In the divine service, believers seek an encounter with God in the congregation. It is here that God’s word and forgiveness of sins are proclaimed, sacraments are dispensed, and divine blessing is imparted.

It is the duty of all ministers to ensure that God can be experienced in His holiness in every divine service. It is the particular task of the Deacon ministry to attend to the external order required for an untroubled divine service experience.

The ministers who serve at the altar perform a task by way of which the believing congregation is to experience the activity of God. This demanding task requires intensive preparation, sanctification, and an appropriate demeanour both in terms of outward appearance and conduct, as well as in preaching.