faith.today

Pastoral care (19): Confidentiality creates trust

The Latin term sub rosa—literally meaning “under the rose”—signifies that any content discussed remains under the seal of secrecy. Often these words are found carved into confessionals. They are intended to convey the idea of confidentiality.

December 20, 2021

Congregation Divine service

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• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (47): Conveying the Spirit

It happened in 1840/41: the apostle unity fell apart and so did the masterplan. The charismatic movement had to reinvent itself as a church. Here is the background to sealing in the Catholic Apostolic Church.

December 9, 2021

Apostolate

+8

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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Tribute to a trailblazing pioneer

He was born in Wetzlar, Germany, and died in Riverleigh, Australia. A widely travelled and very interesting man would have celebrated his 150th birthday these days. As one of the pioneering Apostles of the New Apostolic Church in Australia, Jakob Dietz had a great impact.

December 9, 2021

Australia / Pacific

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• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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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.

December 7, 2021

Acts of blessing

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

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Spotlight 19/2021: Double future, double hope

Future can mean the next minute, the next year, or even eternity. This is also true for the future in Christ. District Apostle Peter Schulte from Australia points out similarities and differences.

December 6, 2021

Annual motto

+4

• Australia / Pacific
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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The kingdom of peace explained

Recently, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider engaged as a “futurologist” and brought the kingdom of peace “down from its pedestal”, as one of the assisting ministers put it, and “back into our reality”.

December 1, 2021

Chief Apostle Concept of salvation for the departed

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• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (18): Personal responsibility and its many misconceptions

Human beings can choose what to do and what not to do. We are not free to decide, however, whether we sin by our decision and thus incur a debt before God. Personal responsibility also means being willing to bear the consequences of our actions.

November 30, 2021

Chief Apostle

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• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Society

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The sacraments (46): The other two-part division

The Catholic practice of confirmation as a sacrament was only accorded a few quiet centuries. But then the reformers came along and sought to anchor the Christian rite of initiation in the act of baptism alone—and nevertheless instituted their own practice of confirmation in the process.

November 25, 2021

Acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments
• Youth

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“We are doing things at our own pace”

The fall session of the District Apostle Meeting has ended. Prominent topics were our concept of ministry, biblical authorship issues, and a new Guide for Ministers.

November 22, 2021

Apostolate

+12

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Society

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First news item on day one

Zero tolerance. This is the stance taken by the New Apostolic Church towards sexual abuse and assault. And this is what Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made clear at the conference of the District Apostles in Zurich, Switzerland.

November 18, 2021

Africa

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Society

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The weekly update

Changing YouTube channels and upcoming services on Sunday … here is this week’s update on the central video services offered by the New Apostolic Church.

November 12, 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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Weak humans do powerful works!

Let’s not always look at the numbers, admonishes Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider. What is matter of course for modern humans is unsuitable for spreading the gospel. God will complete His church through imperfect human beings.

November 10, 2021

Chief Apostle

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• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Europe
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (45): One baptism, two sacraments

The rebirth out of water and Spirit: what began as a rite in two parts developed into two independent sacraments. The catalyst was the overwhelming success of Christendom.

November 8, 2021

Acts of blessing

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• Baptism 
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Sealing
• Sacraments

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All that really matters is love

Do not marginalise or pass judgement, but look at the soul, the Chief Apostle urged recently. Reality, however, is sometimes different. This is Sandra’s experience. Her problem: who she loves and how others feel about it.

October 26, 2021

Africa

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• America
• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Europe
• Pastoral care
• Society

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Spotlight 18/2021: We are a future-oriented people

Seasons change life cycles in nature. And also in our own everyday life we experience changing phases of cold and warm, darkness and light. How good it is that Jesus Christ accompanies us on our way. Thoughts from District Apostle Helper Frank Dzur (Canada).

October 25, 2021

Annual motto

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• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Grieving
• Pastoral care

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Around the world and round the clock

Who knows what will happen the day after tomorrow? The pandemic has shaken up many plans. One thing, however, is sure and that is the possibility of joining online services again on Sunday.

October 22, 2021

Chief Apostle

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• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (17): Doctrinal developments—a problem area?

Always so many changes! There is hardly any other church that has developed so far in such a short time. For many, the reaction to this is: “I can’t even recognise my own Church any more!” And yet others are happy about the changes. How are we to deal with this?

October 21, 2021

Apostolate Chief Apostle

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• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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Combining forces to spread the word of God

Bringing the word of God to the people? That goes beyond the altar too. But at times the two go hand in hand—like in Uzbekistan, where a New Apostolic Priest is currently directing the affairs of the national Bible society.

October 19, 2021

Asia

+5

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Pastoral care
• Society

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The sacraments (44): The second part of baptism

How does the believer receive the Holy Spirit? The Bible remains ambiguous and leaves quite a few gaps with respect to this question. Answers begin to develop of the early church. And this foundation stands to this day.

October 18, 2021

Apostolate

+9

• Baptism 
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Bringing glory to God with choirs and recorders

People already made music in biblical times. King David had 4,000 people play musical instruments to the glory of God. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn at the Last Supper. And in order to ensure that music remains a firm component of our faith life, it is encouraged and supported all around the world.

October 15, 2021

Charity work

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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Proven a million times over

Divine service broadcasts are part of the Church’s past and its present. Following is this Sunday’s streaming offer.

October 15, 2021

Chief Apostle

+7

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Organ music is an expression of what lives within

Holger Hantke (70) worked as a composer in the creation of a number of sheet music collections for the New Apostolic Church. Born in Lübeck and today a resident of Hamburg, he talks about his life and what he thinks of New Apostolic music.

October 11, 2021

Children Christmas

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• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music
• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (43): More than one baptism?

This much is clear: baptism with water and the imparting of the gift of the Holy Spirit are closely linked. But how? Concerning this, the New Testament provides several answers at once. And they do not always fit together.

October 7, 2021

Baptism 

+4

• Doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Pentecost
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (16): When belief in signs leads astray

“Belief in miracles is a sign of lacking humbleness,” saysChief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider. After all, man is not greater than God, and thus cannot prescribe to Him what He should do or when He should do it! A pretty clear statement, isn’t it?

September 27, 2021

Chief Apostle

+3

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Pastoral care

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The weekly update

Changing YouTube channels and upcoming services … here is this week’s update on the central video services offered by the New Apostolic Church.

September 24, 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Sacraments

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Spotlight 16/2021: Hope is the friend of faith

Twelve eggs for a month’s worth of wages! Unbelievable and yet bitter reality. The only thing that can help in circumstances such as these is hope for a better future. District Apostle Helper John Fendt (USA) reports on his work.

September 23, 2021

Annual motto

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• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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don't miss

Why Jesus continues to make people feel uncomfortable

When a mission becomes a brand and faith becomes a success story, you lose sight of the cross. But Jesus reminds us in an unnerving kind of way that love is not measured by how many people have been exposed to it, but by true discipleship.

November 4, 2025

Good Friday Bible study

+1

• Society

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New creation rather than calling it a day

What will become of me when God makes all things new? The Ninth Article of Faith speaks of a future in which God will dwell among people—and that wounded histories will not simply be erased but healed.

November 17, 2025

Doctrine  Bible study

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Believing passionately

Easter is coming up … and the divine services in March point the way there. There will be talk about mercy and solidarity, fellowship and the rule of God, and examples and precursors. Here is a glimpse at the Passiontide.

February 29, 2024

Palm Sunday Good Friday

+7

• Easter
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments
• Holy Communion
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Divine service
• Congregation

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Is God’s plan good for us?

God is not there to make life difficult for us. On the contrary, He does more good for us than we realise—sometimes even through trials. Are you wondering how this can work? The Chief Apostle recently shed some light on this question.

March 19, 2025

Chief Apostle Divine service

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• Africa

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