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Divine services in 2017: key messages

“What does the Chief Apostle say about that?” This is a question that people often ask. Following is a review of some of the divine services celebrated by Chief Apostle Schneider in the past year.

28 12 2017

Australia / Pacific Chief Apostle

+9

• Children
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Event
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments
• Youth

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Interim update on the concept of ministry

The concept of ministry was one of the high priority topics of 2017—with a very special emphasis: the Chief Apostle himself gave an interim update on the ongoing efforts on this new doctrinal understanding. Following are some insights into the developments to date.

26 12 2017

Apostolate

+11

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Sacraments

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New Apostles and churches around the world

Without movement there is stagnation. This also applies to the structure and the organisation within the Church. New ministers and churches are constantly needed. Only then can the congregations around the world be properly cared for. Following is an overview.

22 12 2017

Advent

+7

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

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The Divine Service Guide addresses children

The thousands of teachers of the New Apostolic Church are not the only ones who have a heart for children. The Chief Apostle does too, and this is reflected in the Divine Service Guide. Starting in the new year, the guide for ministers will also provide impulses for divine services especially for children.

21 12 2017

Advent

+8

• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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The Church’s social media policy

Not sure what the Church’s position is regarding Facebook and Co.? A little unclear on how to handle the blurry boundaries between professional, private, and religious use when you post? The District Apostles have ratified The Social Media Guideline of the New Apostolic Church to provide guidance on the wise and appropriate use of social media.

20 12 2017

Chief Apostle

+3

• District Apostle
• Media
• Social commitment

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Luther 2017: a new Bible translation arrives

Martin Luther left his mark on both church theology and the German language with his translation of the Bible. A revised edition appeared on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Starting in 2019, the 2017 Luther translation will be the official German-language Bible of the New Apostolic Church.

18 12 2017

Congregation District Apostle

+3

• Divine service
• Media
• Society

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Pastoral visits: a full calendar

They travel by air, sea, or land and log mile after mile as they bump over rough terrain and potholed dirt tracks in four-wheel drives. Getting to their congregations can be exhausting for Apostles and even dangerous.

15 12 2017

Acts of blessing

+17

• Advent
• Africa
• America
• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Retirement
• Youth

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Charting the course for a joint future

The two independent District Apostle Areas in South America will merge in 2019. This announcement was recently made by the Church leaders.

11 12 2017

America

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Retirement

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New Year, new motto – Attention! You’re on

Monday, 27 November. A session of the International District Apostle Meeting has just ended, as has a meeting of the Finance Committee. By the time the Chief Apostle arrives in the recording studio it is already three o’clock in the afternoon.

07 12 2017

Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• New Year

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Our congregations around the world

On Sunday Christianity observes the first Sunday of Advent. Here are some of the different ways our brothers and sisters around the world will start off the new church year.

01 12 2017

Advent

+14

• Africa
• America
• Charity work
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Denominations
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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A look ahead: International Youth Convention 2019

The District Apostles were given a tour of the exhibition grounds where the International Youth Convention (IYC) will take place in 2019. Before the tour, the District Apostles—who had convened for their fall session—were informed about what the participants would see, hear, and do at the Youth Convention.

29 11 2017

Africa

+7

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

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The Apostle ministry

Perceivable, sensitive and understanding, able to inspire people for the Lord, and willing to serve the congregations. This is what Apostles around the world are like.

24 11 2017

Africa

+8

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Pastoral care

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District Apostle Meeting kicks off with topics relevant for Africa

The International District Apostle Meeting is in session. This is the first time since the initial resolutions concerning our concept of ministry were communicated. There are still many open questions, but this is not the only interesting subject.

23 11 2017

Africa

+15

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Media
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Sacraments
• Social commitment
• Society

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Essen is ready for the Chief Apostle

The New Apostolic Church in North-Rhine Westphalia (Germany) is comprised of 30 districts. One of the largest districts is Essen with its eleven congregations and 3,400 members. The Chief Apostle will be visiting them this coming weekend.

22 11 2017

Africa

+10

• Asia
• Buildings
• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Event
• Music
• Youth

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Congregation: everyone belongs

The international head office of the New Apostolic Church is flying the NACI flag to make its guests feel welcome. The European District Apostle Meeting has convened its fall session.

06 11 2017

Buildings

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service

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The Church cares

Doing something for the environment, comforting civil war refugees, and helping young people … The challenges that the Church faces at the global level are enormous. Following is a brief overview.

03 11 2017

Charity work

+11

• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• New Year
• Sacraments
• Social commitment
• Youth

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“We are not going to turn our Church upside down!”

The New Apostolic Church’s concept of ministry is taking shape: Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider explained some of the key points today at a divine service for ministers that was transmitted throughout Europe—and also provided an outlook on open questions.

22 10 2017

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+5

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation

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A distinction: ministry and hierarchy

The new concept of ministry has begun to have some concrete implications, a point that the Chief Apostle made clear at today’s divine service for ministers, which was transmitted throughout Europe. A Special Edition of the Divine Service Guide is now being issued. The most important points from it follow in brief.

22 10 2017

Apostolate

+12

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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IYC 2019: In search of artists and other contributions

Preliminary ideas for large events, possible accommodations, and a welcome package have already been set. Now the search is on for artists, soloists, and good ideas.

16 10 2017

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Europe
• Event
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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At home around the world: even teachers have to learn!

Nothing works without training — anyone who wants to perform well will have to practise! This even applies to teachers, for example, in Sunday School. Our news overview from around the world reports on seminars according to the “train-the-trainers” principle.

13 10 2017

Africa

+5

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Grieving
• Pastoral care
• Social commitment

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Church etiquette for photographers

Do I snap photos of every individual flower of the altar decoration with a macro lens and ring flash two minutes before the start of the divine service? Should I hide four radio-controlled flash units in the floral arrangements to create better lighting for the altar space? – What works and what doesn’t?

11 10 2017

Asia

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Media
• Music
• Sacraments

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Youth convention on a large scale

How far has the organisation of the International Youth Convention 2019 progressed? No one is better informed than Apostle Franz-Wilhelm Otten. He was already involved with the European Youth Day 2009 and is involved this time too.

28 08 2017

Africa Chief Apostle

+11

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Society
• Youth

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A new Afrikaans hymnal

It is being talked about on TV. Congregations are practising. And next weekend there will be simultaneous concerts—all in an effort to launch the new Afrikaans Hymnal.

26 08 2017

Africa

+4

• Children
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Music

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The centenary of the communion wafer — More than mere confirmation

In the one hundred years since its introduction the communion wafer has hardly changed. There have, however, been changes in the understanding of Holy Communion in the New Apostolic Church, particularly in its relationship to forgiveness of sins.

27 07 2017

Apostolate

+6

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

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At home worldwide: The young generation plays a leading role

Children are a blessing in a congregation and the youth are the future of the Church. Because we are aware of this many people are engaged in working to develop young talent—from the Sunday School teachers in the congregations to the Chief Apostle. Examples from four continents.

21 07 2017

Africa

+9

• America
• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Event
• Youth

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His trademark: a way with people

He makes no fuss about his person. So why bother with an article on his seventieth birthday today? Because he was Chief Apostle? And because he carried out this ministry in a very special way? And because he is a very special person who enjoys being with people and who brings people together. We are talking about Wilhelm Leber.

20 07 2017

Chief Apostle

+8

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Event
• History 
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Youth

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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

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+10

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