Ministers of Word and Sacrament. These are our pastors who preside over the sacraments and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to their congregations and elsewhere. Folks serving in this ministry can also serve as chaplains, or campus pastors, missionaries, or in outdoor ministry, with their primary focus being the church gathered around word and sacrament.
Ministers of Word and Service. Deacons are dedicated to Christ’s mission of service, through both direct service and equipping God’s people for their work and witness in the church and world. We can see deacons serving in the areas of chaplaincy, faith formation, worship, administration, education, and non-profit social ministry. Regardless of their setting, deacons are focused on the church scattered, the witness and ministry to the church in the world.
Both ministers of Word and Sacrament and Word and Service engage in theological education and complete the candidacy process. The purpose of this intentional time of learning and formation is to prepare future rostered ministers to serve God and the Church, and to equip them to lead God’s people. Let’s explore more of what it means to be called to serve in these ministries.
Photo by Will Nunnally
