Divine services and devotionals: concerts, presentations, podium discussions, workshops, and also exhibitions and participation actions - the offer is enormous; time, however, is limited. The spirit magazine helps to orientate by providing an overview of events at the International Youth Convention (IYC). The third part of this series looks at the topics being covered in lectures and podium discussions in Halls 7a and 8a.

Workshops won’t only be taking place in the Empowerment Center. Visitors will find a wide choice of presentations, workshops and podium discussions on numerous topics in Halls 7a and 8a, and even more in the Congress Center Düsseldorf (CCD).

Halls 7a and 8a – presentations and podium discussions

Podium discussions: the largest crowd will certainly be drawn to the podium discussion with the Chief Apostle on Saturday, where the theme will be Here we are! The youth, the church, God and the world.

A further podium discussion will take place on Friday with District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum i.r.about humanitarian aid by our church. On Saturday a discussion concerning partnerships will follow, with Bishop Gerd Kisselbach.

Presentations: How did the Divine Service Guide come into being and how should best use be made of it? The Apostles Jürgen Loy and Jens Lindemann will discuss these questions in their presentation. There will also be presentations on historical issues, such as the split between the Apostolic church and the Catholic –Apostolic congregations, or the beginning of the Catechism. A biologist will consider biblical statements from a natural science viewpoint, Apostle Ralph Wittich will give speak on sin and guilt and the retired District Apostle Armin Brinkmann will answer the question of missionary work and how it really starts. District Apostle Jürg Zbinden and Apostle Gerd Opdenplatz will hold a presentation on the founding of the Apostle ministry and serving in the church, and the theological adviser to the Chief Apostle, Evangelist Reinhard Kiefer, will compare the changes in the 2017 edition of the Luther Bible with the previous edition.

The Congress Center Düsseldorf

The CCD is the central meeting place for the workshops and presentations, and also for podium discussions and concerts.

Music: Gospel and pop music will be provided by the choir, B-WARE. Six young singers have formed an a capella choir, the KeinChor, with music ranging from classic to modern and from folk music to pop.

The question: Where is God in your life? Will be answered musically and the pianist, Jan Hausdorf, improvises under the motto
S(w) to the Lord a new song, with music chosen by the audience.

A youth band from Zurich will also perform and a female a capella group of the Russian and Asian youth will present the sounds from their home countries.

If you prefer to sing yourself, instead of just listening, here’s your chance, with Steffen Hause in a community singing session.

Podium discussions: An ex-crystal meth consumer, a youth delegate and a police officer talk about drug prevention. Other discussions concern themselves with religious topics; for instance the New Apostolic stance to things of the future, changes in the religious landscape, Catholic and New Apostolic commonalities, or the church model in Germany and in Europe. Podium discussions will also look at ethics, organ transplants, conspiracy theories and motives and options for ecumenism. The discussions will be hosted by well-known experts, such as Dr. Kai Funkschmidt, from the German Protestant Centre for World Ideology (Evangelischen Zentralstelle für Weltanschauungsfragen).

Workshops: Experiences abroad, stress management, renewable energy, questions of relationships, combining a career with engagement in the church, and experiencing God, experiences of faith, the value of faith and the difference between sin and guilt are just some of the issues which are on the workshops programme.

Presentations: Alone in heaven? Apostle Jörg Steinbrenner will use this title to speak about our interpretation of heaven and eternal fellowship with God, and will be followed by a discussion session. Over many years, the idea was embossed that this was primarily available to New Apostolic Christians. How have relationships with other Christians, the Church of Christ and the implication of salvation changed?

Many of the presentations will be on questions of Christianity or ethics. For instance, about faith and uncertainty, leadership in a Christian sense, strategies for reconciliation, the New Apostolic comprehension of life after death, the proof of God, the liturgy, knowledge of the Bible, or the presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. The philosopher, Dr. Emanuel Rutten, speaks about arguments for God’s existence, while another presentation discusses freedom, as in the Epistle to the Romans. Apostle Wolfgang Schug explains why church ministry instruction is helpful and necessary. Apostle Jens Korbien talks, in two presentations, firstly about the Revelation of John and secondly about the return of Christ, the great affliction and the return of the Lord in power and glory. Apostle Jens Lindemann explains the four-fold writings of the Scriptures.

If you are more interested in practical aspects of life, there will be more than enough choice between talks about presenting yourself in your career and in your private life, ideas for stable relationships, pre-conditions for social work, sexuality and family planning, conflict management, or job application training.

Those with scientific or historical interests can listen to talks about bio-technology and modern medicine, the beginning of the New Apostolic Church, or 2,000 years of Holy Communion.

Text freely translated from: "Spirit – the young magazine for New Apostolic Christians", edition no. 02|19, pages 26 - 31 © Verlag Friedrich Bischoff GmbH, Neu-Isenburg

The magazine “Spirit” has been publishing news about the International Youth Convention since March 2017 under the heading “IYC Countdown.