A "Word of Exhortation” is a moment in our worship service when the elders, or a brother the elders are pouring into and helping equip for ministry, address the congregation on matters unrelated to the main point of the day's sermon. It is a chance outside of the sermon to exhort the church about something relevant. It might be some current event worth mentioning, or something in the life of our church, or it might be a secondary issue related to the sermon text. The word of exhortation will lead into a time of confession, and then our assurance of pardon. The assurance of pardon is always given by an elder.