“I am truly delighted,” said Apostle Arne Herrmann, ecumenical officer of the New Apostolic Church International. “Following our previous status as an associate member, this is a significant step forward for which we are very grateful.”

“On the one hand, this marks the culmination of the ecumenical journey the New Apostolic Church embarked upon many years ago,” explained Reverend Christopher Easthill, who chairs the Council of Churches in Germany. “At the same time, we are continuing our joint ecumenical journey towards the visible unity of the churches within an even broader and stronger community.”

“We regard full membership both as an encouragement and a commitment: that of contributing to reconciled unity within the diversity of the church of Christ,” added Apostle Herrmann. Formal admission will be celebrated during a divine service at the general assembly in September.

With the New Apostolic Church, the CCC in Germany now comprises 21 churches, four associate members, and five organisations with observer status. The focus of the CCC is on theological dialogue, a commitment to justice and peace, care for creation, as well as collective prayer.