faith.today

Pastoral care (11): Confession and the quest for relief from guilt

Confession is a touchy subject. It is a highly sensitive and personal matter and often involves unresolved guilt. It is a difficult subject for all concerned.

April 15, 2021

Congregation Divine service

+4

• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (31): The sequence according to the menu

It all began as a simple table prayer and developed into a rich culture incorporating many different forms of expression. We’re talking, of course, about the celebration of Holy Communion. Where did it come from and where will it lead? Here are some similarities and differences.

April 7, 2021

Ascension Day

+5

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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At what point does the body separate from the soul?

Whether it has to do with organ donation, euthanasia, or measures to prolong life, modern medicine repeatedly confronts us with existential decisions. Following is an orientation guide from the point of view of the New Apostolic faith.

April 6, 2021

Pastoral care

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Women—the key witnesses at the empty tomb

It is a puzzling case indeed. A corpse is missing. But every last clue has long since crumbled to dust. There are the witness statements, of course. But even some of these are pretty confused. What does it all mean?

April 3, 2021

Grieving

+1

• Pastoral care

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Images of women throughout the ages

Woman and man—created equally in the image of God? The question of who, or what, women represent has always been defined by men over the centuries. Only in the modern age has this image begun to shift closer to the original intent of creation. Some excerpts from history will illustrate.

March 30, 2021

Doctrine 

+3

• Europe
• History 
• Sacraments

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Spotlight 4/2021: I choose Christ today, for my future

Spoiled for choice… Sometimes, being able to choose between two alternatives is not easy, especially when it comes to our future. District Apostle Mark Woll of Canada has very clear ideas about this.

March 29, 2021

Annual motto Congregation

+4

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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The weekly update

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

March 26, 2021

Chief Apostle

+7

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

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Women in the early church

Woman and man—created equally in the image of God? There is no shortage of evidence supporting that women were active participants in the early church. The question, however, is what these facts have to say about the role of women in the church.

March 25, 2021

Congregation

+8

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments
• Society

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The sacraments (30): Communion under both species

Communion during COVID: it would be a non-starter if we all shared the same wine chalice. So how can the sacrament nevertheless be celebrated “under both species”—that is, with both bread and wine? For an answer, we turn to history—namely that of the New Apostolic Church!

March 23, 2021

Acts of blessing

+8

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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God helps when we have to sail against the wind

There are days when we turn on the spot and simply make no progress. “Don’t worry,” Chief Apostle Schneider says and explains how God helps even when we seem to get nowhere.

March 17, 2021

Chief Apostle

+8

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

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Father, doer, and caring minister

His death was a shock for his small flock in Europe and his big flock in Africa. District Apostle Higelin passed away 25 years ago to the day. He was a man of action and a father figure of a unique build.

March 16, 2021

Africa

+12

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Grieving
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Profile

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The life of women in the Old Testament

Woman and man— created equal in the image of God? The Old Testament tells us about female rulers and slaves, about female prophets and prostitutes. They were often unnamed, but there are a few exceptions. Here is a close-up of four women from the lineage of Jesus.

March 10, 2021

Grieving

+1

• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (29): The clash over the cup

There is to be bread and wine at Holy Communion. Jesus said so. But what about children, people with allergies, and alcoholics? Will one of the two elements do the job just as well? Church history provides some answers.

March 9, 2021

Congregation

+4

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Tribute to a US pioneer

J. P. is short for John Peter, and the name Fendt has gone down in American Church history. Today John Peter Fendt would have celebrated his 125th birthday. Here is a portrait in tribute of a pioneer.

March 3, 2021

America

+11

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Retirement

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“Do you still remember why I had to suffer?”

Lent and Passiontide… It can feel like pain and sorrow. Compassion is what is called for! At the same time, however, it becomes clear that Christians must never forget why their Saviour Jesus Christ had to suffer: it was for them!

March 1, 2021

Concept of salvation for the departed

+9

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Grieving
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Palm Sunday
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments

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Preparation for the service for the departed

God loves all human beings and God wants to save every single one. So what does He need believers for? A divine service packed with Christian basics, a little poetry, and above all pure joy.

February 26, 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (28): What the churches are serving with supper

Red wine, white wine, grape juice? Pure or mixed with water? As with the bread, Christendom has also come up with a multitude of variants for the second element of the Lord’s Supper. And each has its reasoning—sometimes based on theology, sometimes based on more worldly factors.

February 25, 2021

Congregation Doctrine 

+4

• Europe
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (10): Aging with dignity and how to succeed at it

Once the pinnacle is reached, everything begins to go downhill. At least that is the picture society throws at us all the time. Callous public advertising is constantly telling us that everything has an expiration date. Thank God that our ministers see things differently. It is not one’s age, but rather one’s essence, that defines a person.

February 23, 2021

Congregation

+4

• Doctrine 
• Pastoral care
• Seniors
• Society

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Life in the crisis

The generosity of New Apostolic members from the District Church of Western Germany has made it possible to provide much needed relief to people in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Now the local congregation is expressing warm thanks for the donations.

February 22, 2021

Christmas

+3

• Congregation
• Local news
• Pastoral care

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God is only too glad to respond to our supplications

Impudent, brazen, pushy: a few key words to describe the protagonists in the parables of Jesus on the subject of “prayer”. And these adjectives are not necessarily inconsistent with humbleness and the fear of God! A friend, a father, and a judge bear witness.

February 16, 2021

Bible study

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The sacraments (27): Definitely something to chew on…

Are you serious, Leonardo? Dinner rolls? The bread on the menu of Da Vinci's famous painting of Jesus’ Last Supper does not quite correspond to the historical reality. And the whole question of what kind of bread was served at the Last Supper is already tricky enough. Nevertheless, let us attempt a foray…

February 9, 2021

Denominations

+5

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Music sets the mood

There is hardly anything else that can unleash as much power as live music. But what if a person can no longer participate in concerts and performances due to high age? Anette Zanker-Belz has a solution: musical house calls.

February 8, 2021

Congregation Divine service

+8

• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Profile
• Seniors
• Youth

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Across congregational boundaries

Most of our congregational life has moved online because of the pandemic. This also includes divine services that are being offered in live webcasts globally. Here is the updated overview for Sunday.

February 5, 2021

Acts of blessing

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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A missionary with roots firmly planted at home

Fifty years ago to the day he was ordained as a District Apostle. At that time Zimbabwe was still called Rhodesia. He was also responsible for Zambia and Malawi: Andrew James Fernandes was born in Cape Town in South Africa and became an international traveler in Africa.

February 2, 2021

Africa

+12

• Apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• History 
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Pastoral care
• Profile

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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.

January 29, 2021

Chief Apostle

+6

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

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Good relationships for our inner life

Finding the right connection with God and our neighbour and taking care of God’s creation. This was the counsel in a recent service by the Chief Apostle. The emphasis is on networking, motivation, and comfort.

January 27, 2021

Africa

+9

• America
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• 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

+1

• Africa

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