Our respect and appreciation. Synods should certainly acknowledge the priority of local congregations in the process of issuing orderly calls, but congregations should also recognize the legitimate yet limited role of synods, when they do exist, in this process. Click on the different category headings to find out more. According to this ongoing, expansive process, congregations that already exist, and that therefore already bear the marks of the Church, call missionary preachers to bring the Gospel to new locations and thereby to bring into existence new congregations. Christ continues to be the loving divine Lord of his Church, and he continues to govern it with his Word alone.