedly confronts us with existential decisions. Following is an orientation guide from the point of view of the New Apostolic faith.

06 04 2021

Pastoral care

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Vivit: He lives!

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. This is what Christians celebrate on Easter, whether in person in church or in their virtual congregations.

03 04 2021

Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Easter
• Music

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The sacraments (29): The clash over the cup

There is to be bread and wine at Holy Communion. Jesus said so. But what about children, people with allergies, and alcoholics? Will one of the two elements do the job just as well? Church history provides some answers.

09 03 2021

Congregation

+4

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Same nature, same value, same mission

The New Apostolic Church professes equality and equal rights for both women and men. This is one of the conclusions that derives from its most recent doctrinal paper, which includes an appeal for both men and women to accept responsibility in the state, the church, and in society together.

04 03 2021

District Apostle

+6

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Society

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Preparation for the service for the departed

God loves all human beings and God wants to save every single one. So what does He need believers for? A divine service packed with Christian basics, a little poetry, and above all pure joy.

26 02 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

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

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Across congregational boundaries

Most of our congregational life has moved online because of the pandemic. This also includes divine services that are being offered in live webcasts globally. Here is the updated overview for Sunday.

05 02 2021

Acts of blessing

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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Church construction is a community effort

There are many New Apostolic congregations who still harbour the wish for their very own church building. With a support programme worth a few million and some personal initiative, such a dream can indeed come true for many.

26 01 2021

Africa

+13

• America
• Buildings
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Music
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments
• Youth

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A District Apostle Helper for Northern Europe

Only a few weeks after the most recent retirement, the circle of District Apostle Helpers will receive a new addition: to support one of the largest District Apostle Areas.

25 01 2021

Africa Apostolate

+13

• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Retirement

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Pastoral care (09): reaching out to the youth

“Shaping the future of the Church” can be achieved by those who win young Christians over to be active in the Church, says Chief Apostle Schneider. Following are some thoughts on the challenges, the opportunities, and a win-win situation.

19 01 2021

America

+8

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Europe
• Event
• Pastoral care
• Society
• Youth

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Learning from Jesus

“We spread the message of God’s kingdom. Christian faith is designed to be shared with others.” This is what the Catechism says, and this is how we practise it; also with online services on Sunday.

08 01 2021

Africa

+5

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Music

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At what point are body and soul joined?

When exactly does human life begin and when does it end? The boundaries are not always clear. But clear answers are important, because sometimes critical personal decisions need to be made. Here is some help from the Church.

07 01 2021

History 

+1

• Society

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The story of the man who was Chief Apostle for 30 years

These were difficult times in the history of the New Apostolic Church. They included two world wars, internationalisation, consolidation, division, and realignment—a little bit of everything. And he stood firm like a rock in the pounding surf: Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff was born 150 years ago today.

02 01 2021

America

+11

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Ministry
• Organisation

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nak.org 3.0 is online

All the latest features, and the best of the old to boot: as of today, nak.org, the website of the New Apostolic Church International, has been completely redesigned. A lot has happened, not only in terms of design, but also under the hood.

01 01 2021

Chief Apostle Congregation

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A church without borders or walls

Locked church doors, divine services on YouTube, mouth and nose protection at the altar: the pandemic really shook up church life in 2020. It was the year of COVID-19. Following is a chronicle of the year’s events.

28 12 2020

Africa

+13

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Buildings
• Charity work
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Local news
• Organisation
• Sacraments

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Bethlehem, the barricaded city

There is a great barrier that separates Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Although it is indeed possible to pass through its gates, visitors require a passport, and must submit to customs control. For many, however, it has become a wall of death. Bethlehem today has become a symbol of political unrest and human error.

24 12 2020

Chief Apostle

+6

• Christmas
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• History 
• Organisation

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An engineer of the Church in tune with the times

Whenever innovations were in the offing, he was front and centre—and he was never shy to apply his international perspective. In retrospect, this allowed him a special view of God’s work: District Apostle Helper John Sobottka from Canada is retiring this Sunday.

17 12 2020

Africa

+9

• Asia
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation

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Church continues a course of consolidation

The New Apostolic Church is continuing its process of consolidation: in the year 2022, the District Apostle district of Northern and Eastern Germany will merge with the District Apostle district of Berlin-Brandenburg. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made the announcement yesterday.

14 12 2020

Africa

+11

• America
• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Ministry
• Organisation

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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

Africa America

+10

• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Society

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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

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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

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