# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S882
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

_ 882 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

8-12). Luther speaks of all being made priests by Holy
The relation of the called ministers to the members of the
gation is that of servants (diakonoi) acting for the congrega:
for Jesus’ sake. ;

Since the relation of one servant of the Word to ang
regulated by the Lord of the Church, there never ought.,
question of who is great or greater. There ought only to
questicn of how to serve best the interests of the Church, +f
of Christ.

“But be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your Maste
Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your f;
the earth, for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Ne
called masters, for one is your Master, even Christ. But };
greatest among you shall be your servant (diakonos).
soever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall }
himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:8-12). .

“But Jesus called them unto Him, and said; Ye know ¢
princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and ‘th
are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall no
among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him 5
minister [diakonos — servant], and whosoever will be chief’
you, let him be your servant [the word doulos means slave
as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to'm
and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20: 25-28): +

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5).

A Christian congregation may, in Christian liberty,
its servants special responsibilities with corresponding authé
leadership and supervision as circumstances may require
sake of good order. These are human arrangements, not’
ordinances. However, the law of Christian love demands
such arrangements have been established, they are to be :
by all concerned.

J. While God has given a variety of gifts to the Ch
enumerated in 1 Cor. 12:28, 29 and Eph. 4:11,12, yet He
of one office which is essential for each Christian congregd ib

The terms “bishop,” “elder,” “pastor,” and “teacher”.
to refer to this office that is essential for each congregati
office carries with it the responsibility for the entire minist
Gospel in the congregation. In Titus 1:5-9 this office
that of “elder” and “bishop.” In Acts 20:28 this office is’
as that of an “overseer” of the congregation. In 1 Peter,
elders are exhorted to feed the flock of God and to take
sight thereof. In 1Timothy3 the qualifications of bishégg