Every divine service requires the ministers to diligently prepare themselves in a spiritual respect. The aim of this preparation is that God may reveal Himself to the congregation through the Holy Spirit, such that the believers may make an experience with God. A significant part of the divine service is an unscripted sermon, through which the timely will of God is proclaimed. This serves to prepare the bride of Christ by reinforcing the believers’ love for God and their neighbour, as well as strengthening their joy in the gospel.

Before a divine service, ministers are to occupy themselves with the Bible, the Divine Service Guide article for the service, and the doctrinal statements in the Catechism as necessary. The emphasis of this spiritual preparation consists of properly understanding the Bible text and the Divine Service Guide article for the service, and of grasping the core message that is to be imparted.

Prayer and an intimate connection to the apostolate are indispensable for spiritual preparation. It is also advisable that ministers attune themselves to the circumstances and emotional state of the congregation. In this way, that which God wishes to tell the congregation can be awakened by the Holy Spirit in the divine service.

On the one hand, the ministers can be aware of their divine mission and rely on God’s activity in the divine service. On the other hand, however, they must also humbly acknowledge that they cannot fulfil their service to the congregation without God or their connection to the apostolate.

In order to live up to the high standard of proclaiming the word of God, ministers must sanctify themselves and make the endeavour to free themselves from the stresses of daily life.

Ministers should utilise the time directly preceding the divine service in order to gather themselves and avoid disruptive influences. In a collective prayer with the other ministers, the officiant then commends him- or herself to God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.