church.today

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 Congregation

+5

• 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

+12

• Chief Apostle
• 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 Congregation

+5

• 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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Church merger running smoothly

The merger of two neighbouring District Churches in Germany is approaching fast. The name of the new entity has been selected, its statutes have received initial approval, and the administrative offices are being restructured—and there is even a new date for the actual merger.

11 07 2017

Africa

+7

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

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The world needs new ideas

The Catechism in Indonesian, a new District Church in Germany, a new church in Berlin, a new well in Ghana … These are the topics in this week’s review.

07 07 2017

Africa

+8

• Asia
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Retirement
• Social commitment

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Megacity New York: home for people from all over the world

New York City is known for its diversity. As the gate to the New World the city has welcomed immigrants from all over the world for decades. It has become the home for people of many different cultures, languages, backgrounds, and traditions.

22 06 2017

Africa

+7

• America
• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Organisation
• Youth

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Black on white: our concept of ministry is unfolding

The concept of ministry of the New Apostolic Church is becoming more and more concrete. This is reflected in the publication which the ministers of the Church around the world will be receiving over the next few days. This is not a revolution, but certainly an evolution.

21 06 2017

Apostolate

+12

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

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“Teach the children and inspire them!”

An appeal of a special kind: Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider is constantly striving to keep an eye on the younger generation of the Church. This was not only part of his Pentecost sermon in Vienna, but also applies to the teaching materials that will be used in the various levels of Church instruction.

15 06 2017

Acts of blessing

+10

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Media
• Music
• Society

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nacmaps – Finding congregations instead of looking for them

How do you get to church on a Sunday morning without any hassles and on time? We have just the thing for you—even if you have never been to the congregation before.

13 06 2017

Congregation

+3

• Divine service
• Media
• Organisation

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Powering through the Catechism in 75 Saturdays

For many months, young people in Lubumbashi (DR Congo) have been coming together every Saturday to study the Catechism using their smartphones, laptops, and the book.

12 06 2017

Africa

+3

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Youth

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Sam, the Chief Apostle’s interpreter for English

He wowed the audience. “Fantastic interpretation” is what people said in the congregations and on the social networks. And always the same question: who is this guy who worked so hard during the Pentecost service?

08 06 2017

Chief Apostle

+6

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

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Snapshots (2): Church leaders at work

Working with heart, soul, and mind: discussions by the District Apostle Meeting were on the agenda for day two and three of the 2017 Pentecost council in Austria.

02 06 2017

District Apostle Doctrine 

+2

• Investiture
• Ministry

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Our conception of ministry goes into the next round

For the first time this year, the District Apostles and their assistants will meet for a conference. This time, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider has invited them to Vienna (Austria). The focus will be on the New Apostolic conception of ministry.

01 06 2017

Apostolate

+10

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Snapshots (1): Welcome to Vienna

The 2017 Pentecost meeting has started. Yesterday, Wednesday, was devoted to welcoming the arrivals. Today the District Apostles will meet and immediately get down to work. Here is the first set of pictures from Vienna (Austria).

01 06 2017

District Apostle

+1

• Pentecost

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Milestones in the making

Pentecost in Vienna has what it takes to create milestones. So also in 1990, a year that went down in New Apostolic history. Besides being the first international conference of Apostles it was also the first international transmission of a Pentecost service. Follow us on a journey through time.

31 05 2017

Buildings

+12

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Media
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Social commitment

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At home around the world: sacristy, conference centre, and hotel

The places where ministers sanctify themselves, have discussions, and engage in training can be very different. And it is definitely not always on a Sunday that they get together.

12 05 2017

Africa

+10

• America
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care

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A journey through the liturgical year

The liturgical year is an annual cycle of feasts that focus on Christmas and Easter. The New Apostolic Church also follows the liturgical year. What is this exactly?

26 04 2017

Advent Africa

+19

• America
• Ascension Day
• Asia
• Christmas
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Good Friday
• Grieving
• History 
• Holy Communion
• New Year
• Palm Sunday
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Thanksgiving Day

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The future of the Church is … little!

Councils, meetings, events—one Church event chases another. And much of that which is essential and important is often inconspicuous and maybe not even at eye-level.

22 04 2017

Congregation

+1

• Divine service

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Easter: What we see and understand is—by far not—all there is!

“Easter? That means no school!” says little Laura. Mind you, she also knows that Easter is more than a holiday, but also a high feast of the church. It is the day when Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead.

16 04 2017

Divine service

+2

• Easter
• History 

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Good Friday: a declaration of love by God

God aspires to the indestructible fellowship with mankind. To do so, He pursues many paths: even the one of the cross. No obligation, no constraint: God loves first, and His love is boundless.

13 04 2017

Good Friday

+1

• History 

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The communion wafer celebrates its centenary

Three drops are celebrating their centenary. On Good Friday 1917, the Chief Apostle officially celebrated his first divine service without sharing the cup. Instead he dispensed communion wafers. What is normal today had become an absolute necessity at the time. Why?

13 04 2017

Anniversary

+8

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Good Friday
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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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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