New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Indeed, all its members are to be subordinate to each other in the life of the congregation.  Pastors too are to be subordinate to Christ and his word.  Since Christ has appointed male pastors to represent himself and his heavenly Father in the ministry of word and sacrament, the members of the congregation, whether male or female, are to subordinate themselves to their pastors.  All other ministries are subordinate to the basic ministry and dependent on it.  Those who serve in that ministry pass on what they have received from God the Father through Christ and his apostles.  The exercise of the public ministry depends on this pattern of subordination within the church and cannot operate properly apart from it.  -- Dr. John Kleinig, Women Pastors?, p. 223.