world.today

Changes in the circle of the Apostles (2/2019)

Only a few retirements and ordinations have taken place recently in the circle of the Apostles—the past six months comprise a relatively calm half-year characterised by continuity. There are currently 349 active Apostles around the world.

December 23, 2019

Africa America

+12

• apostolate
• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• investiture
• ministry
• retirement

Listen to it

Martha and Mary: there is a time for everything

“At the feet of Jesus”? Or: “Of service be to Jesus”? Jesus Himself gave Mary and Martha a clear answer. But this can be quite confusing. Two small words, namely περισπάω and τυρβάζω‭, provide clarification.

December 5, 2019

Listen to it

Standing together — in both distress and joy

People gather on the ruins of a house to serve as rescuers. Women and men from a small congregation come together as believers to express their gratitude. And young people gather together to orient themselves by the example of Jesus as self-aware Christians. Three images that move us.

November 29, 2019

acts of blessing

+9

• Africa
• charity work
• Confirmation
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• Youth

Listen to it

Save our children: Universal Children’s Day 2019

Do children really need their own awareness day? The United Nations certainly think so, for the world does not belong to our children, although it should. Some thoughts contrary to the general trend.

November 20, 2019

Children

+1

• society

Listen to it

Getting the picture (12): Dos and Don’ts

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.

November 12, 2019

Asia

+4

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• sacraments

Listen to it

International charities, an expression of Christian love

Providing food, clothing, and care. Starting in verse 31, Matthew 25 specifies what charity means. This week we take a look at the charities run by the New Apostolic Churches across the globe.

November 1, 2019

Africa America

+9

• Asia
• Australia / Pacific
• charity work
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Easter
• Europe
• ministry
• Social commitment

Listen to it

From darkness to light: the essence of the Christian belief

In the northern hemisphere, the month of November is dark and dreary. The days become shorter, the temperatures fall. For many people it is a miserable time of year. But there is hope, and this is always stronger than the night. Things will become better.

October 31, 2019

Advent

+5

• concept of salvation for the departed
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• sacraments

Listen to it

About a man who set out to fulfil his dream

On 19 October 1879, Frederik Lodewijk Anthing received the Apostle ministry in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) from Apostle Schwarz. This was the go-ahead for the New Apostolic missionary work in Indonesia.

October 19, 2019

apostolate

+8

• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Europe
• Holy Sealing
• ministry
• sacraments
• society

Listen to it

A few have much, but so many so little

Gratitude and petitions, praise and sorrow, poverty and wealth … Like often in life, the boundaries are blurred. Far too many people have too little to live on, and only relatively few have enough of everything.

October 18, 2019

Africa

+8

• Asia
• charity work
• District Apostle
• divine service
• grieving
• Pastoral care
• society
• Thanksgiving Day

Listen to it

Getting the picture (11): solving problems

Not everything can be resolved according to the book, even if today’s fully automatic cameras tend to make us think so. More often than not the photographer has to use all his creativity to achieve a good result. Here is the inside track for advanced photographers.

October 17, 2019

divine service

Listen to it

Five ways to collect treasures

Going on a treasure hunt—a childhood dream for many. In many religious contexts this is also a topic, albeit at a totally different level. This was the case in a divine service in Ndola (Zambia), where the Chief Apostle was referring to spiritual riches.

October 16, 2019

Asia

+9

• Baptism 
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• District Apostle
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

Listen to it

What is growing in your field?

Wheat or tares? If only we always knew the answer right away! At times it is only later on that we find out what has begun to grow. This is the subject matter of the New Apostolic sermons in the month of October.

September 30, 2019

congregation

+1

• divine service

Listen to it

A stone of stumbling in front of the church door

In front of the New Apostolic Church in Besigheim, Southern Germany, there is a “stone of stumbling” that commemorates Frida Dippon. She was the wife of the former rector, who was murdered as part of the National Socialists’ euthanasia programme in 1940.

September 28, 2019

congregation

+2

• Europe
• Youth

Listen to it

We worship God—whom else would we worship!?

Are there any commonalities between the Israelites who made their way out of Egypt some 3,000 years ago and the Christians of the 21st century? Chief Apostle Schneider elaborates on the parallels and makes some very clear statements about witchcraft, capitalism, and egocentricity.

September 25, 2019

Africa

+4

• Chief Apostle
• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
• doctrine 

Listen to it

Getting the picture (10): the work after work

The photos are in the box—but the work isn’t quite done yet. Which photos are best suited to publish? And how do you prepare them for publication? Here are a few simple tips from the field.

September 23, 2019

divine service

Listen to it

“I fight for what I believe in”

She is a remarkable personality: Lucie Bindu is a journalist. Today the native of Congo lives in Oslo. In our interview, the 27-year-old relates the things that have left an impression on her in faith and as a person.

September 19, 2019

congregation

+3

• divine service
• Local news
• Profile

Listen to it

A lot of work—a lot of time—a lot of joy

Many things in life take time. For example, plans for new ideas do not simply develop overnight. Even new church building projects take time. Following is a small sampling of activities in progress around the world.

September 6, 2019

Africa congregation

+6

• District Apostle
• divine service
• Event
• Pastoral care
• Seniors
• Youth

Listen to it

Ministry (7): the gift as a duty?

Change has its tradition—even in the ministerial order of the New Apostolic Church. But how far is this allowed to go? For example, aren’t pastors and Evangelists a biblical must? Following are some answers to some frequently asked questions.

September 5, 2019

congregation

+4

• doctrine 
• history 
• investiture
• ministry

Listen to it

In the heart of Africa

The topics presented by nac.today cover a wide range of technical, administrative, and even personal topics. This week we take you to Africa to bring you up to speed on the developments there.

August 30, 2019

Africa

+11

• apostolate
• charity work
• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Easter
• grieving
• history 
• ministry
• Pastoral care

Listen to it

When many pitch in, dreams come true

As an individual one may often not be able to do a whole lot, but as part of a larger group or community, there is a great deal that can be done. If many pitch in and provide concrete help, dreams can sometimes be made to come true.

August 23, 2019

Buildings

+3

• charity work
• congregation
• Youth

Listen to it

Impulses from the IYC – Help! My husband is a minister

How can I be a good example in faith for my children, if there is no time to look after my own soul? What can I do when my work-life-church-balance is out of balance? There were some answers at the IYC 2019.

August 13, 2019

congregation

+5

• divine service
• doctrine 
• Event
• ministry
• Youth

Listen to it

Given for all: wafers for people with special needs

Not everyone can be so carefree when they partake of Holy Communion: some of the ingredients in the wafers can be harmful for people with certain illnesses. But even here, Germany’s main wafer bakery can provide assistance.

August 12, 2019

America confessions

+3

• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• sacraments

Listen to it

Faith or the Law—a delicate topic

Right or wrong, real or fake, pure or impure? There was a time when these questions played an immense role for the people of the early Christian period. The transition from the old covenant to the new covenant was not so easy.

August 6, 2019

congregation

+1

• history 

Listen to it

Spotlight 13/2019: The wealth of diversity!

In his reflections on our annual motto, District Apostle Tshitshi Tshisekedi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls on us to value the diversity of gifts and abilities, rather than seeing them as differences …

August 5, 2019

annual motto

+5

• Chief Apostle
• District Apostle
• doctrine 
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

Listen to it

Faith goes deeper than the surface

Can we declare something to exist that we can neither explain, nor touch, nor even see? There are many reasons that speak against it. However, faith makes it possible.

July 31, 2019

apostolate

+7

• Chief Apostle
• congregation
• divine service
• doctrine 
• Holy Communion
• Holy Sealing
• sacraments

Listen to it

Christians should act as Christians!

People say that handsome is as handsome does. What does that have to do with the Christian faith? A great deal, as it turns out. After all, only those who act in Christian fashion are truly Christian. Following are some highlights from Sunday sermons in the coming month.

July 30, 2019

congregation

+1

• doctrine 

Listen to it

don't miss

… the church comes to the believer

Lockdown, bans on assembly, no divine services—in many places, believers cannot gather together in the church. For them the offer of divine service by video continues.

August 28, 2020

Chief Apostle doctrine 

+5

• sacraments
• Holy Communion
• concept of salvation for the departed
• divine service
• congregation

Listen to it

“Onward, upward, homeward…” in stereo

When Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider sets off for the Good Friday divine service, he will also be following a cultural connection that will most likely be familiar to friends of modern art. It has to do with a sculpture that reminds us of a hymn from our choir book: "Onward, upward, homeward..." — a brief page view:

April 2, 2015

Good Friday Chief Apostle

+3

• District Apostle
• divine service
• America

Listen to it

“A decision with long-term goals in mind”

The New Apostolic Church in Angola is growing. It was time to take another step. Since last Sunday, the country has its own District Apostle Helper: João Uanuque Misselo.

February 25, 2015

Chief Apostle District Apostle

+6

• apostolate
• doctrine 
• congregation
• Pastoral care
• Organisation
• Africa

Listen to it