From its beginnings, the New Apostolic Church has understood itself as a church of ministry. It is led by the apostolate. All other ministries come forth out of the Apostle ministry. Today there are three ordained ministries in the New Apostolic Church, each with different spiritual powers: the Apostle ministry, the Priest ministry, and the Deacon ministry. ^[3] The Chief Apostle who exercises the Petrine office and the administration of the authority of the keys is ordained to his special service.