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07/10/2008: "A bit more on the Office of "Pastor""

"God has established the office of the public ministry (Predigtamt, ministerium) for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel in its purity and administering the sacraments in accordance with the Gospel (AC V). While these are not the only duties a holder of this office may perform, they do constitute the heart and core of the office.2 The office is a divinely established 'means,' in a sense, for the administration of the means of grace. As Christ has established the office of the public ministry, so he also places individuals into that office (AC XIV). Accordingly, this placement into the office of the public ministry has been designated historically as a 'divine call' or 'call and ordination.'
--CFW Walther