church.today

The sacraments (6): What matters is a matter of faith

Seven, three, or two: how many sacraments are there actually? Not even all the Christian denominations are in agreement with themselves when it comes to that question. But there is one point of intersection which all of them do acknowledge—almost all of them, that is.

30 03 2020

Baptism  Denominations

+9

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Sacraments

Listen to it

SOS: pastoral care is as varied as the people who need it

The body needs care and so does the soul. The image of the duality of man is shared by all churches. A priest is both a preacher and a shepherd. And both are legitimate. Pastoral care at a glance.

24 03 2020

Congregation

+1

• Pastoral care

Listen to it

Between dream and reality

Sixty years ago there was a man who had a dream. He fought for justice and therefore had to die. His name: Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. His dream was equality between humans. And it’s still a dream.

21 03 2020

Africa

+3

• America
• Chief Apostle
• Society

Listen to it

The sacraments (5): Valid first, then effective

Let’s suppose a Priest proves unworthy and loses his ministry: are the baptisms he has performed still valid? The question of the efficacy of the sacraments has different answers.

19 03 2020

Doctrine 

+3

• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Personal hygiene and spiritual health—both are important

A novel type of virus that can cause respiratory disease is spreading and making people everywhere anxious. It has made us take a whole new look at hygiene measures such as washing our hands. However, we must also keep our spiritual health in mind.

06 03 2020

Africa

+11

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

Listen to it

The sacraments (4): outward signs of an invisible reality

A sacrament without signum and without res? That’s impossible. At least that is what the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church says. Sounds strange? Maybe, but there are good reasons for it. Join us for an excursion into the fifth century.

05 03 2020

Doctrine  Holy Communion

+1

• Sacraments

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

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 

+4

• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

Listen to it

Back to Jesus

“We must be careful to ensure that this does not happen to us,” appealed Chief Apostle Schneider. A sermon about pitfalls that is nevertheless encouraging — and not only for ministers.

14 01 2020

Chief Apostle

+8

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Society

Listen to it

Interpreting signs — a vote of non-confidence

So the signs of the time are frightening. Which means that the return of Christ must be near, right? The Chief Apostle responds to this notion in a recent article: such attempts at interpretation are doomed to fail. Following is a summary. .

07 01 2020

Apostolate

+6

• Chief Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• History 
• Ministry
• Organisation

Listen to it

Ministry (15): Review and outlook

The year of reform to the ministerial order: that is how the year 2019 will go down in the history books of the New Apostolic Church. But there is something much more fundamental behind this. And the topic is still current. .

26 12 2019

Apostolate

+8

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Society

Listen to it

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Just give thanks again! Right before the celebration of Christmas is a good time to do so. Why? Because Jesus Christ has come into this world and has become Man. He alone (!) is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

24 12 2019

Chief Apostle

+6

• Christmas
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Pastoral care
• Social commitment
• Youth

Listen to it

When choirs travel

Usually they accompany the divine services and define their liturgical framework. Congregational choirs are an important element of New Apostolic identity. Often they perform their task at a high level of quality, and sometimes choirs even embark on journeys.

13 12 2019

Africa

+4

• Congregation
• Denominations
• Divine service
• Music

Listen to it

The 2020 poster series is now on display: “Here I am…”

Professing our faith—many of us look for suitable opportunities to do this in daily life. Some of our brothers and sisters have found an unusual method.

10 12 2019

Buildings

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Christmas
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Easter
• Europe
• Event
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

Listen to it

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.

02 12 2019

Acts of blessing

+11

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

Listen to it

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.

26 11 2019

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Denominations
• Europe
• Local news
• Society
• Youth

Listen to it

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.

19 11 2019

Chief Apostle Congregation

+7

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

Listen to it

“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.

18 11 2019

Chief Apostle

+8

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

Listen to it

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.

15 11 2019

Acts of blessing

+10

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

Listen to it

“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.

14 11 2019

Africa

+7

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

Listen to it

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.

07 11 2019

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care

Listen to it

Ministry (10): What advantages does the reform entail anyway?

It is far more than an exercise in theological principles or structural management: the reform in our concept of ministry has some very concrete benefits—for Church leadership, for the ministers, and for every individual member of the congregation.

24 10 2019

Chief Apostle Congregation

+7

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Sacraments

Listen to it

“We will work together as a team”

Kububa Soko is the new District Apostle for Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. In the interview he shares some of his experiences to date and talks about what he will be concentrating on in future.

22 10 2019

Chief Apostle

+6

• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation

Listen to it

It is only by God’s call that a person becomes a person

Is man like God or similar to God? What does it mean when we read that man was created in the image of God? Easy questions—difficult answers.

14 10 2019

Bible study

Listen to it

Not in your room …

Recognising and addressing the needs of others, praying together, and making music together to praise God—this is the weekly programme of many Christians. They are out and about to make a difference.

11 10 2019

Africa

+10

• Apostolate
• Charity work
• Congregation
• Denominations
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Local news
• Ministry
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

Listen to it

Ministry (9): Adapting ministry to the times

Can the Apostles just go ahead and do that? Are they even allowed to reorganise the ministerial structure? Not only are they allowed to do so—they must! Read on to find out why they did so in the first place, and where the limits are—ministry between the past and the future.

10 10 2019

Chief Apostle

+9

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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