Having to take leave of a loved one is very painful. When death is preceded by a long and serious illness, then grief is compounded by the gnawing and painful question: Why didn’t our prayers help? Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider responded to this question in the memorial service for Apostle Xavier Arèse.

Dedications, commemorations, confirmations—there sure seems to be a lot going on in the congregations around the world. As usual, we provide our readers with a brief, representative overview of the events of the past week in the many New Apostolic congregations around the world.

What does a Deacon do? Is this ministry still timely? What are his concrete tasks in the congregation?

Complaining, sulking, not attending the divine services... then the glad tidings that "Christ lives" is not credible. In his Easter sermon, Chief Apostle Schneider spoke of a revolution at the time of Christ, as well as of the changes that must take place in our time.

"It also happens again and again in our day that things in our lives, in the congregation, do not always go as we would wish." — On Good Friday, Chief Apostle Schneider spoke about failure and victory in affliction, and drew some parallels to our own lives.

Like no one else, he influenced the development of a movement that eventually became the New Apostolic Church . Not only because he played a central role in our Church's history, but also because he had a defining impact on a Christian denomination that was still in its infancy at the time: Apostle Friedrich Wilhelm Schwarz was born 200 years ago today.

Distraught? In despair? At times we need to take a few moments to pause and gain a clearer perspective. During his most recent trip to Canada, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider followed in the footsteps of three of Jesus' disciples.

Three Apostles, three languages: the first youth weekend in Senegal placed high demands on others besides the organizers. Even the confirmation represented a challenge that could only be mastered through teamwork. The Apostle responsible for the work of the Church in this country reports for nac.today.

The Passiontide, with the death of the Lord on Good Friday, ends magnificently in the resurrection of the Lord. This is the fundamental belief of all Christians. But why is this day of the resurrection so important for us?

The Passiontide began with yesterday's celebration of Palm Sunday. Now we commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ, who selflessly served mankind to the very end.

Finding peace in Christ: this is the goal of faith. But what comprises this peace? And how does one attain it? At times we must even fight for it. This is part of the answer from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.

"It is the same everywhere—only completely different." That is how Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler described our common faith in the gospel in the context of the very different living conditions that prevail from country to country. This week, nac.today will also take a look around the globe.

Tomorrow, 8 March, is International Women's Day – a celebration that has its roots in the battle for equal rights. Women in the New Apostolic Church cannot exercise a ministry, but they do perform invaluable pastoral work. How does that fit together?

The rebirth as a child of God is a start. But God expects that we reach adulthood in our faith. That is how Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider formulated it and set out to explain the steps on our way to a mature faith.

Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of important occasions for which brothers and sisters have come together. Besides divine services and meetings with Christians of other denominations there were sacramental acts and ordinations.

Three times a year, New Apostolic Christians celebrate a divine service in which they remember the departed. Unlike All Souls’ or All Saints’ Day—which are a day of prayer for the dead—this is a Sunday on which the sacraments are administered to the dead. What is behind this?

Soft yet firm, someone who blazed the trail and someone who guided others on it, that was Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler. Today he would have turned 90 years of age.

Nobody is perfect. Oh yes, there is! And of all things we are to become like Him. How are we going to manage that? Following are a few pointers from a recent divine service by the Chief Apostle.