In many regions of the world “ministers” are public servants. Their civil “ministry” is to act in behalf of a government department that operates from a building that in turn is referred to as “the Ministry”.
Kurdistan has a Ministry of Justice. India has a Ministry of Environment and Forests. Thailand has a Ministry of Finance. Korea has Ministry of Labor, and Great Britain a Ministry of Defense.
Then there’s the kingdom of God with its “Ministry of Reconciliation.” This government also has its “ministers.”
So, one question is whether, from God’s point of view, being a member of the Christian clergy is more of a ministry than serving Christ and others in any other honest job or profession– including those of us who are temporarily or permanently unemployed, disabled, or retired.
Am impressed with the fact that this question has deep roots that go back to the first days of the church. When followers of Christ were faced with the spiritual and material needs of a growing church, they decided that it was not good for those who were involved in the “ministry of the Word” to “leave the Word” in order to “serve tables”? (Acts 6:1-4). Maybe this is why many have assumed that “ministry” is limited to those who are “ordained” (appointed and set apart) for “full time Christian work.”
But I’ve been thinking again about what was really happening here. A closer look at Acts 6 shows that the apostles were not creating a division of labor that reserves “ministry” for “spiritual service.” The word translated “serve” tables is the same word used for “ministry” of the Word. The apostles were just describing two kinds of ministry. Some would minister (lit. serve) the Word. Others would minister (lit. serve) tables (that is, distribute food to the needy).
The apostle Peter also helped us to see that from our Lord’s point of view “ministry” is much broader than preaching messages and performing pastoral services. According to Peter, every member of the body of Christ is a “minister” and “priest” (1 Peter 2:9). In the 4th chapter he added, “As each one has received a gift, minister (serve) it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Seems to me that it would be hard to overemphasize the importance of realizing that whether we are in full-time “ministry” is not limited our profession or even whether we are currently “employed.” The defining issue is who we are making it our purpose to help.
We have every reason to believe that a housekeeper who serves Christ from the heart while changing the bed sheets, cleaning the bathroom, and polishing the mirrors is as much of a minister in God’s eyes as those “ordained” professionals who also have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving the family of God by their example, words, and love.
(+18 rating, 18 votes)
Loading...