Jean-Luc Schneider
Jean-Luc Schneider (born 18 September 1959) is the former Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church. He succeeded Wilhelm Leber on 19 May 2013 to become the ninth Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church.[1] He was succeeded by Helge Mutschler on 24 May 2026.[2] Jean-Luc Schneider was the first Frenchman to lead the New Apostolic Church. He served as Chief Apostle from 19 May 2013 until his retirement on 24 May 2026.
Early life
Jean-Luc Schneider was born into a New Apostolic family on 18 September 1959,[3] the eldest of three children. In 1983, he married his wife Pascale and they have two daughters. He and his wife live in a part of metropolitan Strasbourg, North-Eastern France.
As a young man, he studied at a management school. He was employed by a French gas company after the completion of his military service in 1982. After working in various capacities within the company, he was later appointed as manager in the Strategy and Finance department.
Ministerial timeline
- Sub-deacon - 10 January 1980
- Priest - 24 November 1985
- Evangelist - 17 September 1989
- Shepherd - 1 January 1993
- District Elder - 14 November 1993
- Apostle and District Apostle Helper - 22 June 2003
- District Apostle - 26 September 2004[3]
- Chief Apostle Helper - 27 May 2012
- Chief Apostle - 19 May 2013 - 24 May 2026
As a District Elder, he was placed in charge of youth care for France. As a District Apostle, he was responsible for France, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (southeastern part), Tahiti and New Caledonia.[3]
Road to Retirement
Jean-Luc Schneider desig[4]nated Helge Mutschler as his successor during the Pentecost divine service on 8 June 2025, appointing him as Chief Apostle Helper of the New Apostolic Church.
On 24 May 2026, Schneider retired as Chief Apostle during the Pentecost divine service in Cape Town, South Africa. In the same service, he ordained his designated successor, Helge Mutschler, as the new Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church, bringing Schneider’s 13-year term in office to an end. [5]
References
- ↑ "The name of the new Chief Apostle of the New Apostolic Church is Jean-Luc Schneider" (Press release). New Apostolic Church. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
- ↑ Rother, Andreas (2026-05-24). "Unity in diversity—that is heaven". nac.today. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- 1 2 3 "Pentecost 2013: A new Chief Apostle for the New Apostolic Church" (Press release). New Apostolic Church. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ↑ New Apostolic Church South Africa (2025-06-12). Chief Apostle announces succession. Retrieved 2026-05-24 – via YouTube.
- ↑ New Apostolic Church South Africa (2026-05-24). **LIVE BROADCAST** - PENTECOST 2026DIVINE SERVICE from TAFELSIG CHURCH (CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA). Retrieved 2026-05-24 – via YouTube.