Zurich. In the divine service on Pentecost Sunday, Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber will appoint a Chief Apostle Helper. “I would like to set an early course for the future,” stated the international Church leader, who will turn 65 this year. The date when he himself will retire remains open—perhaps in 2013 or 2014—however the work of a Chief Apostle Helper will already lighten his load quite perceptibly now.
Jean-Luc Schneider (52), who has served as District Apostle in France since September 2004, is to become Chief Apostle Helper. This appointment is scheduled to take place during the Pentecost divine service on 27 May 2012, for which all District Apostles and District Apostle Helpers, as well as all European Apostles, have been invited to Cologne. The divine service will be transmitted throughout the entire world by satellite and is open to all interested parties.
The Chief Apostle informed the District Apostles and District Apostle Helpers of this news in the context of a District Apostle Meeting which convened in Zurich from15-18 March. The Apostles around the world have also been informed.
Personal information
Jean-Luc Schneider was born on 18 September 1959. He has belonged to the New Apostolic Church since childhood, as his parents were already New Apostolic Christians. He is married and the father of two children. He has been a District Apostle since 26 September 2004 and, in addition to the District Church of France, is also responsible for leading numerous other District Churches such as Burundi, French Polynesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo-South East, and New Caledonia. The new Chief Apostle Helper Schneider will continue to be responsible for his current working area until further notice.
Concerning appointments
An appointment is the assignment of a firmly defined task. It is not to be equated with an ordination. The appointment can be limited in terms of both duration and location. In association with a ministry, the term “appointment” is understood as a commission to the task of congregational rector, district rector, District Apostle Helper, or Chief Apostle Helper. It is usually issued within the framework of a divine service.
Further information
23 March 2012