"What is Christian ministry?" (1/2)
"Ministry" is derived from two Greek words diakoneo, meaning "to serve" or douleuo, meaning "to serve as a slave."
In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name.
Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry--He came, not to receive service, but to give it (See Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17).
Ministry in our days has taken on more of a vocational meaning as we call those in full-time service "ministers". True, they do spend their lives in the ministry, they do minister to others, and they can rightly be designated as ministers, but they are not the only ones who are called to be involved in ministry.
From the early New Testament churches to the churches of our day, each Christian should be in the ministry. (See Romans 12:3-8, 10-13; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
Any Christian should minister by meeting people's needs with love and humility on Christ's behalf. (See Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43; John 2:5,9; Acts 6:3; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 4:12)
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