It is right for Lutheran theologians to search out the entirety of the Lutheran Confessions along with the Scriptures when discussing any theological issues. And yet, we have in many ways suggested that the key teachings of our faith can be understood by thorough attention to the Small Catechism alone. The main way we suggest this is by teaching the catechism alone to those adults who desire baptism or membership in the congregation.
There has been much talk in Synod lately around the question of the relationship between pastors and people. The real question always seems to be the question of who has been given authority by God over the other. And at first glance, it seems that the catechism says little about this question. Therefore, most of the argumentation brought forth in the ongoing discussion is from other parts of our confessions like the Tractate.
However, we need not even delve that deeply into the confessions to answer this question. Instead we need just look at the most overlooked part of the Small Catechism, the Tables of Duties. In that portion of the Catechism, the responsibilities of various vocations are outlined scripturally. And nearly all of the vocations mentioned are presented as twosomes, complimentary vocations. For example, the vocation of husband is explained in relation to the vocation of wife. Let me note all of the complimentary vocations listed by rows in the table below.
| Husband | Wife |
| Parent | Child |
| Master | Slave |
| Government |
Citizen |
| Pastor | People |
In each relationship, one person is given authority over the other. All of the scriptures referenced in the Table of Duties give evidence of this reality. Husbands are the head of the wife, parents the head of children, so on. And so we can update our table.
| In Authority | Under Authority |
| Husband | Wife |
| Parent | Child |
| Master | Slave |
| Government |
Citizen |
| Pastor | People |
And that answers our question about the relationship between pastors and people. But we are prone to ask why also. As for the question of why God orders things thusly, Ephesians Five in teaching about marriage gives us the answer. We need to add one more row to our table.
| In Authority | Under Authority |
| Christ | Church |
| Husband | Wife |
| Parent | Child |
| Master | Slave |
| Government |
Citizen |
| Pastor | People |
Just as Christ has authority over the church, so also the husband has authority over the wife. Each of these relationships exist to give us a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. And so likewise, the Pastor has authority over the people. But for what purpose? To love. To Serve. To Sacrifice. Never to use such authority in a self-serving way like what happens when unbelievers are given authority.
Rather than resting is this simple order given to us by God, everyone seems to want to emphasize how the relationship between pastor and people is established and then draw conclusions. Those who teach wrongly that the congregation has authority over pastors speak only about the call issued by the voter’s assembly in the congregation. Those who understand that the pastor is given authority often in contrast end up placing emphasis on the laying of of hands in ordination from other clergy members.
The authority given to pastors is not determined by how the relationship between pastor and people is formed. Both in the scriptures and in the history of the church, pastors has been set in place through various methods. Sometime they were appointed by specific clergy. Other times they have been appointed by a consistory of clergy of one sort or another. Still other times they have been placed as the result of a congregational decision. Lutherans have traditionally accepted the validity of the call in all of these situations.
Pastors have authority by virtue of God’s created ecclesial order as reflected in the table of duties. Regardless of how the relationship is formed, that order is present.
We can argue about the best ways to call pastors into the midst of congregations. However, we cannot act as if the ecclesial order God set forth is wrong. God has placed pastors in authority over congregations. And this he has done not to benefit pastors but to care for his people.
Pastors, therefore, must be taught to use their authority only for their people’s spiritual good. And people must be taught to submit to that authority for their spiritual good. That is how God has ordered things and his order is supremely good. We need not leave the Catechism to reach this understanding. We just have to make sure we read the Table of Duties.
Well said. This made it into my sermon on Sunday. When I post it, give it a listen and tell me what you think. (No self-serving here except to be reviewed by my peers.)
If the pastor is in authority over the congregation, then how is it that the congregation has authority to even call a priest?
Very well said. A good reminder to pastors that we exercise our authority through the power of God’s love and by serving and tending to the needs of others.
To address the congregation’s authority to call a pastor/priest I would submit that in actuality, it is God who calls. The practice of congregations issuing call letters stems from their recognizing the Holy spirit’s guidance and leading in the call process. Through prayer and the study of Holy Scripture, the congregation follows the Spirit through the process and when God’s appointed shepherd is revealed, a call letter is issued. The congregational vote in of itself is not authoritative. It serves as the means by which the congregation affirms God’s activity among them through during the search for a new pastor/priest. Sadly, all too often congregations look upon this journey as a “hiring” rather than a calling.