MINISTERS
OF RELIGION, AUTHORITY OF

Be eager to act always in godly agreement; with the bishop presiding as the counterpart of God, the presbyters as the counterpart of the council of the apostles, and the deacons (most dear to me) who have been entrusted with a service [ diaconate ] under Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before all ages and appeared at the end of time.

Ignatius of Antioch

One ought to think as follows about ministers. The office does not belong to Judas but to Christ alone. When Christ said to Judas, “Go baptize,” Christ himself was the baptizer and not Judas because the command comes from above even if it passes down through a stinking pipe. Nothing is taken from the office on account of the unworthiness of a minister.

Martin Luther