faith.today

From thoughts to words to deeds

Are we really expected to constantly offer up praise and thanks? That is demanding indeed. In fact, today it comes close to a provocation. How this can be done and why it is good for us… Here are some explanations from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.

August 17, 2021

Chief Apostle divine service

+3

• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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The sacraments (40): a twenty-course menu of titbits

A menu in twenty courses—that’s what the nac.today series on the history and theology of Holy Communion has served up. Following is an overview of what has been covered—before we move on to Holy Sealing.

August 16, 2021

concept of salvation for the departed

+8

• confessions
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

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He loved to be in the middle of things

The great shepherd’s heart has stopped beating. District Apostle (ret.) Markus Fehlbaum of Switzerland passed away yesterday after a long and serious illness with many ups and downs. As a tribute, here is his portrait once more.

August 13, 2021

District Apostle

+7

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• grieving
• ministry
• Music
• Pastoral care

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Shared loneliness

Some look back with gratitude and joy and have happy memories, others look ahead hopefully as they face special challenges. Here is a look at some of the activities in our congregations around the world.

August 6, 2021

acts of blessing

+19

• Africa
• America
• apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• grieving
• Holy Communion
• investiture
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• retirement
• sacraments
• Youth

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The ascent and exit of Ernst Güttinger

It was 70 years ago, on 5 August 1951, that the then Chief Apostle Johann Gottfried Bischoff retired him. Today, Ernst Güttinger would have been 144 years of age. Who was this man who left behind such a mixed legacy?

August 5, 2021

acts of blessing

+11

• apostolate
• Chief Apostle
• Confirmation
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• investiture
• ministry
• sacraments

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The sacraments (39): Shed for whom?

For whom did Jesus Christ die? For us? For many? Or for all? This question has resulted in a small but significant change in the consecration formula for Holy Communion. The answer has been well researched.

August 3, 2021

doctrine  Holy Communion

+1

• sacraments

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Some good news

Here’s something that turns one’s whole life upside down in the best way possible, that changes one’s way of life and one’s goals permanently, and is also highly motivating … People are always looking for reliable advice. This is exactly what the Sunday services in the month of August offer, namely guidance.

August 2, 2021

congregation

+4

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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A look back and more

This week we take a look at an anniversary in Australia and a campaign for a better future. There certainly are reasons to celebrate, but there are also always moments to pause and reflect and pray for others.

July 30, 2021

anniversary

+18

• apostolate
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Event
• grieving
• Holy Sealing
• investiture
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• retirement
• sacraments
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

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Pastoral care (14): Emmaus, the mother of all visits

Emmaus, a small town near Jerusalem, was the scene of an interesting exchange between the Risen Jesus Christ and His disciples. And that is precisely what a really good pastoral visit should look like.

July 27, 2021

congregation

+2

• doctrine 
• Pastoral care

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Tears of sorrow, tears of joy

Joy and sadness often exist side by side. While some can come together and celebrate again, others are struggling to come to terms with destruction. Let’s pray for all.

July 23, 2021

acts of blessing

+15

• Africa
• Buildings
• charity work
• Chief Apostle
• Children
• Confirmation
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Good Friday
• grieving
• Music
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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Love is the standard of our perfection

“Let us trust in God, let us believe in Jesus Christ, let us believe in the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit and act accordingly. Those who do this will benefit fully from salvation. This is nothing new, but I don’t know of anything else that would be more important for us than that.”

July 22, 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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Professing faith to many ears

Podcasts are becoming more and more popular all around the world. People use them to talk about everything on God’s green earth. And since God is the Creator of it all, it wasn’t long before some of our own members decided to take advantage of the opportunity to use podcasts to profess their faith.

July 21, 2021

America

+14

• Ascension Day
• Australia / Pacific
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Music
• Pentecost
• sacraments
• Social commitment
• society
• Thanksgiving Day
• Youth

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The sacraments (38): Much more than just a receipt

When it comes to its understanding of Holy Communion, the New Apostolic Church is still fairly close to its Catholic Apostolic roots. But it has been quite a journey to get there. Following is an outline of the route.

July 20, 2021

Chief Apostle

+5

• congregation
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• ministry
• sacraments

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Pastoral care survey: women for women

Is there a need for women in pastoral care? There sure is! This is the conclusion reached by an official work group in the New Apostolic Church Western Germany—and the group has concrete figures to demonstrate the need for a response to this demand in the congregations.

July 13, 2021

congregation

+8

• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Event
• investiture
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• Youth

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Worshipping together

The celebration of divine services is something that, outwardly, has changed in the course of Church history. Now circumstances have forced us to go online as well. But can online services even provide a dignified setting?

July 9, 2021

Chief Apostle

+7

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 
• Music
• sacraments
• Youth

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Visiting construction sites

“When you look at a construction site, you might think, ‘What will this become?’ But sometimes there is a picture that shows what the building will look like in the end. The picture is Christ,” District Apostle Michael Deppner said on Pentecost. Following is an overview of church buildings and other facilities under construction.

July 9, 2021

Buildings

+9

• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 
• Pentecost
• sacraments
• Seniors
• Social commitment

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The fire of the Spirit

The church and the faithful are ablaze. And this fire enlightens, warms, purifies, shapes, and gathers. Yet this fire needs to be fed. Here is how from a recent sermon by the Chief Apostle.

July 7, 2021

Chief Apostle divine service

+4

• doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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Last minute cancellation of pastoral trip

The Chief Apostle’s trip to Zambia and the DR Congo has been cancelled. He will not be able to travel there. He is very disappointed, but what pains him the most is the disappointment of the brothers and sisters. He is well acquainted with the conditions of the members there.

July 6, 2021

Africa

+13

• Chief Apostle
• concept of salvation for the departed
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• grieving
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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A pastoral trip ends fatally

Four dead, two survivors: a boating accident on the Kahamba River leaves a huge void. Many congregations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are deeply saddened. Those killed in the accident were their ministers.

July 2, 2021

congregation

+4

• District Apostle
• divine service
• grieving
• Pastoral care

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community 3/2021: Unity in diversity

“It is the same everywhere, only different,” Chief Apostle Hans Urwyler once said many years ago. Life and faith differ greatly in the congregations around the world, yet there is so much we have in common. community presents some of these commonalities in its latest issue, 03/2021.

July 1, 2021

charity work

+9

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• history 
• Music
• Organisation
• sacraments

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The sacraments (37): The Lord’s Supper in four dimensions

Let each celebrate Communion in their own way? The leap over the church fence is still rather difficult, but there is substantial common ground. This is outlined by the words of consecration and explained by the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church.

June 29, 2021

Ascension Day

+4

• congregation
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

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Fellowship with God and with one another

Wambel is one of the congregations in the city of Dortmund in Germany. On 30 May 2021 Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider preached about God’s love there and what our response to His love can be like.

June 28, 2021

Chief Apostle congregation

+3

• doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

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Proven a million times over

Divine service broadcasts are part of the Church’s past and its present. Following is this Sunday’s streaming offer.

June 25, 2021

Chief Apostle

+7

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Music
• Pentecost
• sacraments

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Pastoral care (13): anything from boring to exciting

“Bah, was that ever a boring evening!” The Priest had announced his visit and blabbed on and on about nothing more than personal preferences. The verdict on that visit was devastating. Real pastoral interest looks quite different.

June 24, 2021

doctrine 

+4

• investiture
• ministry
• Pastoral care
• society

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Without men

“God, help the widows and orphans.” This petition has become somewhat of an empty phrase in many prayers. The UN observes 23 June as International Widows Day, and it is an opportunity to take a special look at women in biblical times who had to take charge of their lives.

June 22, 2021

congregation

+5

• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Pastoral care
• sacraments
• society

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Women in ministry: a debate full of contrasts

There was certainly plenty of buzz on the social media sponsored by the New Apostolic Church. The subject of women in ministry generated hundreds of comments. And the reactions could hardly have been more different.

June 17, 2021

Africa

+13

• apostolate
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• investiture
• ministry
• Organisation
• Pastoral care
• society

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don't miss

“Always speak the language of love”

Enrique Eduardo Minio is at work as the “architect of the future” in the southern regions of South America. That is how the Chief Apostle referred to him at his ordination. What does this mean in practice? Following is an interview with both the former District Apostle and the new District Apostle.

July 27, 2016

ministry investiture

+9

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• divine service
• congregation
• Youth
• Europe
• America
• Event

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“Do you still remember why I had to suffer?”

Lent and Passiontide… It can feel like pain and sorrow. Compassion is what is called for! At the same time, however, it becomes clear that Christians must never forget why their Saviour Jesus Christ had to suffer: it was for them!

March 1, 2021

Palm Sunday Easter

+8

• doctrine 
• sacraments
• Holy Communion
• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
• Pastoral care
• grieving
• history 

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“Felix Austria”: lucky Austria makes music

The stalls, the boxes, the lower and upper galleries … the Vienna Concert Hall was filled to the last seat. “We invite you to have an encounter with Jesus through music,” Franz Jochum, the musical director and conductor, said to the audience at the beginning of the concert.

June 3, 2017

Pentecost congregation

+3

• Youth
• Music
• New Year

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