Our Order of Worship (19)

As the appointed ambassador of Christ, the minister functions in the worship service in a twofold capacity: at certain times in the worship service, the minister speaks to the congregation in the name of God with the authority given to him by virtue of his office. He does this when he reads the law, administers the sacraments, and preaches the gospel. At other times he speaks to God on behalf of the congregation. He does this when he leads the congregation in prayer and in the recitation of the...