“Official Acts of Ministry”
1) Certain acts of ministry — among them the preaching of the
Word, the administration of the sacraments, the pronouncement of
blessings for the people, the laying of hands on new leaders, and
the reception and formal dismissal of members — are part of the
ministry of Christ to his followers and are entrusted to the
church and, within the church, to its ordained leaders, not to a
specific office.
2) Therefore, no long-standing, organized congregation of
Christians should be deprived of these liturgical acts simply
because it cannot provide for the presence of an ordained
minister or commissioned pastor.
3) These acts of ministry symbolize and strengthen the
relationships among the Lord, leaders, and the people of God.
Their use is a sacred trust given to leaders by the Lord for the
purpose of strengthening the flock. Therefore the administration
of these acts should continue to be regulated by the church.
(Acts of Synod 2001, p. 504)