Abstract:

The word ministry has many definitions, and is just about as widely varied in practice. But for the use of this website, we will define ministry as “the work of the Body of Christ“. Naturally, it would follow that a ministry works to fulfill the mission of the Gospel or a specific calling from God. Here’s a short introduction to ministry…

Theology:

To first understand ministry, we must first understand why on earth we’re on planet Earth. In other words, we have to have an idea about the purpose of our life. In Matthew 22:36-40, we find the first purpose to our existence:

³⁶“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
³⁷Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your should and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The second purpose of our life is found in the last chapter of Matthew:

¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28)

With these two purposes in mind, the purpose and calling behind all forms of ministry is essentially to “go and make disciples” by loving God and loving neighbor.