church.today

Ministry (16): Interwoven with its bearer

It is quite obvious that a ministry requires a bearer. Otherwise it would remain invisible and incapable of action. But what demands does it place on the person in question? And how are the ministry and the minister interconnected?

15 06 2022

Baptism  Congregation

+5

• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The Church nails its colours to the mast

One earth, many people; one Christianity, many denominations; one congregation, many hands. There are many ways to foster fellowship and in the process profess one's beliefs, whether in cleaning up the environment, ecumenism, or putting women in the spotlight.

10 06 2022

Africa

+9

• Charity work
• Congregation
• Denominations
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Music
• Palm Sunday
• Pentecost

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The sacraments (56): The rise of Christ’s descent into hell

God wants to help all human beings, both the living and the dead. This conviction can already be found among the earliest Christians and is confirmed by the biblical motif of Christ’s descent into the realm of the dead—and corroborates the New Apostolic concept of the departed.

09 06 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+7

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Good Friday
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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What the District Apostles talk about

The International District Apostle Meeting in Buenos Aires ended today, two years later than planned. The agenda included a wide variety of topics. Here is an overview.

04 06 2022

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Decision-makers at work

Close on two days of hard work. Yesterday and today, the central governing board of the New Apostolic Church, the International District Apostle Meeting, met for discussions. A report on the topics discussed will follow. Here is a look behind the scenes from the photographer’s perspective.

04 06 2022

District Apostle

+1

• Organisation

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District Apostles meet starting today

Everything is ready: the preparations in the conference room were completed yesterday. Today the International District Apostle Meeting will convene here. Discussions will be conducted primarily in English, but also in Spanish and German.

02 06 2022

District Apostle Organisation

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Pentecost 2022 in Buenos Aires

Politically, economically, culturally, and ecclesiastically: the heart of Argentina beats in Buenos Aires. This is where the leaders of the New Apostolic Regional Churches from all over the world will be meeting for their Pentecost Council starting today.

01 06 2022

Africa

+13

• America
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Event
• Investiture
• Local news
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost

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Heaven is where Christ is

The descent into Hades and the ascension into heaven—both events are recorded in Holy Scripture. And both events have stirred up theological controversy to this day. Unfortunately, neither of them is well understood—and yet their significance is clear!

26 05 2022

Ascension Day

+4

• Chief Apostle
• Easter
• History 
• Pentecost

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Authoritative portrayal of our concept of ministry

“The New Apostolic understanding of the spiritual ministry” is the title of the newest special edition of the Divine Service Guide, which is now making its way to the ministers. A reference work also for future questions.

25 05 2022

Apostolate

+8

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

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Retirement after exactly 45 years

There are times when life presents one with some astonishing coincidences: this Sunday, 22 May 2022, District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny will retire from active ministry. It was on exactly the same day 45 years before that he received his first ministry in the Church.

20 05 2022

Chief Apostle

+11

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Ministry
• Music
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Retirement

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The sacraments (55): God’s boundless love

There are three pillars that support the New Apostolic Church’s understanding of salvation for the departed. The first one is the answer to the question: “What does God desire?” — The Bible has a great deal to say on that subject, namely that all human beings are to be saved.

10 05 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+3

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Sacraments

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Walking the path together

It began with positive steps towards one another that developed into a common path forward. Much has happened since the ecumenical work of the New Apostolic Church started 22 years ago. One of the initiators who has done a lot of work in this area has now stepped down.

02 05 2022

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• Denominations
• District Apostle
• Europe
• Music

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The Sacraments (54): The chances in the hereafter

Sacraments for the departed? That only makes sense if people can still change in death. Judging by the teachings of their church, the majority of Christians believe in a chance in the afterlife. But there are big differences between the churches.

26 04 2022

Concept of salvation for the departed

+3

• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (53): On the way to immortality

Sacraments for the dead? It would be unthinkable without the immortality of the soul. Yet this notion is only beginning to evolve in the Bible. Here is how today’s understanding of an afterlife came into being.

12 04 2022

Asia

+3

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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Connecting the youth

It was to be specifically for young people. That was the idea that District Apostle Norberto Batista announced in 2007 when he decided to launch a magazine for his working area. And it is still produced for the youth, every month anew.

11 04 2022

Acts of blessing

+8

• America
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Youth

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“Every human being is loved by God”

To live or let die? No one takes a decision of such gravity lightly, especially when it comes to unborn life. Here is the New Apostolic Church’s position on abortion.

06 04 2022

Pastoral care

+1

• Society

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The sacraments (52): Not only here, but also in the beyond!

The dead are not truly dead—at least not for God. For God there is no dividing line between life on earth and life in the hereafter. That is what Christians believe, and that is also what the Bible states. Here is an overview of how sacramental acts are dispensed for the dead.

28 03 2022

Apostolate Chief Apostle

+8

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (51): Two handfuls of spiritual gifts

Sealing is a sacrament with a history. And its roots can be traced back to the early Christian centuries. Here is an overview of the ten articles in our series on this topic and a look ahead on what is up next.

15 03 2022

Acts of blessing

+10

• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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God’s love, Jesus’ truth, our service

The love of God is boundless. Jesus helps us identify evil and trust in what is truly good. And all believers are called to help along in achieving His great goal. Following is an overview of the core messages of the divine services in March.

28 02 2022

Congregation

+2

• Divine service
• Easter

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The indomitable power of good

This is material for a Hollywood film. In the caves outside of the city, demons were wreaking havoc. The people were afraid. But Jesus acted and drove out the devil, albeit differently than many thought.

24 02 2022

Divine service

+4

• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments
• Society

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The sacraments (50): Baptism in two parts

When asked how a Christian receives the Holy Spirit, the New Apostolic Church’s answer to the question is: through Holy Sealing. Our sacramental understanding and its points of reference in the Bible and in church history are detailed below.

15 02 2022

Apostolate

+9

• Baptism 
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Changes among the Apostles (2/2021)

Did you know that District Apostles are also authorised to ordain Apostles? This has always been the case, but in the year 2021 many District Apostles had to actually make use of this authority because the Chief Apostle was prevented from travelling as a result of the pandemic.

31 01 2022

Africa America

+13

• Apostolate
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Retirement

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What lesson do you take from this?

“Thank you for being there! I have no idea what is going to happen in the future, but I do know one thing: God is faithful! He will be with us. Do not fear.” It was with these words that the Chief Apostle concluded a remarkable divine service in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

25 01 2022

America

+10

• Annual motto
• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments
• Society

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The sacraments (48): The double Spirit

From a spontaneous flash of inspiration to the regulating apostolic hand: this is how the Catholic Apostolic Church developed its sealing. The theological foundation only developed over time—and not always uniformly.

20 01 2022

Apostolate

+4

• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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2021: Ministry, women, and the Bible

Now that we’ve covered the question of what, it’s time to tackle the question of who: expanding on our understanding of the concept of ministry was also high on the Church’s list of things to do in 2021. And some initial answers have indeed been found since, along with a detailed roadmap for the rest of the journey.

29 12 2021

Apostolate

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Event
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pentecost
• Society

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Believe, love, and remain focused

What exactly is the mission of the Apostles? Not only did the District Apostle Meeting discuss this question, but the Chief Apostle devoted an entire service to it. For in the answer lies the principal commission given to all believers.

07 12 2021

Acts of blessing

+9

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• 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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