faith.today

Pastoral care must be learned

Expert skills are not imparted by ordination or appointment—these are things that must first be learned. Nevertheless, the Church strives to support and guide its ministers and teachers in their endeavours. In some ways, the various District Churches pursue this task in similar ways, but sometimes they take quite a different approach

22 08 2020

Africa America

+14

• Asia
• Buildings
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Grieving
• Investiture
• Local news
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Sacraments
• Social commitment
• Youth

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One faith, one church

Who or what is the New Apostolic Church? In any case, it is more than just one individual church. In fact, legally speaking, it is an association of independent churches. What makes it a global entity?

21 08 2020

Advent

+14

• Africa
• Apostolate
• Asia
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Youth

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The danger of being scattered

Being a Christian means trials, distress, and hardship, the Chief Apostle stated in a recent divine service. But believers don’t have to fear, for the Son of God will help them, just as the Father helped Him.

19 08 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (16): the road into the baptismal community

Acknowledging the baptisms of other denominations is not as simple as it sounds, and the journey there has had its ups and downs in church history. A number of things had to be set into motion before the New Apostolic Church was in a position to acknowledge the baptisms of other Christian denominations.

17 08 2020

Baptism 

+10

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Denominations
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Ministry
• Organisation
• Sacraments

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New: online services in Lithuania

The range of online services has been expanded. The Church in Lithuania is now also broadcasting services on YouTube on Sundays.

14 08 2020

Chief Apostle

+3

• Congregation
• Divine service
• Pastoral care

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Online services on all continents

Here is this weekend’s helpline for those who cannot go to church. Video services will again be offered in all countries and in many languages.

07 08 2020

Chief Apostle Congregation

+5

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

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The sacraments (15): The travels of baptism

Naturally baptism belongs inside the church—doesn’t it? Not necessarily: the sacrament has spent a good part of its history just outside the church doors, or in other spaces altogether. This is the story of how baptism made its long journey into the church, only to slip back outside again briefly, and finally end up back inside.

04 08 2020

Buildings

+6

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

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Christians proclaim Christ

What was the lifeworld of the early Christian congregations like? And how can it be compared to our own today? Acts 2: 42 gives us a good idea. This is where the core values of the gospel are listed in a single sentence. These will be explored in the sermons in the New Apostolic divine services in the month of August.

30 07 2020

Congregation

+3

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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A treasure that makes truly rich

Last year in late autumn, the Chief Apostle visited New Apostolic congregations in Malaysia and Myanmar. His travel itinerary included two ministers’ meetings, a meeting with the Apostles of South-East Asia, two concerts, and three divine services.

29 07 2020

Asia

+6

• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Music
• Sacraments

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Pastoral care (04): first me, then my neighbour

Strength lies in calm—this is something mankind has always known. Every now and then, even ministers need a deliberate rest and an open ear.

23 07 2020

Doctrine 

+2

• Ministry
• Pastoral care

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Grace leads into the kingdom of God

God grants grace to those who believe in Jesus Christ, trust Him, and love Him. It was with this statement that the Chief Apostle summarised his sermon. And he made it clear what faith and trust really mean.

22 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The sacraments (14): Somewhere between immersion and sprinkling

Water is life. And baptism is new life. But how much water does baptism require? And how is one supposed to perform the act anyway? Theologians have arrived at three answers—and archaeologists are offering a fourth. Is there a single right answer?

21 07 2020

Buildings

+7

• Congregation
• Denominations
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Organisation
• Sacraments

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God’s word within our own four walls

Divine services with Holy Communion. This is beginning to be possible in more and more congregations. But because this is still not possible everywhere and not for everyone, online services continue to be streamed. Here are the links for the coming Sunday.

17 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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House services in Las Palmas

It is only a step from the kitchen into the church. For more than 20 years, services of the Las Tricias Congregation on the island of Las Palmas have been taking place in the house of the Huber family. Here is the story of a small and very lively congregation.

14 07 2020

Congregation

+5

• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Europe
• Local news
• Pastoral care

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The sacraments (13): “Let the little children come to Me”?

Some assigned the death penalty to baptism. And others established their very own “thousand-year kingdom of peace”. And it all began with an issue that still divides the denominations today.

09 07 2020

Denominations

+3

• Doctrine 
• History 
• Sacraments

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Changes in the circle of the Apostles (1/2020)

Chief Apostle Schneider ordained three Apostles in the first half of the year. Two Apostles went into retirement and one died while still active.

08 07 2020

Africa

+14

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

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From the “new light” to the “message”

It is not all that uncommon for a pendulum to swing to the other side. This too is part of the story of Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff, who died on 6 July sixty years ago—to the dismay of many brothers and sisters.

06 07 2020

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+8

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• History 
• Holy Sealing
• Investiture
• Ministry
• Sacraments

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The word of God remains audible

Preaching comes through the word of God. Believers know this experience and appreciate it. Here is an overview of where the word of God can be heard and seen this coming Sunday.

03 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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Adhering to the Bible, but in the right way

Sermons, pastoral care, leadership functions—all of these follow the standard of the Bible. But its precepts are not always clear. What Scripture says and what it does not say: a guide intended not just for ministers…

02 07 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Doctrine 
• Organisation
• Pastoral care

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Experiencing God in difficult times

A thirst for God? It certainly sounds a little unusual, almost like an abstract poem. In fact, it is a poem, a psalm, that describes the longing for God’s nearness, His protection, and support. Good thoughts in dreadful days.

30 06 2020

Chief Apostle

+5

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

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The sacraments (12): The durability and resistance of baptism

Acceptance, cleansing, total renewal: Scripture knows many interpretations of baptism. What the sacrament meant to people in concrete terms has changed in the course of history. Often it was a matter of politics and society.

23 06 2020

Acts of blessing

+7

• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments
• Society

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Changing the form of divine services

Incense, candles, ornate robes? Without Apostle Menkhoff, divine services in the New Apostolic Church would perhaps still look like this today. Here is a tribute on the 125th anniversary of his death.

22 06 2020

Anniversary Apostolate

+11

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• History 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Profile
• Sacraments

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Welcome to the virtual church

Part of our congregational and church life has moved online because of COVID-19. Here is a look at some of the means used and what online offers are available this coming Sunday in terms of divine services.

19 06 2020

Acts of blessing

+9

• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• Congregation
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Good Friday
• Palm Sunday
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost

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God’s fourfold “Come!”

God calls us into fellowship: with Himself and with other people, for the future and right now, into a fellowship of life and suffering—and it all leads to eternal happiness. This is a mission all believers have in common.

17 06 2020

Chief Apostle

+4

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Sacraments

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Spotlight 11/2020: Jesus sets our soul free

What does freedom have to do with an eagle? Well, watching such a majestic bird soar higher and higher into the sky with just a few flaps of its wings is a fitting image to describe unlimited freedom, says District Apostle Rainer Storck of Western Germany.

15 06 2020

Annual motto

+5

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Sacraments

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Reunion at Holy Communion: “Unforgettable!”

The first in-person services after the lockdown have taken place. And although everything is a little different than before, there was joy all around at being reunited in the congregations and being able to celebrate Holy Communion again. Also the Chief Apostle experienced this.

12 06 2020

Africa

+17

• America
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Buildings
• Chief Apostle
• Concept of salvation for the departed
• Congregation
• District Apostle
• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• Holy Communion
• Local news
• Pentecost
• Sacraments
• Youth

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don't miss

Old truths expose new tricks

How do you deal with tempting offers and insinuations? Jesus’ temptations in the desert show how we can deal with them. The episode demonstrates the power of the word of God.

03 03 2025

Bible study

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Churros instead of Black Forest cake

Job offers, the love of one’s life, or dissatisfaction with the way things are are sometimes reasons why people look for a new home in a foreign country. Making a living and living one’s faith in a foreign country are a challenge.

15 09 2023

America Congregation

+7

• Divine service
• Doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Ministry
• Music
• Profile
• Sacraments

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Music offers glimmers of hope

Music can help us heal: this was the focus of a joint project in a children’s home north of the Arctic Circle. The participants came from Germany, Austria, Great Britain, and Greenland.

14 05 2024

Good Friday Easter

+11

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

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