In some regions, the first in-person services will resume this Sunday. Central online services on YouTube, television, or telephone will, however, continue to be offered. Last Sunday, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider celebrated Pentecost in Darmstadt in Germany together with a very small congregation in a big church while hundreds of thousands of people followed the […]

Pastoral care gives as much as it can. Jesus Christ shows that pastoral care does good, changes people, and can even leave those around us speechless at times. Jesus Christ carried the neighbour in His heart already long before He actually met him. Following are two events that show how conventions were broken and which […]

The post-Pentecost season is here. This year, it brings us a new chapter in the coronavirus diary: in many countries, divine services are becoming possible again in the local congregations, at least gradually. Following is an overview of the Divine Service Guide for the month of June. Perhaps not everywhere, but in many countries, it […]

The Holy Spirit makes free—free to love and serve. That is the Chief Apostle’s central message on Pentecost 2020. Here is a divine service between bread crumbs and a full-course menu. Normally, the Chief Apostle said, the faithful would gather, sing, and celebrate Holy Communion on the birthday of the church of Christ. But during […]

The workspace of all Christians is the world. It is through believers that the triune God desires to speak and act. And that is precisely how the Son of God set everything up: His gospel needs a church in which it can be preached. Thoughts on the feast of Pentecost 2020. This year, Pentecost is […]

What happens when wind blows into a fire? A weak flame will be extinguished, but a strong flame will grow even stronger. So says a French proverb which the Chief Apostle referenced in one of his sermons on the subject of the fear of God. Photo: ENA France Photo: ENA France Photo: ENA France Photo: […]

It is always quite a lot of work, but it is worthwhile in any event. When the Chief Apostle steps behind the altar on Pentecost Sunday, there will be hundreds of thousands who will see and hear him—despite the corona crisis. The technicians and interpreters will also have a great deal to do. After all, […]

It is the fundamental sacrament: baptism makes a human being into a Christian. But how is it to be celebrated? Jesus said next to nothing on that subject. It is not even clear whether He Himself ever baptised anyone. Following is a due and proper search for clues … How easy it is when it […]

The current crisis has not only changed the way divine services are conducted, but also the way we follow and assimilate them. How active listening works and how it can strengthen the congregation is shown by the art of visual notetaking. Photo: Olaf Guttzeit Photo: Olaf Guttzeit Photo: Olaf Guttzeit Photo: Olaf Guttzeit Photo: Natalie […]

“I am thinking of you; you are not alone.” This is what devotionals want to convey. At the same time, they act as a reminder, telling us: “Remember, don’t forget!” These are valuable messages, especially during the coronavirus age. And the Church leaders want to share them. March 2020: much of the life we had […]

Immersion is not necessarily the same as immersion. And baptism is not necessarily baptism. Sometimes even the smallest details can serve to hint at great innovations. Here is what can be discerned about the most fundamental of all the sacraments—just from looking at some spelling adaptations in key words of the Bible. Baptism comes from […]

We have decided to follow Jesus and yet our life has been turned upside down. Now what? Here is a path-breaking answer from a divine service by the Chief Apostle. Photo: Mike Karcher Photo: Mike Karcher Photo: Mike Karcher Photo: Mike Karcher Photo: Mike Karcher Photo: Mike Karcher Photo: Mike Karcher “Thomas said to Him, […]

Living, working and believing in Malaysia. This is what Evangelist Loganathan Ramaurty Lawrence (51), the rector of the congregation in Kuala Lumpur, tells us about. And he reveals what gives him strength to dedicate himself the way he does. The congregation of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) after the service on Thanksgiving Day 2019 Photo: privat Evangelist […]

These days many people are worried about their health and their livelihood. “Let us trust God,” the Chief Apostle recommends. Why and how can we experience this first-hand? Here are four pieces of advice and two promises from the Palm Sunday service. Photo: ENA France Photo: ENA France Photo: ENA France Photo: ENA France Photo: […]

Pentecost … At home with the Chief Apostle or in our own congregation, maybe even with Holy Communion? The first option is open to everyone, the second one only to a few. The Chief Apostle’s recommendation is clear. We have never seen so much of our Apostles. Since the coronavirus crisis forced us to close […]

Who shows us what God is really like? Who makes the Bible and the sermon a very personal matter? The Chief Apostle knows someone who can, and he also talks about someone who constantly gets in the way. Photo: Jennifer Jendral Photo: Jennifer Jendral Photo: Jennifer Jendral Photo: Jennifer Jendral Photo: Jennifer Jendral Photo: Jennifer […]

Baptism is as old as the New Testament. It is both a bone of contention as well as a binding element among Christians. Some see it as a rite of entry into Christian life, others regard it as merely a private celebration. In fact, it is more than people think! “I am baptised.” Christians actually […]

Online is not everything. How can we resume divine services and congregational life during the coronavirus crisis? Locally and very slowly and cautiously, is the answer of the European Church leaders. In times of assembly bans and stay-at-home orders the offers by the Church have had to be severely reduced. Divine services are currently taking […]