Amen and amen.
Edward Koehler articulates the old orthodox Lutheran understanding of this key point in his annotations to Question 275 in the 1943 Synodical Catechism:
275. How does the local congregation publicly administer the Office of the Keys?
Answer: According to God's will the Christian congregation chooses and calls men as ministers, who in the name of Christ and in the name of the congregation publicly perform the functions of the Office of the Keys. (The pastoral office a divine institution, Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:10-12.)
Koehler:
"The word 'publicly' here does not mean openly, before the eyes of the public, but it means in the name of the public, which, in this case, is the local congregation. While each true believer in Christ is a royal priest in his own right, and should, therefore, by word and deed 'show forth the praises' of God (650), he will not remain aloof from other believers, but rather seek the fellowship of those that hold the same faith as he (690), and join a Christian congregation in order that together with others he may do what the Lord commanded all of them to do. — Since all members of a congregation have the same right and duty, no one may take it upon himself to act in the name of all others, but he must by them be called or commissioned to preach, etc., (Rom. 10:15). In our day, God does not call these men directly, as He called the Apostles and the Prophets of old, but the Christians, the local congregation, to whom the Office of the Keys was given, choose and call the man who in their name, publicly, is to perform the duties of this office in their midst. And when such a person has accepted this call, he is to be regarded as 'the minister of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God' (656), whom God Himself has made 'overseer' or bishop over that flock (657), and who, under God 'in the person of Christ' (658) and in the name of the congregation that called him, performs the functions of the Office of the Keys. It is the call and the acceptance of this call that makes a man the minister of a congregation, not ordination and installation, which are not divinely commanded. — A congregation may not call into this office any one whom it pleases, no false teacher, no manifest sinner, but only such as are able and fit for this office (See Table of Duties: To Bishops, etc.). Neither are women to be called into this office (659)."
Edward Koehler articulates the old orthodox Lutheran understanding of this key point in his annotations to Question 275 in the 1943 Synodical Catechism:
275. How does the local congregation publicly administer the Office of the Keys?
Answer: According to God's will the Christian congregation chooses and calls men as ministers, who in the name of Christ and in the name of the congregation publicly perform the functions of the Office of the Keys. (The pastoral office a divine institution, Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:10-12.)
Koehler:
"The word 'publicly' here does not mean openly, before the eyes of the public, but it means in the name of the public, which, in this case, is the local congregation. While each true believer in Christ is a royal priest in his own right, and should, therefore, by word and deed 'show forth the praises' of God (650), he will not remain aloof from other believers, but rather seek the fellowship of those that hold the same faith as he (690), and join a Christian congregation in order that together with others he may do what the Lord commanded all of them to do. — Since all members of a congregation have the same right and duty, no one may take it upon himself to act in the name of all others, but he must by them be called or commissioned to preach, etc., (Rom. 10:15). In our day, God does not call these men directly, as He called the Apostles and the Prophets of old, but the Christians, the local congregation, to whom the Office of the Keys was given, choose and call the man who in their name, publicly, is to perform the duties of this office in their midst. And when such a person has accepted this call, he is to be regarded as 'the minister of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God' (656), whom God Himself has made 'overseer' or bishop over that flock (657), and who, under God 'in the person of Christ' (658) and in the name of the congregation that called him, performs the functions of the Office of the Keys. It is the call and the acceptance of this call that makes a man the minister of a congregation, not ordination and installation, which are not divinely commanded. — A congregation may not call into this office any one whom it pleases, no false teacher, no manifest sinner, but only such as are able and fit for this office (See Table of Duties: To Bishops, etc.). Neither are women to be called into this office (659)."
https://x.com/bonifacegroup/status/2038973076772131111
Edward Koehler was one of the greats. Purchase a copy of Koehler's annotated Small Catechism for $8.99 here:
Comb-bound, but there are some advantages to that. It lies flat on a tabletop or podium.bookstore.ctsfw.edu/luthers-small-…
Comb-bound, but there are some advantages to that. It lies flat on a tabletop or podium.bookstore.ctsfw.edu/luthers-small-…
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