Minister, Christian

The Christian minister (Greek diakonos, "servant"; leitourgos, "one who performs public service") serves as an authorized representative and servant of Christ and his church. Jesus defined the paradigm: "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mark 10:43–44; Matt. 20:26–28), rooting ministry in self-giving service rather than hierarchical authority. The NT distinguishes various ministry roles — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers (Eph. 4:11) — all given to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of the body (Eph. 4:12). Paul describes his own apostolic ministry as the proclamation of Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2), a "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18), and a stewardship of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:17; Col. 1:25). Qualifications for overseers and deacons are detailed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, emphasizing character, household management, and doctrinal soundness. The Reformation recovered the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:5, 9), while affirming the distinctive calling of ordained ministry for word, sacrament, and oversight.