church.today

The international leadership of the New Apostolic Church is meeting again at the end of this week in Zurich: how does such a District Apostle Meeting proceed? Who is in attendance? What will be discussed?

Tomorrow, 8 March, is International Women's Day – a celebration that has its roots in the battle for equal rights. Women in the New Apostolic Church cannot exercise a ministry, but they do perform invaluable pastoral work. How does that fit together?

Have you fallen ill? Have you stumbled upon the wrong person in your search for healing? Has the one who can help you asked something unexpected of you? Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider breaks down a biblical account that has a great deal to tell us in the here and now.

After 34 years in ministry, the longest serving Apostle currently in ministry will take his retirement: Rudolf Kainz—a man of humbleness as well as clear words, filled with vision and initiative, but above all, well-practised in the love of Jesus—will be discharged from active ministry on 15 March in Schaffhausen.

Communicating in timely fashion, quickly and globally—that is what Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider hopes to achieve. Last year, the District Apostle Meeting ratified a corresponding media concept. And part of this newly structured media bond that spans the globe is a magazine called “community”.

The New Apostolic Church in Angola is growing. It was time to take another step. Since last Sunday, the country has its own District Apostle Helper: João Uanuque Misselo.

“At home worldwide” is the motto set out in the logo of nac.today. This is also the title of our weekly overview, in which we look at the happenings among our brothers and sisters around the world.

The Statement of Reconciliation between the New Apostolic Church and the Apostolic Community (Apostolische Gemeinschaft) in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany is more than an interdenominational act. This was made clear by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider. The idea of reconciliation is something that should concern all brothers and sisters.

Zurich. nac.today – that’s the name of the brand new news magazine which is going online at the start of 2015. With this magazine the New Apostolic Church International (NACI) is increasing its web presence, providing even more information. At the same time the church’s Apps will be updated, as will NACI’s official website, nak.org, in the spring of 2015.

Zurich. The composition of the Coordination Group (CG) of the New Apostolic Church has changed. District Apostle Rüdiger Krause (NA Northern Germany) and District Apostle Rainer Storck (NAC North Rhine-Westphalia) are the newest members in this important body.

Berlin/Zurich. Another sunny day in Berlin begins. All 28 participants of the International District Apostle Meeting have arrived, namely the Chief Apostle as sponsor and chairman, along with nineteen District Apostles and eight District Apostle Helpers.

Gifhorn/Zurich. The New Apostolic Church in Central Germany and Northern Germany will grow into a new District Apostle district in 2016. This was the news that the incumbent Central German District Apostle Wilfried Klingler shared with the congregation of Gifhorn, from where last Sunday’s Thanksgiving service was transmitted throughout the entire District Apostle district by satellite.

Munich/Zurich. Ecumenism – not a controversial topic for New Apostolic Christians after all? That was certainly the impression that emerged during an important panel discussion at the International Church Convention in Munich on the subject of the one-year anniversary of the New Apostolic Catechism.

Zurich. The first District Apostle Meeting of this year initiated several projects. Among others, the District Apostles resolved to create a new Finance Committee (we reported). It is to aid in bringing about greater transparency for the financial resources expended by the Church in order that the responsibilities for significant operations in the Church can be governed in accordance with the best available knowledge and practices.

Zurich. Changes will soon be coming to the structure of midweek divine services in the New Apostolic congregations of the USA. The usual midweek service with its celebration of Holy Communion will in future only take place once each month. District Apostle Leonard Kolb plans to supplement this with non-sacramental divine services, home devotionals, Bible studies, Catechism instruction, musical evenings, and discussion evenings. Concerning this Chief Apostle states: “I really welcome this proposal, as the circumstances of the Church in the USA cannot be compared to those in Europe.”

Rome. Pope Francis regularly receives many believers for general audiences in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Recently a Priest from Argentina took this opportunity to hand him a Spanish edition of the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church. Concerning this, Argentine District Apostle Norberto Passuni writes: “It is advantageous for us as Argentines that the Pope comes from our country.”