Church Activities

This information relates to the activities of the New Apostolic Church District of Zambia. This has been restricted to selected areas of our church activities. An attempt has been made to provide an objective of the practical, rather than the theoretical, aspects of the church activities in our District.

 

While we are thankful that there are thriving congregations in Zambia we ascribe whatever success we have made, firstly, to the selfless dedication of the pioneers, especially at a time when resentment and opposition to the establishment of the work of God in our country was more often than not.

 

We also want to recognize the fiery zeal, with which their successors have upheld that legacy. The District Apostles Andrew James Fernandes and Duncan Burton Mfune, my predecessors, have upheld the legacy. With the help of God, together with my fellow labourers in the work of God, we desire not only to uphold, but to also build upon this legacy. The emphasis from the very beginning was upon laying a sound and firm foundation. Our fathers of faith got to work with clear minds and with God’s blessing blazed the trail. Then, as now, the core message of the gospel of salvation, as exemplified in the Apostle doctrine, is the same.

 

Foreword

What the District Apostle's thoughts on various activities in the church are...

 

Sunday School

Showing activities that our Sunday school children are involved in

 

Religious Instructions

These are young members that have graduated from Sunday school and are preparing to go into nconfirmation classes.

 

Confirmation

Young members undergoing confirmation lessons and the activities they are involved in...

 

Young People

After confirmation, at 15 years of age, the youth are encouraged by the parents, youth leaders and the administration brothers to join youth activities until they attain 35 years of age, even if they get married. The following are the activities in which the youth in Zambia, are involved: Choir, testifying, helping the aged, helping the sick and taking part in community based activities, such as cleaning church surroundings and maintenance of chapels.

 

Choir Activities

The choir and orchestra and the various activities they are incolved in

 

Congregational Activities

Find out the various activities in congregations in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe

 

Ministers' Seminars

Ministers take part in a lot of seminars to prepare them adequately in their various ministries

 

Church Activities - Foreword

This information relates to the activities of the New Apostolic Church District of Zambia. This has been restricted to selected areas of our church activities. An attempt has been made to provide an objective of the practical, rather than the theoretical, aspects of the church activities in our District.

 

While we are thankful that there are thriving congregations in Zambia we ascribe whatever success we have made, firstly, to the selfless dedication of the pioneers, especially at a time when resentment and opposition to the establishment of the work of God in our country was more often than not. We also want to recognize the fiery zeal, with which their successors have upheld that legacy. The District Apostles Andrew James Fernandes and Duncan Burton Mfune, my predecessors, have upheld the legacy. With the help of God, together with my fellow labourers in the work of God, we desire not only to uphold, but to also build upon this legacy.

 

The emphasis from the very beginning was upon laying a sound and firm foundation. Our fathers of faith got to work with clear minds and with God’s blessing blazed the trail.  Then, as now, the core message of the gospel of salvation, as exemplified in the Apostle doctrine, is the same.

 

From their experiences and our own, we have come to believe that the role of leaders in any given community is crucial and good leadership can make a difference between success and failure and sometimes between success and great success.  We have been persuaded to bring in a cadre of leadership supported by organs that are capable of producing desired results. Since leaders are not easy to come by, fervent prayers are always needed so that the Lord can show us the men he has chosen.

 

It is imperative that the choice of leaders is made on the basis of merit. Merit connotes not only ability but integrity and devotion to duty. Obviously, a good leader will act responsibly. He will lead by example. Leading has more to do with doing and practicing what one talks about. He must be capable of teaching, guiding and inspiring. He must utilize his gifts and talents for the benefit of the brethren and the church. He should not be arrogant and cynical. He should have a broad outlook, believe in and recognize the intrinsic worth and dignity of those he is charged to work with. He should not be seen to work from an ivory tower (position of superiority). The artificial differences such as race, colour, culture, upbringing, education, wealth etc, should not only be avoided but also discouraged, at all costs. It would be unhelpful in any case because it only engenders resentment, frustration and lethargy. Rather, unity in diversity should be promoted.

 

The other important consideration is management by objectives. There has to be a clear vision. People must work towards achieving set goals. They must know what to do and when. In other words, there has to be a plan and also division of labour. The Priests and Deacons must have set goals to be achieved.

 

Let me refer to the text that District Apostle Mfune used in a similar edition:- For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;

 

To those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God but under law toward Christ) that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men that I might by all means win some.  Now, this I do for the gospel’s sake that I may partake of it with you.(1 Corinthians 9 : 19-23). The Same Paul says: "I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of God by Faith: Philippians 3 : 8-9.

 

At that level of understanding Paul is happy to lose all things for the sake of Christ. He was ready to stop eating meat if it made his brother to offend (1 Corinthians 8 : 13). Such level of understanding cannot be acquired instantly. It is preceded by in depth soul searching and maturity.

 

Where there is a system that is well known, success may be achieved. As the old saying goes, the devil is in the details; success is in the system. We therefore continue to lay systems that are easy to understand at all levels of our operations.

 

Most times, by treating people as if they were what they ought to be, you help them to become what they are capable of being or doing.The positive approach has enabled us to achieve some progress.

It is important to know that there are limits to what one may know and do as no tree grows to the sky. We must therefore always be ready to learn although we may not like to be taught. We therefore appreciate the helping hands that our Heavenly Father has availed us.

 

The contents in this page are not exhaustive, but it is my sincere hope and prayer that it will serve as a useful tool for reference purposes.

I wish you all richest blessings from God.


Charles S. Ndandula
District Apostle

 

Church Activities - Sunday School

Recruitment of Sunday school Children

In Zambia, the Sunday school Children are recruited through their parents noting that the children’s entry into Sunday school, is based on parental love and faith.

Sunday school in Zambia lasts for 4 years beginning at the national age entry into the formal school thus:

  • Year 1 age 07 years
  • Year 2 age 08 years
  • Year 3 age 09 years
  • Year 4 age 10 years

Love and faith of the parents and teachers, are the motivating factors in the teaching of Sunday school children. The Sunday school syllabus is based on the 4 year programme as published by Verlag in Frankfurt. The Sunday school teachers use local languages and English as the medium of instruction.

 

Apart from the lessons the children also learn some hymns. One can find Sunday school choirs in most congregations. These children’s choirs are given an opportunity to sing occasionally in divine services alongside the main choir. Special Divine Services for Sunday school children are conducted twice per term (at the beginning and end of term).

 

Outings for Sunday school children are made occasionally. Alongside lessons, Sunday school Children also learn poems and sketches which they perform and recite at gatherings occasionally. Sunday school lessons are taught according to circumstances in the congregation. Lessons are held mainly at weekends for duration not exceeding one (1) hour.

 

Recruitment of Sunday school Children

In both urban and rural areas, brothers and sisters with special qualities and talents are assigned to teach Sunday school.

 

Church Activities - Religious Instructions

The Religious Instructions Programme lasts for 2 years from age 11-12. The new teaching material from Verlag has been adopted, replacing the old syllabus.

A similar approach used in Sunday school is used for teaching the children in Religious Instructions Classes.

 

Church Activities - Confirmation Instructions

The Children enter confirmation at the age of 13 until they are confirmed at the age of 15 years.

The confirmands are taught by church ministers, as well as brothers and sisters.

The teaching is carried out according to circumstances prevailing in the congregation, and this is done mainly at weekends.

 

Church Activities - Young People

After confirmation, at 15 years of age, the youth are encouraged by the parents, youth leaders and the administration brothers to join youth activities until they attain 35 years of age, even if they get married.

 

Youth activities

 

The following are the activities in which the youth in Zambia, are involved:

Choir, testifying, helping the aged, helping the sick and taking part in community based activities, such as cleaning church surroundings and maintenance of chapels.

The Youth attend youth meetings, youth divine services, once every month apart from December. During special days for the youth, the young people take part in games, sports, sketches and poems and end the day with a choral concert. A special Day of the Youth is arranged in every Apostle’s working area once in a year.

 

All the above activities are common both in rural and urban areas. Occasionally, during the day of the youth, those in urban congregations, go to rural centers and vice-versa. All these are opportunities for them to get together and know each other as brothers and sisters. The challenges, successes and experiences of the youth in these activities generate interest that keeps the youth active in the church. Expenses for these activities including funding for transport, food and accommodation for the day of the Youth are met by the youth themselves.

 

Church Activities - Choir Activities

In order to give guidance to the choirs in their important work, and to promote standardization and uniformity in singing, an organizational chart is in place and facilitates the administration of choir activities.

 

Other than the technical relationships shown on the organizational chart, the choir leaders have the spiritual support and guidance from their respective leaders. The National Chairman gets instructions for the choir work from the District Apostle who happens to be musically talented as well. In carrying out the choir programme received from the National Chairman, the Regional Choir Teachers and their assistants liaise closely with the apostles of the regions while the District Choir Teachers and congregational choir teachers liaise with the District Leaders and congregational Rectors, respectively.

 

Training of choir teachers

Qualified music teachers who are members of the New Apostolic Church train choir teachers. Seminars are held to teach junior choir instructors on how to read music and interpret it.

 

Promotion of choir practices

Choir members at congregational levels, meet twice during weekdays for one hour in the evenings and once at the weekend for 2 hours 30 minutes, In the rural areas the arrangement is the same, except that they meet in the afternoons instead of evenings.

 

In addition to congregational choirs, there exists a ‘special choir’ which is a small group of selected voices at Regional or National level. These groups are meant to sing during special gatherings.

 

How the Choirs are taught

Choir practices begin and end with a prayer by an administration brother available.

Choir teachers teach the members phrase-by-phrase and voice-by-voice, and members learn by memorizing because most of them cannot read music. The choir members then sing back to demonstrate that they have mastered the phrases until harmony is achieved. However, before teaching begins, the words and meaning of the hymns are explained.

At the next choir session (practice), the choir will first go through the previous hymns, to ensure that they have not forgotten the hymns they learnt in the previous sessions.

 

Song books in use

The following song books are used:

  • New Apostolic Hymnal (NAH)
  • New Apostolic Hymn Collection
  • German Collection
  • Canadian Hymn Book
  • Male Choir Book
  • Messiah : By G.F. Handel
  • Creation : By Joseph Haydn
  • Locally composed hymns approved by the District Apostle.

 

Most hymns are translated into local languages. This makes it easier for the choir members and the congregation to understand and appreciate the meaning of the hymns.

Committees are in existence to translate hymns into local languages.

 

Choir members are not auditioned prior to joining the choir and membership is open to all ages. It is the duty of the choir-teachers to train these members.

 

Musical Instruments

In some congregations, the organ and the orchestra accompany the choirs. In some cases Choir-teachers use pitch pipes where there is no organ or orchestra. However, organists and orchestra members have to be taught on how to read music before handling the instruments. The teaching is done in-house.

 

Church Activities - Congregational Activities

During testifying visits, which usually occur after working hours, by appointment, three days during the week and on Saturdays, the Administration Brothers and their helpers explain the New Apostolic doctrine to the guests and potential guests to our services.

 

The guests who attend our services and show willingness to learn more about our doctrine are invited to the “adoption classes” which often take place after the Sunday Service. These classes are usually conducted by the Congregational Rector, or his assistant, basing them on the Bible and other relevant New Apostolic literature.

 

When the guests show consistency in attending services for “three months” and show sincere “willingness” to embrace the doctrine they have been taught during this period, the District Leaders adopt them in a divine service.

 

Care for the members

Many dangers threaten the faith life of God’s children after they are sealed. To avoid losing the members to these dangers, the priestly ministers and the assistants make regular family visits to the members in the sections assigned to them.

 

During these visits the sealed members are also invited to bring their talents into God&lrquo;s work. Those with less desirable traits are tactfully, accordingly advised, taking care not to offend anyone.

 

Family Gatherings

Apart from divine services, family gatherings are held at monthly intervals at congregational level during which time, experiences of faith are shared.

 

Leaders teach on various aspects of the doctrine of the church. Topics such as General Offering, Thanks Giving, and Departed Offerings are discussed. Bible references are made and read during these gatherings. Members take an active part in the open discussions.

 

Weddings and Funerals

Fellowship among members is extended to special occasions such as weddings and funerals, which help to foster oneness among the members and help to attract new members.

 

Building of Chapels

Members are actively involved in the building of modern chapels on self-help basis in all the Apostle working areas. This encourages unity and commitment among the members, and serves to attract new members, as well. This is an area in which sisters have excelled through approved fund-raising activities such as tea parties and luncheons. In some cases in rural areas, members work on farms to raise funds for building chapels.

 

Before such a chapel is built on self-help, a plan is provided by Church Office. The church&lrquo;s Civil Engineer supervises the actual building. In all, the Church Office supplements the completion of the chapel.

 

Church Activities - Teaching/Seminars for Priestly Ministries

The New Apostolic Church “Manual 1 for Ministers’ Seminar” is used including the current “Guide for the Ministers of the New Apostolic Church.”

 

The New Apostolic Church: “Guideline: Serving and Leading in the New Apostolic Church for all those entrusted to lead.” It is also in use to leaders, both in urban and rural areas.

 

The Apostles organize one-day seminars once a year for District Leaders in their areas. The District Leaders in turn organize similar seminars in their respective areas, at least once a year.

 

The “Word of Life” from Verlag, is translated from English to six (6) local languages for those leaders who cannot understand English.