District Apostle

The District Apostle ministry is an apostle level in the New Apostolic Church (NAK). A district apostle heads a district church or an area assigned to it, both organisationally and pastoral care. District apostles therefore formally appear as church presidents of their respective district churches.

District Apostles occupy a position between the Apostles and the Chief Apostle , but - apart from the administrative area - have the same ecclesiastical powers as all Apostles. In practice, however, they primarily take on tasks such as ordinations or the dispensing of the sacraments of the dormition.

origin

The idea of the district apostle is probably based on the leadership ideology of individual apostles in the early church of the 1st century AD. In the Bible , for example, B. to recognize a slight priority of the apostles Paul or John over later apostles and thus the approach of a hierarchy.

Only in the New Apostolic Church, but not in predecessors such as the Catholic Apostolic Congregations , has this office existed since the mid-1920s. While the number of New Apostolic Christians in Germany increased enormously after the First World War and the number of apostles was supposed to remain relative to the number of members, larger areas with several apostles were added to a district apostle area . The first District Apostles in New Apostolic history are u. a. Paul Dach, who had looked after the Rhineland district from 1926, or Heinrich Schlaphoff, who was ordained as District Apostle for many Apostle districts south of the equator.

theology

Like all ministers, District Apostles are not theologians , and trained theologians are not excluded. Likewise, according to the New Apostolic understanding, the selection of such a minister must be “requested”; That is, a sign from God must point to one of the District Apostles. This almost always happens within the circle of the Apostles. District Apostles are ordained by the Chief Apostle and so far can only be men.

In theological discussions about doctrine, apostles and district apostles are fully involved in the decision-making process. The Chief Apostle is ultimately responsible for the public presentation.

catechism

In the Catechism of the New Apostolic Church , which has been in effect since 2012, it is written on the term District Apostle ministry:

“In addition to the duties incumbent on each apostle, the district apostle has the responsibility to ensure uniform pastoral care, the supply of the congregations and the spiritual equipment of the ministers within a certain work area (district apostle area). Furthermore, it defines the priorities of the church's work, determines the ordination of ministers and seeks to maintain the unity in the circle of the apostles. As a rule, he celebrates Holy Communion for those who have fallen asleep for his work area. A task that goes beyond the actual work in the District Apostle area is to take part in the District Apostle Meeting, which advises and supports the Chief Apostle in the management of the Church. In addition, the District Apostle is generally a representative of the District Church. "

Current situation

16 District Apostles are currently active worldwide, each one responsible for pastoral care in one or more areas.

District Apostles are employees of the New Apostolic Church; their salary is financed by donations from members. The amount of the salary depends on the local conditions and is determined by external auditors .

District Apostles meet annually for so-called District Apostle Assemblies and discuss organizational and theological points of discussion. There are special project and working groups for theological work and special topics ( homosexuality , sexual abuse , coordination, etc.), some of which also include District Apostles.