==Ecumenism==
===Historical development===
[[Chief Apostle]] [[Richard Fehr]] (1988–2005) found the ''"Ecumenism Project Group"'' in 1999, that has the function to represent the church among other [[Christian denominations]], establish contacts with other denominations and churches, and involve the NAC in common activities and affairs. The church administration is deliberate of changing some rather exclusive doctrines by [[ecumenism]], whereas they also have to keep their own profile.<ref>[http://cms.nak-sued.de/Reges-Interesse-an-OEkumene-Vortrag.21373.0.html NAC Southern Germany – Speech about Ecumenism]</ref>
In 1963, the [[World Council of Churches]] offered Chief Apostle Schmidt to send some deputies for a session in [[Geneva]], Switzerland. He declined the offer because the ecumenical movement of that time was not politically neutral. Walther Schmidt also feared a too strong occupation by the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Later on, he spoke out unpublicly to have been sure of triggering conflicts and [[criticism]] between the church and larger denominations with a participation in ecumenism.
Only when Chief Apostle [[Hans Urwyler]] sought contact to schism churches, an interest in ecumenism seemed to appear. In 2000, Richard Fehr summoned an ''Apostolic Council'', which embraced discussion about common topics and interests. Since 2005, a common regeneration of the Apostolic history is carried out. Although this brought single conflicts, both sides want to continue and strive for reconciliation.<ref>[http://www.nak.org/nc/en/news/official-announcements/news-anzeige/article/15518/ Chief Apostle's desire for reconciliation]</ref> All officiall "excommunications" of excluded members have been annulled so far.
However, in 1994 the church refused an ecumenical offer of ''Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (English: Consortium of Christian Churches)'' with the justification that the ecumenical way of Christian unity would not be an appropriate manner in [[Jesus Christ]].
The new founded "Ecumenism Project Group" has contacted other churches officially and has achieved amicable relations between various congregations. The first dialogs have been held in [[Southern Germany]], where the New Apostolic congregations in [[Memmingen]] and [[Aschaffenburg]]<ref>nak.org: [http://www.nak.org/de/news/news-display/article/15197/ Guest membership in ACK of Aschaffenburg]</ref> have joined the ecumenical institution ''Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen''. The New Apostolic district [[Thun]], Switzerland<ref>[http://bezirkthun.nakweb.ch/index.php?id=1121 District of Thun – Ecumenism]</ref> is a guest member of them as well. The leaders of this institution have published a brochure about the New Apostolic Church in April 2008. The church has been having dialogues with various other churches, especially [[Protestant Church]], [[Methodist]]s, [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], [[Anglican Church]], and [[Roman Catholic Church]].
There are also ecumenical efforts in the USA, [[Argentina]] and [[South Africa]]. In Argentina, the NAC is regarded as one of the national churches.<ref>Maran atha – Our Lord coms – Biography Richard Fehr</ref> The District Apostles Freund<ref>New Apostolic Calendar – Our Family – Interview with Richard Freund</ref> and Barnes<ref>Our Family magazine: "Apostle Ordination in Cape Town 2007" – Interview with Noel Barnes</ref> have already carried out meetings with deputies of other churches, which have led to good results. The new District Apostle of the USA, L. Kolb, explained in an interview that the New Apostolic Christians can learn a lot from other churches and that he will go after ecumenical contacts.<ref>Our Family magazine: "New District Apostle of USA area 2008" – Interview with Leonard C. Kolb</ref>
