What is Ministry?

[Light So Shine]

The word seems used a lot; in an active, spiritual context. What does it mean to go on a ministry? I know about ministers; but this seems to be different. There is even a section of these forums, that has been set aside for people who are going on different types of ministries.

What does it mean, when it is applied in a spiritual context?:preach:

[Bellicus]

Wikipedia seems to have a pretty long and detailed explanation of it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_ministry_%28Christian%29)

[LilLamb219]

The word is used in both a broad and narrow sense. Personally, I think the term is overused in today's modern world and prefer the more narrow sense of it where it deals with the office of the Holy Ministry...as in a pastor and his role.

[Light So Shine]

The word is used in both a broad and narrow sense. Personally, I think the term is overused in today's modern world and prefer the more narrow sense of it where it deals with the office of the Holy Ministry...as in a pastor and his role.
That's what I meant. I was not necessarily referring to ministers and the clergy. I thought it had a more expansive meaning, than just in the church.

[tapero]

The word seems used a lot; in an active, spiritual context. What does it mean to go on a ministry? I know about ministers; but this seems to be different. There is even a section of these forums, that has been set aside for people who are going on different types of ministries.

What does it mean, when it is applied in a spiritual context?:preach:

Hi!

Ministry can mean lots of things.

As Christians we all are in the ministry to others and to ourselves as well.

No pressure to any who do not see it in their lives as they may be in a place that they've not yet realized they have a ministry, or don't see it, or whatever. It's okay, because we're all in different places.

For one person their ministry may be praying for others.
For another they may do specific things, such as visit the sick, visit those in prison, help the oppressed, help those who are hungry, etc. You see things I'm putting here are things Jesus gave us to do; just a short list.

And we're not all gifted in all areas, some in some areas some in other etc, it doesn't matter, as never need to compare.

The bible puts it like this; we are all parts of the body. So each one of us have a place and a part.

Some people feel like they don't minister at all, and may be true or may not.

Often people do not realize how they bless others, either by their walk with Christ, or speech, or things they do.

We can minister at any time any where in any situation.

Some people go into a ministry, as I said before, something specific. Doesn't have to be, but are distinct ministries as well, and can be such as the music leader at church, is general said to be in the ministry of music; people who leave home and go on mission trips, their ministry is missions.

We can all be missionaries where we are and that is our ministry, but there are those who are also missionaries, who say, go to another land or another area or right where they live, but specifically work in helping others, teaching other about Jesus, or whatever it is they do.

Some may work at habitat for humanity, for example, where anyone can volunteer to help build a home. While doing such, they are ministering in that way, by helping to build a home, whether it be painting etc.

Some can go to foreign lands, or where they live, wherever there is need.

So you see ministry can be many things.

As believers, we are all ministering to others, depending on our walk, as sometimes we don't always do so, but in general, it can be silent, it can be spoken, it can be praying for others, anything can be ministering as we are doing as Jesus gives us to do and more as the bible is not exhaustive on what we can do.

So to learn more on ministries, read over what Jesus gives us to do.

Love our neighbors as ourselves.
Return good for evil.
Turning the other cheek.
Being a good samaritan (a story on this is in the bible)
Feeding the poor.
Visiting those in jail.
Helping the oppressed.
Healing; with words, kindness, edifying, encouarging, helping, loving, praying.
Serving others, washing others feet, which is humility and serving. Is also something can be done literally and some churches do practice this as part of their service at certain times.

Imagine someone who believes no one loves them, no one cares if they died tomorrow, they also may think everyone else is better than them, and deserve, where they don't feel deserving, the list is endless of how people feel out in the world; what they've been thru, etc.

So imagine someone who feels so badly about themselves and along comes someone who attributes to them great worth (just as God does), and by their actions, deeds, or words, or both, this person now receives love from another or starts seeing that they are of great worth and all because someone ministered to them, reached out to them.

Is all a part of ministry (and of course there are many things which are ministering, which can be done for others.)

For believers ministry is just doing as Jesus gives us to do and whatever else we can think of which isn't written which we do out of a love for Jesus, others and ourselves.

It may be very specific or not.

Non believers also minister to others, or can, and many do so.

God bless,
tapero

[Criada]

Can't add a lot to what tapero has said above...
The original meaning of the word minister is to serve.
And really, that's all any type of ministry is.. serving others and meeting their needs.. whether those are physical, emotional or spiritual.

[plmarquette]

sharing by our example.....

what we can do better

differently

or change in us

to line up with Him....

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:tPHfhu89SrLP-M:http://www.crazyleafdesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/free-valentines-day-vectors-3.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crazyleafdesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/free-valentines-day-vectors-3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.crazyleafdesign.com/blog/free-valentines-day-vectors-collection/&h=295&w=415&sz=30&hl=en&start=725&um=1&tbnid=tPHfhu89SrLP-M:&tbnh=89&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dweird%2Bicons%26start%3D720%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)

[twistedsketch]

Ministry is what we do for other people. "Ministers" are called that because of what they became known for, filling their job description - praying for people, comforting the sick and the dying, visiting prisoners, etc. If you're comforting a buddy after his girlfriend dumps him, that's technically ministry also.

[Light So Shine]

That makes sense to me. We're all in Ministry, of some kind.