Ministries

"Ministry" is from the Greek word 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).

The 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). Christians are to minister to others out of their devotion to Christ and their love for others, whether the other people are believers or unbelievers. Ministry to others should be impartial and unconditional, always seeking to help others as Jesus would.

All lay men and women are called to participate in the mission of the church, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ by their actions and words, and to work toward the transformation of the world. Most respond to this call in 'secular' arenas - in family life, in their workplace, and in the civic community.

Some also work within the church, to build up the Christian community through various forms of "ministry." Some do this on a limited, voluntary, or temporary basis - as catechists, liturgical ministers, parish council members, visitors to the sick, youth workers, advocates for the poor, and so on. Some serve on a more stable basis and may even be employed in the church. "Lay ministry" is a broad term that encompasses all these forms of service within or on behalf of the church community.