Ministry on the Island

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.

Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry-he came, not to receive service, but to give it (see Matthew 20:26-28; 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 20:26-28; Mark 10:43.

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.

Ministry today has taken on more of a vocational meaning as we call ministers to full-time service.

Pastors do spend their lives in the ministry, they do minister to others, and they can rightly be designated as ministers, but ministers are not the only ones who are to be involved in ministry.

From the early New Testament churches to the churches of our day, each Christian should be in the ministry of helping others (see 2 Timothy 2:24-26).

The content of ministry seems to prioritize the ministering in spiritual things, not just practical things. Ministry can, and should, include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, vocational, and financial needs of others. Jesus did, and so should we!