# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S383
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

~ INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 383

are enumerated. In verse 5 it is emphasized that the func-
ist the bishop or deacon is to “take care of the Church of God.”
g to these Bible passages . . . the terms “bishop,” “elder,”
pastor” all imply leadership and rule over the congregation.
applying what the New Testament says about the ministry
ocal congregation to a particular situation, we find the
st and most direct application in the calling of one man to the
of pastor. This man is to preach the Gospel and administer
acraments. He is responsible to God and the congregation for
tual leadership of the congregation and is to rule over the
gation according to the Word of God. He is a “presbyteros”
‘episkopos” as described in the New Testament.
wngregation may decide to have one or more additional men
full ministry. If they have been called to the full ministry,
ed that they are qualified to preach the Gospel, to ad-
_the Sacraments, and to assume responsibility for the
life and growth of the entire congregation. Each of these
uld be a “presbyteros” or an “episkopos.” The specific
f these ministers and their relation to one another would
ined by the congregation.

A congregation has in Christian liberty the authority to
additional offices, delegating to them and limiting for them
functions of the public ministry.

congregation may decide to have one or more persons who
ants of the Word, but do not have the full ministry. Such
iS are assigned specific functions of the public ministry which
special attention in the congregation.

group of congregations can organize to perform jointly some
ork which is the responsibility of each congregation. For
k they jointly have the authority to create additional
ithin the public ministry.

group of Christians from within several congregations banded
to carry out some phase of Kingdom work has a similar
but must respect the sovereignty of the local congre-
\d must be guided by fraternal consideration of the welfare
ts of the local congregation, the District, and the Synod.
fgons properly called to such offices created to meet the needs
burch as related to its ministry of preaching and teaching
el in all the world participate in the public ministry of the

aples of such offices are: the parochial school teacher in .
ongregation, missionary at large at home or abroad, pro-
synodical college, Lutheran high school teacher, synodical