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Guide for Ministers
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- 3.1 Ministerial order
- 3.2 Ministerial authority
- 3.3 Ordination of ministers
- 3.3.1 Ordination: Procedure
- 3.3.2 Ordination: Sequence and recommended wording
- 3.4 Ministerial mandate
- 3.4.1 Ministerial mandate: Working area
- 3.4.2 Ministerial mandate: Exercising a ministry outside of the working area
- 3.4.3 Ministerial mandate: Exercising a ministry in retirement
- 3.5 Exercise of a previously held ministry
- 3.6 Leave of absence
- 3.6.1 Leave of absence: Possible reasons
- 3.6.2 Leave of absence: Procedure
- 3.6.3 Repealing a leave of absence
- 3.7 Reinstatement of ministers
- 3.7.1 Reinstatement of ministers: Procedure
- 3.7.2 Reinstatement of ministers: Liturgical position in the divine service
- 3.7.3 Reinstatement of ministers: Procedure
- 3.8 Retirement of ministers
- 3.8.1 Retirement of ministers: Sequence and recommended wording
- 3.9 Resignation from ministry
- 3.10 Dismissal from ministry
- 3.11 Re-ordination
- 3.12 Appointment of ministers
- 3.12.1 Appointment of ministers: Procedure
- 3.12.2 Appointment of ministers: Sequence and recommended wording
- 3.13 Assignment
- 3.14 Termination
- 3.15 Documentation of ordination, appointment, assignment
- 3.16 Prerequisites for a ministry
- 3.16.1 Self-conception of the minister
- 3.16.2 Prerequisites for a ministry: The Creed
- 3.16.3 Prerequisites for a ministry: Age
- 3.16.4 Prerequisites for a ministry: Competency profiles
- 3.16.5 Prerequisites for a ministry: Lifestyle
- 3.17 Initiation into ministry, appointment, or service
- 3.18 Training
- 3.19 Rights
- 3.19.1 Rights: Consent to ordination, appointment, and assignment
- 3.19.2 Rights: Information rights
- 3.19.3 Rights: Participation in meetings and divine services for ministers
- 3.19.4 Rights: Care and recuperation
- 3.19.5 Rights: Pastoral care
- 3.19.6 Rights: Right to a hearing
- 3.19.7 Rights: Retirement
- 3.19.8 Rights: Resignation from ministry
- 3.20 Obligations
- 3.20.1 Obligations: Connection to the apostolate
- 3.20.2 Obligations: Advocating the doctrine
- 3.20.3 Obligations: Compliance with Church regulations
- 3.20.4 Obligations: Impartiality
- 3.20.5 Obligations: Duty to refuse benefits
- 3.20.6 Obligations: Confidentiality
- 3.20.7 Obligations: Ministers working together
- 3.20.8 Obligations: Duty of disclosure
- 3.20.9 Obligations: Loyalty and good conduct
- 3.20.10 Obligations: Conflicts with professional interests
- 3.20.11 Obligations: Restraint in political activity
- 3.20.12 Obligations: Protection from sexual violence
- 3.21 Consequences of breaching ministerial obligations
3.16 Prerequisites for a ministry
It is God Himself who designates an individual for a ministry. Thus the ministry is not a human work, nor is it ultimately that of the congregation. Rather it is God’s gift to His church. A person bears his or her ministry on the basis of divine will and not human decision. Although ministers are chosen by God, it may nevertheless happen that they do not live up to the demands of their ministry or even fail in it. Nevertheless, this does not call into question the original call of God.[22]
The ministries are independent of the character of the persons who bear them. Upon ordination, the gifts which ordained ministers possess as individuals are placed into the service of the congregation through blessing and sanctification. They can develop further in the course of one’s ministerial exercise, and other gifts and talents may also be revealed. The character and gifts of the persons ordained as ministers should be suited to managing the powers issued in the ordination in an appropriate manner. If the required conditions are not present, it cannot be assumed that any lacking talents will be compensated by the ordination.