This year’s first divine service for the departed will be celebrated by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider in Bielefeld in Germany. There, at the north-eastern tip of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the first New Apostolic services are recorded to have taken place in 1868 already. nac.today takes a look at this New Apostolic stronghold.

What is the actual sequence of a New Apostolic divine service anyway? This question comes up often, especially when guests are present in a divine service for a baptism or confirmation, for example. The liturgical order of the divine services is the same for all divine services, and applies all around the world.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

There is much more to professing our faith in Jesus Christ than just saying amen. The Chief Apostle recently explained in a divine service what this means—for the Apostles and the congregations.

“The stranger is your neighbour!” This was one of the core messages from Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider over the past year. And—even in times of terrorism and war, waves of immigration, and xenophobia—this also remains our mission for the new year.

Organizationally well established—both as a team and in terms of leadership: that is how the New Apostolic Church in the Americas has presented itself. Here is part three of our year-in-review journey around the world on nac.today.

Great need, many small joys, and an energetic sense of community: that was the year 2015 from the perspective of New Apostolic Christians in Asia and Australia, the second region to look back over the year on nac.today.

The first Christians supported the efforts and the mission of the Apostles by professing the gospel, by revealing their love, their joy, and their steadfastness, and by bringing their offerings. It is not any different today. Following are thoughts from Chief Apostle Schneider on how we can help along.

Whether friend, stranger, or enemy, every single one of them is our neighbour in the biblical sense. Jesus Christ demands that we love them. How is that possible? Answers from a divine service by the Chief Apostle …

“It can never be said that the Apostle was a coward. I risked everything to help in the quick movement and furtherance of the Church work.” These words were written by the Chief Apostle’s right hand: Apostle Heinrich Franz Schlaphoff. Fifty years ago today he passed away.

Myanmar—for many years this extraordinary country was isolated from the rest of the world. Following the landslide victory of Aung Suu Kyi, many new possibilities have opened up for the country.