3 Ministry

A spiritual ministry constitutes authorisation, blessing, and

sanctification issued through ordination for service in the church of
Christ. It is exercised in the power of the Holy Spirit. [2] A ministry
comprises ministerial authority as well as a ministerial mandate. The
ministerial authority is of a theological nature, the ministerial
mandate is of a canonical nature.

3.1 Ministerial order

From its beginnings, the New Apostolic Church has understood itself
as a church of ministry. It is led by the apostolate. All other
ministries come forth out of the Apostle ministry. Today there are
three ordained ministries in the New Apostolic Church, each with
different spiritual powers: the Apostle ministry, the Priest ministry,
and the Deacon ministry. [3] The Chief Apostle who exercises the
Petrine office and the administration of the authority of the keys is
ordained to his special service.

3.2 Ministerial authority

Ministerial authority constitutes the right to act and speak in the
name of the triune God, which is founded upon Jesus Christ and
issued through the apostolate by way of ordination in the power of
the Holy Spirit.

Ministerial authority is issued through ordination. It ends when the

Apostle accepts the resignation of the minister, the minister is
dismissed from his ministry, or at the time of the minister’s death.

3.3 Ordination of ministers

Ordination is the investiture of a spiritual ministry. It is performed in
the name of the triune God by the apostolate through laying on of
hands and prayer. Authority, sanctification, and blessings are
imparted in the ordination.

3.3.1 Ordination: Procedure

The designation for a ministry is not based upon human will but
upon the divine will. It is the task of the Apostles to recognise God’s
will and act in accordance with it in order to equip the congregations
and districts with the necessary ministerial gifts in accordance with
their respective needs and demands.

Proposals for ordination into a ministry should be submitted to the

Apostles or District Apostles by the congregational and district
leaders. Where possible, proposals for ordination into the Priest
ministry should provide references about the candidate’s ability to
regularly preach the word of God in a divine service.

Once a decision has been made about the ordination, the leading
ministers of the congregation or the district arrange a meeting to
discuss the ordination with the candidate. In this meeting, the
prerequisites for the ministry and the duties related to it are
discussed. To conclude the meeting, the candidate is asked whether
he or she is prepared to assume the ministry. If possible, the partner
of the candidate for ordination is also involved in the meeting.

3.3.2 Ordination: Sequence and

recommended wording
3.3.2.1 Liturgical position in the divine service
The ordination takes place following the celebration of Holy
Communion. If several acts are planned, they are performed in the
following sequence:

 retirement, termination of an appointment or assignment

bound to a ministry
 ordination, appointment, assignment, reinstatement
  termination of, or assignment to, a service that is not bound to
a ministry
 engagement blessing, wedding blessing, wedding anniversary
blessing.
3.3.2.2 Execution
The ordination is performed by an Apostle.

Address

The following content is recommended:

Deacon ministry

 Deacons are designated by God for their ministry. [4]

 Personal gifts are blessed and sanctified for service in the
Church.
 Within the framework of their ministerial mandate, Deacons
receive the authority to
o properly proclaim the word of God and
o dispense the Trinitarian blessing (benediction).
 They are now part of the ministerial body of the respective
congregation and district, and can be entrusted with duties
corresponding to their ministry within this area
 They are called to serve God and their neighbour out of love
and with their gifts, and to publicly profess their faith.
 They are to exemplify a lifestyle oriented to the gospel. [5]
Priest ministry

 Priests are designated by God for their ministry.[6]

 They are blessed and sanctified to their priestly service.
 In addition to the powers conferred upon ordination to the
Deacon ministry[7] they receive the ministerial authority to
o dispense the sacrament of Holy Baptism with water,
o dispense the sacrament of Holy Communion,
 o pronounce the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus
Christ in the commission of their sender, the Apostle.
 They are able to perform acts of blessing such as
confirmations, weddings, and funerals.
Vow

The congregation is asked to rise. The Apostle asks the minister to

be ordained a question to the following effect:

“I now ask you before God and the congregation: Are you prepared
to accept the ministry of a (Deacon/Priest) in the congregation (…)
and to exercise it in faithfulness to God, in oneness with the
apostolate, and in accordance with the regulations of the Church?

Will you align your conduct of life with the gospel of Jesus Christ,
serve those entrusted to you in the New Apostolic faith – as it comes
to expression in the Creed – in humbleness and love for God and
your neighbour? Then vow this with a yes!”

Prayer (with epiclesis[8])

The prayer can include the following:

 the plea for God’s blessing upon this vow

 the plea for strength and the ability to keep this vow and fulfil
the duties associated with the ministry
 the plea to God the Holy Spirit to grant blessing, sanctification,
and authority
Act

The ministry is received while the candidate kneels before the altar.
The Apostle then lays his or her hands on the head of the minister to
be ordained and speaks the following words:

“In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
receive the Deacon/Priest ministry. Receive from the apostolate of
Jesus Christ the authority, sanctification, and blessing required to
fulfil all of the duties associated with this ministry in the power of
the Holy Spirit.”

Thereafter the powers associated with the respective ministry are

specifically stated.

“Receive the authority…

 (Deacon ministry): …to properly proclaim the word of God and

dispense the Trinitarian blessing at the end of the divine
service.”
 (Priest ministry): …to perform Holy Baptism with water and to
consecrate and dispense Holy Communion, as well as to
proclaim the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus Christ
and in the commission of your sender, the Apostle. In addition,
you are now authorised to perform ecclesiastical acts of
blessing.”
Further words of blessing and sanctification for the minister can
follow thereafter:

 May God awaken, strengthen, and multiply the available gifts,

and impart additional strengths.[9]
 With the ministry, which is holy, God grants the minister a
share of His holiness. Holy acts can be performed in the power
of the Holy Spirit.[10]
 Proclaim and stand up for the gospel of Christ. Look after the
believers entrusted to you for pastoral care, be an example to
them, and promote their faith. Accompany them in prayer even
in the pressures of natural life.[11]
 Contribute to the joy of those entrusted to your care and never
consider yourself to be a lord over their faith. [12]
 May the joy of the Lord always be your strength. [13]
 The angels of the Lord accompany you on all your ways.

Mandatory conclusion:
“The blessing of God accompany you. The peace of the Risen One
be with you. Amen.”

Photo 1: Ordination

1 Timothy 3: 8–13
[6]
Fifth Article of Faith
[7]
If the minister has never exercised the ministry of a Deacon before, the powers inherent in
the Deacon ministry must also be conferred upon him or her.
[8]
Invocation of the Holy Spirit
[9]
CNAC-QA
[10]
CNAC-QA
[11]
CNAC-QA
[12]
2 Corinthians 1: 24
[13]
Nehemiah 8: 10
3.4 Ministerial mandate
A distinction must be made between ministerial authority and the
ministerial mandate. In the ministerial mandate ministers are given
the right and responsibility to fulfil their tasks in the ministerial
authority they have received, within a framework that is limited in
terms of both duration and location.
The ministerial mandate ends when the minister moves outside the
area for which his or her mandate applies, when he or she retires,
after the Apostle accepts his or her resignation, when the minister is

dismissed from his or her ministry, or dies.

3.4.1 Ministerial mandate: Working

area
Upon ordination, ministers receive the mandate to exercise their

ministry within a firmly defined territorial framework.

3.4.2 Ministerial mandate: Exercising a

ministry outside of the working area
In special cases it is also possible for ministers to exercise their
ministry outside of their own working area. This might include
conducting a divine service, dispensing sacraments, or performing
acts of blessing or funerals, or providing pastoral care to the sick.
The agreement of the responsible District Apostles or Apostles must

be secured.

3.16 Prerequisites for a ministry

It is God Himself who designates an individual for a ministry. Thus
the ministry is not a human work, nor is it ultimately that of the
congregation. Rather it is God’s gift to His church. A person bears
his or her ministry on the basis of divine will and not human
decision. Although ministers are chosen by God, it may nevertheless
happen that they do not live up to the demands of their ministry or
even fail in it. Nevertheless, this does not call into question the
original call of God.[22]
The ministries are independent of the character of the persons who
bear them. Upon ordination, the gifts which ordained ministers
possess as individuals are placed into the service of the
congregation through blessing and sanctification. They can develop
further in the course of one’s ministerial exercise, and other gifts
and talents may also be revealed. The character and gifts of the
persons ordained as ministers should be suited to managing the
powers issued in the ordination in an appropriate manner. If the
required conditions are not present, it cannot be assumed that any
lacking talents will be compensated by the ordination.

[22]
CNAC 2.4.5 The Fifth Article of Faith

3.16.1 Self-conception of the minister

The Catechism describes the self-conception of the Apostles.
[23]
Remarks to similar effect also apply to every minister ordained
by the Apostle. Since “authority, blessing, and sanctification for their
(the ministers’) ministration” come forth out of the Apostle ministry,
every minister stands in an indissoluble relationship to the Apostle
ministry.[24]
As servants of God, the ministers provide pastoral care to those
entrusted to them, and treat each of them in accordance with the
commandment to love their neighbour.
[23]
CNAC 7.6.3
[24]
CNAC 2.4.5 The Fifth Article of Faith

3.16.2 Prerequisites for a ministry: The

Creed
Ministers always receive their ministry together with the direction
that it is to be exercised on the basis of the New Apostolic Creed.
This presupposes that the ministers are familiar with the contents of
the Creed and that they identify with it. The believer is entitled to
experience the doctrine in binding fashion through the activity of
the ministers. If a minister advocates beliefs that contradict the New
 Apostolic Creed, he or she cannot exercise a ministry. This is to be
made clear to every future minister during the meeting at which the
ordination is discussed.

Appendix: Competency profiles

Competency profile for the Deacon ministry
Competency profile for the Priest ministry
Competency profile for congregational rectors
Competency profile for district rectors
Competency profile for teachers
Competency profile for youth leaders

Competency profile for the Deacon

ministry
1 Core duties: Deacons have the ministerial authority to properly proclaim the word of God and
dispense the Trinitarian blessing in the divine service. They support the Priests in
pastoral care. Beyond that, Deacons can also perform other spiritual services in the
congregation.

2 Personal prerequisites:  Age of majority

 Advocates the New Apostolic Creed
 Well-ordered economic and personal circumstances
 Regular divine service attendance
 Acceptance in the congregation
 Sufficient free time for pastoral care
 Willingness to participate in ministers’ meetings and Church training events
3 Spiritual competencies:  Knowledge of the basic principles of the New Apostolic faith
 Knowledge of the Bible
 Knowledge of the liturgy of the divine services
 Authentic life of faith
4 Personal competencies:  Ability and willingness to serve along in a divine service
  Unprejudiced approach to the members of the congregation and guests
 Discretion in confidential matters
 Conciliatory attitude
 Reliability

Not all of the competencies listed need to be present before the

ministry is assumed. These can also be acquired in the course of the
exercise of ministry.

3.16.5 Prerequisites for a ministry:

Lifestyle
3.16.5.1 Matrimony
Marriage is the lifelong union between a man and woman desired by
God, upon which His blessing rests. It also forms the foundation for
the family. It is based on a free and voluntary public expression of
fidelity by both partners. Mutual love and fidelity are indispensable
factors in the success of a marriage. God’s blessing is an important
and valuable foundation for marriage and family life. [25]

A monogamous marriage is a divine institution and not only a

human institution. A polygamous marriage, that is marriage with
multiple spouses, is not in accordance with Christian teaching and
values. The fact that God has explicitly anchored the protection of
marriage within the Ten Commandments underscores the
importance and value of marriage as a divine institution. [26]

The activity of the minister does not require him or her to be

married, however, a minister is expected to credibly profess
matrimony as a Christian standard for the union between man and
woman. In their matrimony, married ministers should thus
endeavour to practise the Christian values of

 genuine love,
 serious commitment,
  enduring fidelity, and
 mutual support.
3.16.5.2 Cohabitation
While taking into consideration the traditional, cultural, and social
circumstances, the District Apostle issues regulations governing the
situation of ministers who live in civil partnerships.

If a Deacon is cohabitating with his or her partner, the Apostle,

Bishop, or district rector will assess the situation at the direction of
the District Apostle, and make a decision as to whether it is possible
for him or her to continue in the exercise of his or her ministry. The
Church has particular expectations concerning the conduct of life of
a priestly minister. If a priestly minister is cohabiting with a partner,
the District Apostle should assess the situation and make a decision
and, if need be, delegate this to the responsible Apostle.

[25]
CNAC 13.3
[26]
CNAC 13.3.1

3.17 Initiation into ministry,

appointment, or service
As soon as possible after their ordination, appointment, or
assignment, ministers should be familiarised with the associated
duties. The District Apostle will issue the necessary regulations for
this purpose.