Network of Apostolic History

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Network of Apostolic History
(NAG)
Logo Network of Apostolic History.jpg
purpose Science and Research
Chair: Mathias Eberle, Sebastian Müller-Bahr, Volker Wissen
Establishment date: September 2010 (2008)
Number of members: > 100
Seat : Uhlandstrasse 6, Steinhagen - Brockhagen
Website: apostolische-geschichte.de

The Network Apostolic History , a non-denominational and independent interest group for research into the history of the apostolic denominations, was formed following a meeting of those interested in history on 18/19. October 2008 in Coswig (Anhalt) . The non-profit supporting association Network Apostolic History e. V. was founded on September 5, 2010 in Bielefeld .

issue

The network offers everyone interested in the history of the apostolic communities, for example in the area of ​​the Catholic Apostolic Churches , the New Apostolic Church or the Association of Apostolic Congregations, a platform for the exchange of information and material. Nationwide meetings take place annually. The network works non-denominationally, the participants in the network belong to different denominations. The meetings and participation in the network are open to all interested parties. The Brockhagen archive has been regularly accessible since July 2012.

The Apostolische in Deutschland, an overview, created by the network Apostolische Geschichte
The Apostolic Churches in the Netherlands, an overview produced by the Apostolic History Network
The offices of the KAG , an overview compiled by the Apostolic History Network

history

In 2008, those interested in the history of the apostolic communities from all over Germany met for the first time in Coswig (Anhalt) . The aim of the meeting was to present topics, exchange materials and establish contacts. Since no such organization or platform existed so far, the participants initially formed an informal network. This happened a short time later by setting up a website and a closed mailing list . They also networked through correspondence, material exchange and division of labor, which was coordinated via the Internet.

Later larger collaborative projects emerged, such as the idea of ​​a common archive. After calls for archive donations in the area of ​​the apostolic communities, over 6,400 materials have now been collected (as of 2016). The documents and media can be viewed in Brockhagen's own research archive since July 2012. Another project is the APWiki on the history of the apostolic communities. The Wiki, which has been available on the Internet since spring 2010, is the first encyclopedia on the apostolic faith communities . The freely accessible website now has over 2,300 entries. Since mid-2012 the initiative has also been running the online archive Apostolische-Dokumente.de with over 2,200 publications that can be accessed online.

The network gained nationwide attention during and after participating in the 2nd Ecumenical Church Congress in Munich. Among other things, content-related discussion groups were offered there, which were quite controversial and provoked not insignificant reactions in the various camps of the apostolic faith communities.

Foundation of an association

On Sunday, September 5th, 2010, in a three-hour meeting in Bielefeld, 14 founding members decided to found the supporting association, which was named Netzwerk Apostolische Geschichte e. V. should wear. Mathias Eberle (Bielefeld, first chairman), Sebastian Müller-Bahr (Kabelsketal, second chairman) and Volker Wissen (Düsseldorf, cashier) were elected to the board of this association. The association is to coordinate the activities of the Network of Apostolic History and provide an organizational basis for research projects and events. In January 2011 the foundation, registration and recognition of the non-profit status were completed. In autumn 2012, 2014 and 2016 the above mentioned Board re-elected unanimously.

Brockhagen archive

Exterior view of the Brockhagen archive in May 2014

The non-profit association has been operating the first research archive on the history of the apostolic religious communities, the Brockhagen archive , since December 2011 . The freely accessible and independent archive with library and seminar room is located in the former New Apostolic Church Brockhagen in Steinhagen near Bielefeld. Public lectures and meetings are also held here on a regular basis.

IMPULS meeting place

The association announced the opening of a meeting place in the center of Merseburg for summer 2019 . This should be available in the future for events and activities of the network, but also promote the ecumenical dialogue on site and, for example, serve as a meeting point for youthful Christian groups.

Finances

Participation in the network is free of charge, for membership in the association a membership fee of 60 euros per year is charged. The meetings and get-togethers are financed by conference lump sums for the respective participants. Further public appearances, such as at the ÖKT 2010 , are paid for with donations and the association's assets.

reception

The Evangelical Central Office for Weltanschauungsfragen (EZW for short) judged the work of the network as follows in December 2013:

“In contrast to the NAK historiography 'from above', which was guided by interests at that time, it is a free association, a lay initiative of those interested in history that works on researching apostolic history independently of church hierarchies. (...)

The network is international (Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands) and cross-denominational ( NAK , VAG , Reformed Church, Catholic-Apostolic congregations ). This is remarkable, because the aforementioned apostolic groups are in a more or less tense relationship to one another, which those involved are also aware of. Despite the good personal togetherness, the network does not primarily aim to contribute to interdenominational reconciliation. It would also be misunderstood as an alliance for historiographical support of the reform forces in the NAK or even as an argumentation aid for the dropout groups. The aim and aim of the network are the collection and historical-critical research of sources from all phases and branches of apostolic history. (...)

Anyone who is familiar with traditional New Apostolic historiography will immediately notice the contrast: As far as history was of any interest in the context of the radical imminent expectation - and this is still not the case in large parts of the NAK today - it was mostly in a Confessional style and with an apologetic intention worked. In the network, on the other hand, you do classic historical source research and do not shy away from explosive topics and research results ( Bischoff's message , dormant being). "

literature

Proceedings, directly from the Network of Apostolic History

  • The apostolic congregations in transition - 1863 to 1900. Nürtingen 2008, ISBN 978-3-939291-03-9
  • Construction, expansion, separations. The development of the apostolic communities in the first third of the 20th century. Nürtingen 2009, ISBN 978-3-939291-04-6
  • The Church on the Way - the Apostolic Communities through the 20th Century. Bielefeld 2010, ISBN 978-3-939291-06-0
  • Frankfurt as reflected in the history of the Apostolic Communities. Steinhagen 2013, ISBN 978-3-939291-07-7
  • The Catholic Apostolic Congregations through the ages. Steinhagen 2014, ISBN 978-3-939291-10-7

Selection of literature or works by members of the Network of Apostolic History

  • Schmolz, Dominik: Brief history of the New Apostolic Church , Edition Punctum Saliens Verlag, Steinhagen 2013, ISBN 978-3-939291-08-4
  • Knowledge, Volker: Called to Freedom - A portrait of the Association of Apostolic Congregations and their member churches , Remscheid 2008, ISBN 978-3-86870-030-5
  • Diersmann, Edwin: You should recognize them by their fruits - The legacy of FW Schwarz , ReDi-Roma Verlag, 10.2007, ISBN 978-3-940450-20-3
  • Eberle, Mathias: The liturgy. - Devotional book for use in all services of the Christian Church. Hamburg, 1864. Annotated new edition with the changes to the second edition from 1894. , Nürtingen 2008, Edition Punctum Saliens Verlag
  • Knowledge, Volker: Theological developments of the Association of Apostolic Congregations (VAG) from 1956 to today. , Remscheid 2009, ISBN 978-3-940450-19-7
  • Diersmann, Edwin: The Church Split in the HAZEA Edition Punctum Saliens Verlag, Bielefeld 2011, ISBN 978-3-939291-05-3
  • Fadire, Peter: The work of Mr. ReDi-Roma Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-86870-308-5
  • Diersmann, Edwin: The Katholsk-Apostoliske Menighet in Norway Edition Punctum Saliens Verlag, Steinhagen 2015, ISBN 978-3-939291-09-1

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ www.ekd.de/ezw: Sixth annual conference of the "Network of Apostolic History"