The document provides answers to frequently asked questions about the New Apostolic Church's position on the ordination of women. It explains that while uniformity is important, administrative decisions can accommodate regional differences in traditions and culture. The ordination of women is not rejected outright, but the District Apostle Area of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi has communicated it will not ordain women based on prevailing cultural factors. Salvation does not depend on these administrative changes, as doctrinal teachings around salvation remain uniform. The document aims to clarify misunderstandings and address concerns on these issues.

1. INTRODUCTION
In the recent past, the church has experienced a
challenging moment in the manner both members
and ministers have reacted to pronouncements
concerning the Concept of the Ministry II. This has
negatively affected the faith of some of our
members and ministers due to a lot of
misinformation which has led to the split and
formation of another Church among others. It is
against this background that this meeting desires to
explain on some of the Frequently Asked Questions.

2. Why did the Apostolate take so long to sensitise God’s
Children over the pronouncement of CA?
The District Apostle guided the Apostles and Bishop to engage God’s children on the
matter. This process could not be done like “in the nick of time” due to the following
reasons:
• The DA was out of the country at the time the pronouncement was made
• Apostles were occupied with their existing church programmes
• There was need first to find a date where all Apostles and Bishops for the DAA28
would be available for the special meeting. (Remember, a number of Apostles and
Bishops are serving on part-time basis)
The apparent delay was unfortunately feasted upon by the social media buzz that
created much anxiety in both ministers and children of God who tended to accept and
believe everything and anything they heard and read as gospel truth when in fact not.
The CA’s Pronouncement was made on 20th September, 2022 and an Adhoc meeting
of Apostles and Bishops for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi was called for and held
on 16th October, 2022 (i.e. in less than a month) to receive feedback from the
respective Apostle areas having earlier been requested to get views from ministers
and members, and subsequently determine the way forward vide the communique
issued on the same day.

3. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q2. NAC is known for its uniformity. Why is it that now
we have two policies by way of allowing some regions
going ahead with the ordination of women while DAA28
have rejected the same?
Ans: There are no two policies but one. An allowance for
discretionary application of a concept does not amount
to two policies.
• Dispensation of sacraments has continued uniformaly.
• The commission given to the Apostolate by the Lord
Jesus Christ to prepare the bride for His return is still in
effect.
• The oneness of the APOSTOLATE based on Christ’s
teachings and not in regional cultures and traditions is
still in effect.

4. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
 Suffice to say that what changes are traditions and culture because they are
regional and ethnic based. Notwithstanding these elements being dynamic and
different from time to time and place to place, they still, to some good extent,
accommodate the core doctrine of the church which is the basis for the unity
perceived in the NAC. Traditions in the old Testament and the New Testament have
continually been changing.
 Many of us can attest to the fact that traditions of 50 years ago are not the same as
at present. The DAA28 will not ordain women into ministry as communicated
because the prevailing traditions and culture do not permit, among other factors.
Let us bear in mind also that it is God Himself who designates people into ministry.
 How would you interpret the following statement made by Jesus at the well of
Jacob? “You worship what you do not know: we know what we worship: Salvation
is for the Jews.” John 4:22. The question is, “is this really what is obtaining even
today that salvation is exclusive to the Jews?? How did we become part of this
glorious work of salvation?

5. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
 The uniformity of the NAC is based on Doctrine (the
CREED) and not traditions and culture that may influence
administrative decisions. It is important for us to know
the difference between Doctrine and Traditions / Cultural
practices.
 The Doctrine is what Jesus taught us and has mandated
the Apostles and the disciples to go teach all nations.
 Traditions and Culture on the other hand are practices
that may or may not create a conducive environment for
the Word to prosper. Some in the early church used to
say “No circumcision, no salvation”. This tradition was
squashed by Chief Apostle Peter in Acts 15:1-29. Peter
pronounced that salvation is there for everyone, Jews
and gentiles, circumcised or not. Certainly, not everyone
accepted this new position. Here is a good news example
of a change in long held traditions and perception.

6. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q3. Why didn’t the resolution of Apostles and Bishops
clearly reject the ordination of women and even quote
Bible verses to support their position instead of saying
“not yet ready”?
Ans: As indicated in Q2, traditions change from time to
time. As such, it would have been too judgemental if the
apostles and bishops had issued such a response to the
CA’s pronouncement. Traditions and customs are never
constant. We have to be open minded when it comes to
decisions that border on culture/tradition. As matters
stand, there shall be no ordination of women into
ministry in the DAA28 hence, it may not be worthwhile
for us to expend our energies on this topic.

7. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q4. Why can’t the International Church get brothers from Africa to go
and serve where there is a deficiency in the number of brothers
available for placement into ministry instead of ordaining women?
Ans: The church, since time immemorial(even from the time of the
Levites), does take into account the prevailing cultures and traditions
of a given people. There are many traditions that vary from time to
time and place to place. One may not understand this statement until
he/she travels to some distant places and attends church services
there. Because of this, handpicking a minister from Africa to serve in,
let us say Europe/America, may breed confusion in the church because
their traditions/culture are at variance e.g. DAA28 has, as a peculiar
tradition, the Sisters’ Fellowship which is impractical to implement in
the western world. Cultural, language and racial differences are taken
very seriously in some societies. We are ordained to work within our
relatively familiar surroundings so that we can relate easily and
identify with a people of common traditions and cultures.

8. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q5. Since DAA28 has objected to the ordination of women,
what would happen if the Chief Apostle invited a female
minister to accompany him to DAA28,or if he called upon
such a “minister” to serve along during the transmission
service?
Ans: The CA is aware of the stand of the DAA28 on the issue.
He wouldn’t bring along a woman minister in an area he
knows such are not welcome because it would be as good as
that area ordaining one. Moreover, he is guided by the Holy
Spirit. He will always do what is right in the Lord’s vineyard.
Transmission services are beyond us. God would certainly not
impute sin against anyone for simply having listened to a
woman utter the word of God in its purity. “It is what comes
out of one that defiles him.” cf. Matthew 15:18-19

9. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q6. What would be the position of the DAA28 if a female
Chief Apostle were to be ordained especially that the
western countries are clearly championing this cause and are
leading decision makers in the NAC?
Ans: We don’t see that happening in the near future or simply
in our life time since the concept has not been universally(i.e.
100%) accepted. The possibility may only be when
culture/traditions, especially in Africa, welcome such and
should the same concept still be in existence then;
administrative decisions are occasionally subject to change.
Let us not have the fear of the unknown. Allow God’s will to
prevail and let us keep faith. The Lord unwaveringly loves and
cares for His work more that we do ourselves!

10. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q7. Why does the Church not clearly condemn homosexuality as sin
but is accused of allowing ministers to “go and bless them at home in
other countries”?
Ans: It is not true that ministers bless homosexual unions. The Church
condemns homosexuality as sin as per the scriptures but not the
individuals(sinners) involved just as it condemns all other types of sin
but not the sinners. Jesus said that He came for sinners and not the
righteous. Every soul, however sinful it may be perceived to be is
entitled to pastoral care and love. It is in this understanding that the
NAC doesn’t exclude homosexuals from receiving the word( and care)
of God which has the power to change us all for the better. They are
sinners just like all of us are and equally NEED Jesus Christ as Savour.
Suffice to say DAA28 does not subscribe to LGBT. The Law of the land is
equally against such practices. The C/A was elaborate on this matter in
the video which some tried to manipulate by cutting out some salient
parts so as to accuse him of supporting homosexuality.

11. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q8. Is salvation only in the New Apostolic Church and not in
any other Christian denominations?
Ans: Salvation may be found in all Christian Churches that
teach the apostolic doctrine. It is the Apostolic doctrine that
leads us to salvation. What is unique for the NAC, however,
among other doctrinal distinctions, is the act of Holy sealing
which confirms that our names have been written in the
Lamb’s book of life and completes the process of BEING BORN
AGAIN thereby allowing us to participate in the Rapture. We
are convinced about our faith in the doctrine of the New
Apostolic Church through which we are prepared for the
Lord Jesus Christ’s return. It is not our mandate to talk about
other faiths/churches in any way.

12. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q9. Why is NAC Zambia registered as a Limited Company?
Ans: The New Apostolic Church is not a commercial company formed for a
business but for a religious purpose. It rests upon an appropriate law: Limited
Company by Guarantee Not by Shares hence not for profit.
There are several churches, associations, charitable organizations, clubs,
NGOs etc. which have chosen to exit by this Law of Limited Company by
Guarantee for the safety of the membership. The main advantage is that the
Church formed becomes a separate legal entity in the sense that members
will never be liable for the liabilities of the organization. If the church incurred
foreseen or unforeseen liability to either an individual or any institution, the
creditors/claimant will only deal with the church’s assets not the members in
order to recover their debts/claims.
That is why it is called Limited Company By Guarantee.

13. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q10. To what extent did the CA consult when
he decided to for the ordination of women
which has now made the church split?
Ans: The topic has been discussed widely by the
District Apostles and their Helpers as far back as
the time of Chief Apostle Fehr. This means that
thorough consultations had been taken place
before the pronouncement was made.

14. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q11. Who has the power to correct the Chief
Apostle when he is wrong or he just does
whatever he decides?
Ans: The District Apostles are the Chief Apostle’s
advisors but he also uses special NAC theologians
for advice. Apart from that, he is led by the
revelations of the Holy Spirit by virtue of the
ministry he holds. He is not completely on his own.

15. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q12. Why are we regarded as volunteers in church and not members
according to the New Apostolic Church International?
Ans: Members of the church including ministers do not get paid for the
services they render for the love of their God but faithfully await
eternal reward on the Day of the Lord’s return. A volunteer is one who
enters into, or offers himself/herself for, any service of their own free
will without pay. Membership is by Baptism and Holy Sealing as per
the Articles of Association filed at the PACRA when the church was
being registered. It is for this reason that Membership Form/Cards are
filled-in at Holy Sealing and then sent to Church Office for entry into
the Church’s global membership register/database, OASYS III. When a
member dies, a Death Notice form is filled by the respective
congregation and sent with monthly returns to Church Office for
amendment in the register/database. Resignations from the church are
also treated the same way. Please note that even the register at the
local congregation is equally kept uptodate. For NACI see the next slide.

16. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
• NEW APOSTOLIC CHURCH INTERNATIONAL
(NACI). Some of our members read just part of
Article 4.1 on Membership of NACI which states:
‘Members of NACI are the active Chief Apostle,
District Apostles and Apostles of the New
Apostolic Church throughout the world’.
Unfortunately, this was misunderstood to mean
that other children of God(including Bishops and
retired Apostles) were not members of the
church, when in fact they are.

17. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
• Our Church Headquarters is in Zurich -Switzerland where
it was required by law to register.
• For international recognition, our church had to register NACI with the
Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich to indicate that the New
Apostolic church is a global church being represented by District Apostles
and Apostles in their Regional District Churches.
• Therefore, NACI is like an Association of the leadership of the New
Apostolic Church worldwide at an Apostle level.
• A New Apostolic member only becomes a member of the NACI upon being
ordained to an Apostle ministry.
• The main purpose of having NACI is to cultivate, foster and preserve the
spiritual unity of all Apostles of the New Apostolic Churches in all
countries of the world with the Chief Apostle and among themselves.

18. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q13. What will go wrong if these changes were
to be reversed or not implemented?
Ans: Nothing will go wrong if the current
pronouncements are reversed. But there may be
no compelling global reasons for reversing the
decision right now since it’s application is
conditional.

19. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
Q14. To what extent do these changes aid us in
preparing for the return of Christ? Will our
salvation be affected if these changes were not
implemented?
Ans: Not really since they are purely
administrative, our salvation is not much
affected by traditions/culture. However,
traditions/culture may create environments that
are either favourable or not that favourable for
the propagation of the gospel.

20. FAQs – CONCEPT OF THE MINISTRY II
THANK YOU!!!