Ministry and Ministers in the Church of Christ.

What is ministry and who is a minister are questions most people asked or are eager to find detail information about. There are 3 classification to Christian approach when ministry is discussed.

Some Christian claimed they are ordained and called into ministries such as Pastoring, Prophetic office and Evangelist. These are people who occupied the most prominent and visible positions among the Church. Others are into so called minor services like administration, help, choir, children coordinators, security, sanitation etc. Most time they are unnoticed and in fact some of them are praying for God to call them into ministry. They don't usually consider themselves as people called into ministry just because they are not in category one. The third category are just comfortable with been members alone. Some of these last set believe you must be specifically called by God into ministry. So why waiting for that audible voice call or the frightening dreams or vision, they do nothing in the kingdom. Their common statement is "I AM NOT CALLED".

What is Ministry? 
Ministry is simply an assignment, service, work, task, duty given to an individual to be carried out or executed. It is also the spiritual work or service of a Christian or a group of Christians, especially Evangelical.

Who is a Minister?
The word "minister" means "servant." To minister to someone means to serve them. So in a sense, all Christians should be ministers. However, in religious context, the term "minister" is usually used to designate a person authorized to oversee religious activities such as church services, funerals, weddings, and the like. Some people use "clergy" or "pastor" to mean the same thing as "minister."

Closer look at definition of minister here above. There is God standard definition of who a minister is and also a man made definition. Simply put, A CHRISTIAN WHO AGREED WITH GOD TO SERVE MEN IN AREAS OF HIS GIFTS/TALENTS IS A MINISTER. Ministry is not an authority conferred by men to perform spiritual rituals. It is God arranged avenue for Christian to serve and bring souls to God's kingdom.

Degree of Operations.
Having establish what ministry and who ministers are. It is very important for us to understand that each of us have different divine purposes in God's agenda.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7,18,27-28 KJV

The whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 12 give details of how God empowered His children for good and effective services. It is an established fact that no man can do everything God want to accomplish on earth. In fact scripture affirmed that labourers are few compare to God's divine assignments available.  It is also important to know that each person has his/her God program capacity and purpose to deliver in His agenda. The foolishness of comparison was the reason why the man with one talent buried it. This same reason is why many couldn't find perfect expression in what they do for God today. Some are heavenly designed to win souls in Millions, thousands, hundreds, tens and unit. The joy of doing what God place in our hand and capacity per time is that, it will multiply and increase our ranking with God just like the man with ten talents. The danger of waiting to operate in someone else's capacity will be total loss both here on earth and eternity.

There are shouting ministries and substle(passive) ministries. Most neglected is that woman/man constantly on the knees in prayer of revival. That person faithfully cleaning to sanitize the environment before people gathered cannot be notice like the guests speaker working wonders and open miracles. That person who was behind the drums compared to vocalist. Failure to notice them for applaud has relegated them. In fact many of them don't know they are in ministry because they were not ordained and authorized by men.

Go ye!  The general and ultimate call.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.   And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;   They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-18, 20 KJV

For those waiting for call from God. This is instructive enough to defile waste of God grace upon us in unnecessary waiting. These scriptures gave clear direction on God assignment for anyone who believe, is saved and Holy Spirit filled. Go ye and bring others is the call. Bringing other based on the spiritual capacity at the moment. No matter how low the knowledge of God a believer has, it is just enough to bring someone to Christ. Enough to heal the sick, raise the death and trample upon all the enemies of the gospel. When the apostles got this call, they immediately went into action without delay. Jesus himself when he was anointed with Holy Ghost and power went about doing good, healing all oppressed by the devil for God was with Him. All believer in Christ have this power to do likewise. Find out what God has deposited in you through the Holy Spirit and minister it unto others.

In conclusion to be call a minister is not when men pronounced you as one. Ministering is showcasing God's goodness to the world. Responsibility differ, either as a shouting or passive minister. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Those silent ministries commands God special blessings. Just like the most important parts of our body are not the outward but internal organs. If the Church can get understanding that no one is superior, the Pastor not more than Usher, Prophet not better than Sanitation minister, Teachers not better than Administrators. Everyone should appreciate their calling and focus on heavenly assignment of winning souls at all levels. In fact Government is a ministry, one wonders how many Christians in ministries and political offices have the knowledge that they are there like Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah, David etc to exhort God and serve men. Some their callings too may be serving God with the professional skills they acquire. The scripture encourage us to do everything to the glory of God. There is an intended purpose from God for all our daily approach to men. And that is to focus all our skill/talent/anointing to winning souls. That is why we are all ministers.

 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.1 Corinthians 12:23 KJV

Who is a minister, that person who uses whatever he/she has to draw others to Jesus Christ. What is Ministry, serving others for the sake of pleasing God. Not all ministers or ministry are noticeable easily by men. But both are of great reward from God. Find yours and start serving. You've been called and ordained by God therefore don't wait for men ordination. It is good but it may just be titles and ceremonial. All Christian are ministers and each have different role in God's agenda on earth.