church.today

A trend that makes you sad

Each year on 20 June the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, observes World Refugee Day to honour people who have had to flee. Traditionally, it shines a light on and promotes the solidarity with refugees. The UNHCR has just issued a warning against apathy and inaction.

June 20, 2024

Charity work Chief Apostle

+3

• Children
• Congregation
• Social commitment

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On the margins of the District Apostle Meeting: reaching out

While the District Apostles and District Apostle Helpers convened for meetings at the Church’s conference centre, their spouses helped a charity initiative by painting yellow smiley faces on blue T-shirts.

June 17, 2024

Charity work

+9

• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Good Friday
• Music
• Organisation
• Social commitment
• Society
• Youth

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Apostolic in two ways

What is an Apostle? What is apostolic? And why is this important for all Christian churches? This is a question raised by a feast celebrated by Anglicans, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants on 11 June, the Feast of Barnabas.

June 10, 2024

Apostolate

+5

• Congregation
• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry

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Language is the key to people’s hearts

‌He spoke the language of faith. But he also spoke the most widely spoken language in the Philippines. Apostle Virgil Fuentes died ten years ago today. One of his works that live on is the translation of the Catechism into Cebuano.

June 6, 2024

Chief Apostle

+5

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Music

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Backstage at the District Apostles’ meeting

Manuela van Husen walks down the hotel hallway with a crowbar in her hand. She is on a special assignment. Here is a look at all that is involved in organising such a meeting––and what all can happen.

June 4, 2024

Africa

+9

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Where two or three thousand are gathered

A divine service with over 7,000 participants, a concert with around 2,000 performers, and a Church Convention that takes over an entire city. These major events continue to have an impact, whether on a small or large scale or as a catchy tune.

May 24, 2024

Acts of blessing Ascension Day

+9

• Congregation
• Denominations
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Event
• Music
• Youth

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Church leadership takes a critical look at itself

The large Regional Churches have done their homework—and received good grades. A first self-assessment is now available to the international Church leadership based on its good governance policy. What this is about and what it is good for …

May 23, 2024

Africa

+5

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Activity of the Spirit and love of neighbour

“Congregation of the Future” is the name of a European project group. One question is so fundamental that it has now been raised by the International District Apostle Meeting.

May 22, 2024

Concept of salvation for the departed

+9

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Music
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Snapshots (4): Communication booster coffee break

Anyone who works hard has earned a coffee break. But even then the mind is engaged and ideas are stirred up. Here is a somewhat different camera view of the 2024 session of the District Apostle Meeting in Switzerland.

May 18, 2024

District Apostle

+1

• Organisation

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Snapshots (3): District Apostles discuss and decide

Two days and more than a dozen items on the agenda: there is lots to do for the highest decision-making body of the New Apostolic Church, the International District Apostle Meeting. Here are pictures from the meeting.

May 17, 2024

District Apostle

+1

• Organisation

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Snapshots (1): Switzerland starts into the Pentecost festivities

“Welcome!” That was the word of the day on Wednesday as everyone arrived for this year’s Pentecost festivities in Switzerland. In the evening, the Church leaders from all over the world swarmed out into the surrounding areas to conduct divine services. Today, the District Apostle Meeting is in session. The highlight will be the Pentecost service on Sunday.

May 16, 2024

District Apostle

+3

• Divine service
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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“Your next destination is Lucerne!”

The world looks to Lucerne for its rowing regattas and festivals. This year, New Apostolic Christians look to the Pentecost festivities taking place in the city with the Chief Apostle. Although the divine service will not be broadcast outside of Europe, Pentecost will be celebrated in all congregations.

May 15, 2024

Buildings

+12

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

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Church media through changing times

“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Even today, many people are denied the opportunity to speak about their beliefs. It is important therefore to have a strong media presence. Follow us on a tour through the New Apostolic Church’s media history as we mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3th.

May 2, 2024

Africa

+7

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• History 
• Pentecost
• Youth

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Posters with Christian potential

People are already waiting for them: starting May 2024, a new series of posters will be displayed in the showcases of many of our New Apostolic churches. They will also be shared online. This time, the Church was inspired by a trend to show that there is Christian potential in everyone.

April 11, 2024

Congregation

+7

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Youth

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A new relationship

Together they were strong. But conflicts and a resulting dispute led to a split: Chief Apostle Hermann Niehaus and Apostle Carl August Brückner, who died 75 years ago today.

April 8, 2024

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Ministry
• Music

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God and image of God: the difference

How is this possible? In the Old Testament, God is angry and in the New Testament, He is love. What has changed is not His nature, but the way humankind sees Him. This is what the Chief Apostle explains in the following doctrinal text.

April 4, 2024

Chief Apostle

+4

• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Organisation

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Spotlight 7/2024: Abba, Father!

Already as a young Priest, District Apostle Woll from Canada learned that prayer affects our faith. He says that as a child of God we can share all our feelings with God, and that this strengthens our faith.

March 25, 2024

Annual motto District Apostle

+1

• Divine service

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Spotlight 6/2024: Preparing our heart to pray

Prayer is the breathing of the soul, District Apostle Enrique Eduardo Minio of South America says. In his reflections on our annual motto, he tells us what we need to do so that we can breathe freely.

March 11, 2024

America

+2

• Annual motto
• District Apostle

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Praying with the body

Why do we pray the way we pray? And isn’t it irrelevant what posture we take when we pray? Whether we pray standing, sitting, or lying down, or have our hands folded or our arms wide open—does it really matter? Well, this much is clear, sometimes a gesture or a posture is worth a thousand words.

March 7, 2024

Annual motto

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• New Year

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Manual for ministers goes online

It has been on its way since October 2023 and has just arrived everywhere. For the first time in its ninety-year history, the Guide for Ministers is being published on the official website of the New Apostolic Church, nak.org.

March 5, 2024

Chief Apostle

+9

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments
• Society
• Youth

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Decisive is what happens locally

The Divine Service Guide is looking for an editor. The job advertisement raises questions. Well, don’t Apostles write the articles? Why is this preaching aid necessary in the first place? And why is it the way it is? nac.today dug a little deeper.

February 23, 2024

Africa

+6

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry

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Questions answered, mandate fulfilled

The objectives have been achieved: the New Apostolic Church has reorganised its ecumenical responsibilities. Instead of a national or international working group, there is now a central contact for regional advisors.

February 5, 2024

Chief Apostle Denominations

+6

• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Investiture
• Local news
• Ministry
• Society

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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.

January 31, 2024

Africa

+11

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

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A new generation of leaders in the Church

The generational shift has begun at the highest levels of the New Apostolic Church: over the course of this year that is now drawing to its close, two District Apostle Helpers have been appointed as District Apostles, and a new Helper has been assigned—all according to plan.

December 26, 2023

Africa

+9

• America
• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation

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Reconciled diversity requires considerable effort

One faith, one doctrine – one church, many cultures: this was the common idea that hovered over almost every item on the agenda at the recent District Apostles’ Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.

November 30, 2023

Africa

+7

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Organisation
• Society

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What microphone cables reveal

“Prayer works!” This is our motto for 2024. In his New Year’s message, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider explains the ideas behind it. Here is a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the recording session.

November 28, 2023

Annual motto

+11

• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Music
• New Year
• 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.

January 31, 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.

January 24, 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. 

December 19, 2024

Ministry Divine service

+2

• Pastoral care
• Media

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