Following Christ's resurrection and ascension, God has given the church apostles, prophets, and teachers, deeds of power, gifts of healing, forms of assistance and leadership. We stand within a tradition where God calls and empowers deacons, elders, and ministers of Word and sacrament. We look to them to be people of . . . . . . . 3 Deacons are set apart . . . . . . . They gather gifts and offerings, . . . . . . . . .
Deacons visit and comfort the distressed, . . . . . . . . .
6 Elders are set apart . . . . . . . They have oversight of all members, . . . . . . . . . They ensure the Word of God . . . . . . . . . . . is rightly proclaimed and taught, and . . . . . . . . . . . The consistory provides for the welfare of the church, . . . . . . . . . . . The minister of Word and sacrament does not serve without the elder . . . . . . . . .