Читать книгу Amt, Ordination, Episkopé und theologische Ausbildung / Ministry, ordination, episkopé and theological education - Группа авторов - Страница 16

16. The distinction between the foundation, the shape and the mission of the church, originating in Reformation theology, is an essential presupposition of the “Leuenberg model”. The document The Church of Jesus Christ explains: “The foundation of the church is God’s action to save humankind first in the people of Israel, then in Jesus Christ. In this fundamental action God himself is the subject, and consequently the church is an object of faith. Since the church is a community of believers, the shape of the church has taken various historical forms. The one church of faith (singular) is present in a hidden manner in churches (plural) shaped in different ways. The mission of the church is its task to witness to all humankind the gospel of the coming of the Kingdom of God in word and deed. In order to achieve unity of the church in the diversity of these shapes it is sufficient ‘that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and that the sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word’ (Augsburg Confession VII).”⁸

17. According to Protestant understanding, the church is created and sustained by the word of God. It is creatura evangelii or creatura verbi divini. Neither the ministry of word and sacraments nor the various forms of episkopé guarantee the true being of the church by themselves or in themselves, but they serve the communication of God’s grace. Issues of ministry, ordination and episkopé are significant for the shape of the church in its mission. They must be considered not only pragmatically but as related to, and based on, the church’s theological foundation.