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.

Believers here gather for divine service in a stadium even during the rainy season. It is here that hundreds of believers receive the sacrament of Holy Sealing in the same divine service—and it is here that many have not yet seen the Chief Apostle. The latter will change this weekend.

A strong will to succeed will help us to secure many individual victories, District Apostle Rüdiger Krause of northern Germany writes in “Spotlight”. He tells us which fundamental attitude will help us win the race.

Victory with Christ—this also means fending off attacks on our faith. How does one arm oneself with truth against lies? It is actually very easy—following is a lesson in self-defence from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.

What is a logo? It is a graphic sign that represents an organization or individuals—making them unmistakable. A logo is part of the identity that is carried outside. But what does a logo contain? We asked.

“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Six thousand languages have developed since then, and everyone speaks at least one of them: their mother tongue.

Working with the talents one has received, and not burying them. This also applies to the many years of experience of retired ministers. An initiative was started by the Church in South Africa on how retired ministers can coach active ministers.

The Chief Apostle will be in the company of twenty Apostles and 14 Bishops this coming weekend. The journey is taking them to West Africa, right on the Atlantic. What is on the itinerary?

Like many other Christians we attend divine services. It seems like something completely normal. But why do we go? And what exactly is divine service?

Berlin, Germany’s national capital, is the city infamous for the huge concrete wall that for decades divided it into two halves. Chief Apostle Schneider will be in Berlin this coming weekend. The unique history of the city teaches a lesson that can be applied to congregations worldwide.

Pastoral care should not just remain a concept. It has to be practised in order to be experienced. Pastoral care goes to heart and it takes an active interest especially in the bad moments of peoples’ lives. Such as in Taiwan after the earthquake or when congregations are scattered and regular divine services are not possible.

What do church districts and cars have in common? Both need a motor. This is something the Chief Apostle illustrated on his recent trip to Africa where he ordained a total of eleven new Apostles.

Already early on there were signs of an impending comeback. Prophecies that were uttered in Karlshuld, a small village in the south of Germany, blazed the trail for something that would happen a few years later in England: the re-establishment of the Apostle ministry.

Easter is just around the corner. On 27 March 2016 Christianity will observe its most important feast. Since apostolic times a period of fasting and preparation is observed before Easter. Lent provides for a 40-day fast starting on Ash Wednesday. This is one of two annual and extended periods of fasting.

Those who would like a wish fulfilled know they have to do something for it. This also applies to the great desire expressed in one of the psalms—one that has been set to music and has evolved into a beloved classic in our circles. In a recent divine service, the Chief Apostle outlined a programme that helps us to stay in the house of the Lord.

True to the motto “Educating the leaders” a new training programme has been initiated. This follows a decision by the Chief Apostle who stipulates that the Church leaders need more than firm faith and a good knowledge of the Bible.

A New Apostolic Church influenced by the Gothic Revival? And inside the edifice, on one of its walls, there is the headdress of a Native American Indian chief. Intrigued?

Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider recently used the wine-growing process as an image to give some very clear indications regarding our life of faith.