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Divine Service Guide writers’ workshop

The publication with the largest circulation in the New Apostolic Church is tiny in comparison. Printed, it is leaflet size. Several languages also produce a yearbook version. We are talking about the Divine Service Guide. ‌The authors recently met so that the publication can continue to be created.

August 5, 2024

Apostolate Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service

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The “Chief”—way ahead of his time

The Church’s own health insurance, a football league of congregational teams, and a working area that spanned half the globe: today we celebrate the 130th birthday of Heinrich Franz Schlaphoff—an Apostle unlike any other.

August 2, 2024

Africa

+9

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Youth

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Apostle ministry: the decision

Why do we need the Apostle ministry today? Where does it come from? And where does it take us? Such questions were asked and answered in a panel discussion at the 2019 International Youth Convention. Here is part 1 of the new video series.

July 20, 2024

Apostolate

+2

• Doctrine 
• Ministry

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Ways to shape the Church

If is often said that young people are the future of the Church. Yet not only they but everyone can contribute to the future of our Church. Whether with ideas, with a ministerial mandate, or with a smile to create a congregation in which everyone feels welcome.

July 19, 2024

Africa

+7

• Apostolate
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Ministry
• Youth

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More than just numbers

With over 1.7 million Swiss francs you can do a lot of good, such as putting a smile on someone’s face, creating social inclusion, or providing help in times of great need. In 2023 too, NAK-Humanitas, the charity of the New Apostolic Church Switzerland, once again used the donated funds in the spirit of Christian charity.

July 18, 2024

Apostolate

+7

• Charity work
• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Social commitment
• Society
• Youth

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In the picture (1): Testifying with the camera

To share means to communicate. Photos do not just preserve memories. They can also picture and testify of faith. But, please, no cameras in divine services! But why not? Maybe we should have them, but then with the corresponding know-how. Here is the first article of a series.

July 15, 2024

Media Ministry

+1

• Sacraments

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End of shift for a true companion

At first he seems aloof and almost a little gruff. But his heart is huge, and even bigger than he is. This weekend will see the retirement of a remarkable man, and not just from a physical point of view: District Apostle Rainer Storck.

June 21, 2024

Chief Apostle

+10

• Children
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Profile

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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

+4

• Chief Apostle
• 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

+10

• Ascension Day
• 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 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 Congregation

+5

• 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

+2

• District Apostle
• 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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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

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.

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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