All interested parties are invited: the New Apostolic congregations in the German-speaking regions of the world will be open to the public for a service for the departed on Sunday, 6 November 2016. The preparations are already underway.

Chief Apostle Schneider did not mince his words when he addressed the ministers and their service to God. A ministry is not a rank. A minister’s task in the congregation is to be vigilant and warn the members of impending danger.

Pastoral care is complex and individual. Sometimes it is a single prayer, but often it is a special and close relationship, and continued support. In a meeting of ministers, Chief Apostle Schneider talked about his conception of pastoral care.

Divine salvation is invisible. Christians, however, are to make it visible through their prayers and their faith so that people can recognize salvation. Chief Apostle Schneider invited the congregations to take part in this.

The kingdom of God is not something that can only be found in the future. And seeking it means more than just attending the services. Following are excerpts from a sermon by the Chief Apostle that demonstrate the dimensions and ways we can access them.

“Prejudice” by definition is a preconceived opinion. More often than not it is disparaging, stigmatizing, or discriminating. Prejudices tend to have negative character and are, mostly, unreflected. And yet everybody has them, these treasures that are buried in the dim recesses of our feelings.

There are many ways to live open and co-operative partnerships. This goes from extending hospitality to mutual acceptance to working together. And this is demonstrated by congregations and districts right around the world.

Christ is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty—that is the essence of Christian faith. But what exactly is Christ doing there? Here are five answers to a question from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.

“C'etait genial.” It was awesome. These were Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider’s own words as he said goodbye in South Korea. He was heading home after having been in the Far East for ten days. His visit left lasting impressions, but he also took many impressions home with him.

Battles are exhausting. Whether we are talking about the classic physical fight or the confrontation of two minds, it makes no difference. District Apostle Michael Deppner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo shows us whom we can count on for support.

Kalaallit Nunaat, as the island is called in Greenlandic, is full of contrasts: geologically it belongs to North America, politically to Europe. Four-fifths of the country is covered by a massive ice sheet year round. In summer, the coastal areas are green. Apostle Jörg Steinbrenner just loves the country and its people.

They have the last word, yet nobody sees them. They listen and talk at the same time and all of this in two languages. How do interpreters experience the transmission of a divine service like we just had over Pentecost 2016?

The New Apostolic Church witnessed an Apostle Meeting of a different kind at the start of this year’s Pentecost gathering in Frankfurt am Main. Instead of giving his usual keynote address, the Chief Apostle focused entirely on listening. And there was only one subject of discussion.

The Pentecost service in Frankfurt (Germany) will go on air in more than 20 languages. For the first time, the broadcasting centre is working from its new location—and is well prepared.

The size says nothing. What matters is that there is an atmosphere of joy. That the size of a congregation is not necessarily crucial is proven by many examples around the globe. Our trip takes us from Asia to Brazil and on to Africa and Italy.

A lesson for every Christian: the story of Jacob’s fight. It demonstrates that God can bless us even in trials—if we fight for it. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider recently illustrated fivefold blessing in a divine service.

In all churches there are memorial ceremonies and services—defined to a greater or lesser extent—for loved ones who have passed away. Some Orthodox denominations celebrate with bread and cake at the grave. Other churches celebrate services of remembrance. The New Apostolic Church celebrates divine services for the departed three times each year.

Lit tea-lights in the shape of a heart in Luxembourg, flowers and a “Pray for Paris” banner in Germany: the terror attacks last Friday in Paris have left people in shock, especially in Europe. But the District Apostles are also directing attention beyond Europe’s borders, to other parts of the world.