Minister (Christianity)

In Christianity, a minister is a person authorised by a church or other religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community. The term is taken from Latin minister ("servant", "attendant").^[1] In some church traditions the term is usually used for people who have been ordained, but in other traditions it can also be used for non-ordained.

In the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, Anglicanism and Lutheranism, the concept of a priesthood is emphasized, though in the Church of England there are nearly as many non-ordained Licensed Lay Ministers (also known as Readers) as there are paid clergy.^[2] In other traditions such as Baptist, Methodist, and Calvinist groups like Congregationalists and Presbyterians, the term "minister" usually refers to a member of the ordained clergy who leads a congregation or participates in a role in a parachurch ministry; such a person may serve as an elder (presbyter), pastor, preacher, bishop, or chaplain.

Ministers are also described as being a woman/man of the cloth. With respect to ecclesiastical address, many ministers are styled as "The Reverend"; however, some use "Pastor" or "Father" as a title.

assist in co-ordinating volunteers and church community groups

assist in any general administrative service

conduct ceremonies, funerals and memorial services, participate in the ordination of other clergy, and confirming young people as members of a local church

marriage

encourage local church endeavors

engage in and community services activities of communities

welfare

establish new local churches

keep records as required by or church law

civil

plan and conduct services of

public worship

preach

and encourage others to be theocentric (that is, God-focused)

pray

Lord's Supper

provide leadership to the , parish or church community, this may be done as part of a team with lay people in roles such as elders

congregation

refer people to community support services, or doctors

psychologists

research and study religion, and theology

Scripture

supervise prayer and discussion groups, retreats and seminars, and provide religious instruction

teach on spiritual and theological subjects

train leaders for church, community and youth leadership

work on developing relationships and networks within the religious community

provide in various contexts

pastoral care

provide personal support to people in crises, such as illness, bereavement and family breakdown

visit the sick and elderly to counsel and comfort them and their families

administer when designated to do so^[4]

Last Rites

the first style of ministering is the player coach style. In this style, the pastor is a "participant in all the processes that the church uses to reach people and see them transformed

the second style of ministering is the delegating style, in which the minister develops members of the church to point that they can be trusted

the third style of ministering is the directing style where the minister gives specific instructions and then supervises the congregation closely

the last and fourth style of ministering is the combination style, which a minister allows directional ministering from a pastoral staff member

mention prayer of salvation to those interested in becoming a believer

The Church of England defines the ministry of priests as follows:

Ministers may perform some or all of the following duties:

are the primary clergy, administering all sacraments and governing the church.

Bishops

administer the sacraments and lead local congregations; they cannot ordain other clergy, however, nor consecrate buildings.

Priests

In some denominations, play a non-sacramental and assisting role in the liturgy.

deacons

consider every baptized Witness to be a "minister"; the religion permits any qualified baptized adult male to perform a baptism, funeral, or wedding.^[8] Typically, however, each such service is performed by an elder or a "ministerial servant" (that is, a deacon), one of the men appointed to "take the lead" in local congregations. Witnesses do not use "elder" or any other term as a title, and do not capitalize the term.^[9] They do not accept payment and are not salaried employees or considered "paid clergy". They support themselves financially. Appointments are made directly by Circuit Overseers under the authority of the local Branch, and Governing Body; appointment is said to be "by holy spirit" because "the qualifications [are] recorded in God's spirit-inspired Word" and because appointing committees "pray for holy spirit".^[10]

Jehovah's Witnesses

In many evangelical churches a group (multiple elders as opposed to a single elder) of (non-staff) elders serve as the spiritual "shepherds" or caretakers of the congregation,^[12] usually giving spiritual direction to the pastoral staff, enforcing church discipline, etc. In some denominations these elders are called by other names, i.e.; traditionally "Deacons" in many Baptist churches function as spiritual leaders.^[13] In some cases these elders are elected and serve fixed terms. In other cases they are not elected but rather they are "recognized by the congregation as those appointed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28) and meeting the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7."^[14]

[11]

Priests and deacons, from ordination onwards—The Reverend

Priests and deacons appointed as —The Reverend Canon

canons

Deans (or Provosts) of a cathedral church—The Very Reverend

Archdeacons of a diocese or region—The Venerable

Bishops (diocesan, suffragan, or coadjutor)—The Right Reverend

Archbishops (and other )—The Most Reverend

primate bishops

Anglican ministry

Ecclesiastical titles and styles

Ministers and elders of the Church of Scotland

Recorded Minister