“In the divine service, the photographer should be practically transparent”—relates a South American cameraman. This is a wish that photographers around the world often hear. An e-book on the subject offers helpful tips—and it is now available in the Spanish language too. Photo: New Apostolic Church International Photo: New Apostolic Church International Photo: New Apostolic […]

A universal language for all? Forgetting your mother tongue? Is that even possible? Sure it is! Fortunately, there is a common solution to both problems. A reflection on today’s International Mother Language Day. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to travel around the world and speak to all the people you meet in their own mother tongue? […]

The term ‘sacrament’ and the Bible—it’s just one of those things: the idea is there, but not the actual word. The term only made its way into Christian vocabulary later on—and it even took two tries! Here is a story about semantics. Carthage, North Africa: it was here of all places—and not in the great […]

Love, return, inheritance, responsibility, coping: these are five kinds of freedom that Jesus Christ has available for us. It was in Nzagi, Angola that the Chief Apostle presented the key to all of this. And that is being a child. Photo: Neuapostolische Kirche Westdeutschland Photo: Neuapostolische Kirche Westdeutschland Photo: Neuapostolische Kirche Westdeutschland Photo: Neuapostolische Kirche […]

Travelling to individual countries can certainly be strenuous, especially if the responsible District Apostle has announced his visit to congregations that are quite distant from one another. It is on just such a weekend in Colombia and Peru with District Apostle Leonard Kolb that Bishop Manfredo Stegmann reports. Photo: NAC USA Photo: NAC USA Photo: […]

Sacraments — what is required for these? Wouldn’t faith be sufficient all on its own? The answer to this comes from Jesus Christ Himself. But how do they actually function, these doors that bring us close to God? A smile darts across the face. This is first of all a sign of joy, but at […]

There are moments in our life of faith when heaven and earth practically touch. And these moments are so important that they have a name all to themselves: sacraments. What are these? Where do they originate? What do they accomplish? — Introducing a brand new series. When a bride and bridegroom give rings to one […]

Retired Shepherd Christoph Müller has a very special perspective on the celebration of Holy Communion. This is because many of the chalices containing the wafers originate from the workshop of the master metalworker. Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Photo: privat Anyone who […]

Christmas is a time for gifts and the New Year is a reason to celebrate. This is also how the New Apostolic Church around the globe presents itself. Here is a closer look at the intended recipients of these gifts and just what there is to celebrate. Music brings in support Photo: NAC Southern Africa […]

Enjoying divine services, cultivating fellowship, making music, and helping our neighbours—lively and active congregational life can be found on all continents. Join us on a tour through various countries… Celebrating divine services strengthens the soul and encourages fellowship! Photo: Igreja Nova Apostólica América do Sul Celebrating divine services strengthens the soul and encourages fellowship! Photo: […]

Designated and called: but authority alone is not sufficient to permit someone to actually exercise a ministry. This requires something more—something that also plays a role in retirement and transfer from one area to another. According to the New Apostolic understanding, a ministry comprises both ministerial authority and a ministerial mandate. The authority is of […]

When the Chief Apostle conducts a divine service in Mulhouse, France, he is practically “in his living room”. He had packed along plenty of comfort to bring the believers, and encouraged them in their struggles. Photo: Église néo-apostolique France Photo: Église néo-apostolique France Photo: Église néo-apostolique France Photo: Église néo-apostolique France Photo: Église néo-apostolique France […]

Martin Luther was convinced that music is the best balsam for a sad and hurting person. However, even happy and cheerful people love music—then as now. There was relaxation and fun, a divine service with Holy Sealing, and lots of music at the Day of the Youth in the north-eastern part of Brazil. Photo: Igreja […]

Designated and ordained: the ordained minister is authorised to act and speak in the name of God. Nevertheless, these powers are anything but limitless. The New Apostolic Church always understands ministry from the perspective of ministerial authority. And ministerial authority—so reads the official definition—“constitutes the right to act and speak in the name of the […]

With the end of the anniversary year, our series draws to a close. Since 1919 bread and wine have been united in Holy Communion throughout the New Apostolic Church. Interesting bits and pieces in conclusion. Fifty-fifty This is what the congregations did during World War One out of sheer necessity. Sometimes there was so little […]

A person is chosen for a ministry by God, and ordination through a human being is the way he receives it—what exactly this is and how it differs from appointments and assignments is described here. Ordination, appointment, assignment—these are the three acts of institution that the New Apostolic Church has known since Pentecost 2019 for […]

It was always there, a large capital “F” in his calendar. And it did not stand for “free”, but for the word “family”. This is how Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler regularly scheduled time for his loved ones. Bishop Hans Plüss with his grandson, Hans Urwyler Photo: privat Hedi and Hans Urwyler with their sons Hans-Jürg […]

Photography in divine service. It not only raises questions, but sometimes also eyebrows. But the series shows that there are good answers and ways of doing things. As the final article in this series, here are a few dos and don’ts to make photography a memorable experience for all involved. Talk first, then take photos. […]