Christian ministry

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Christian ministry" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced. (January 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article duplicates the scope of other articles, specifically Mission (Christianity). Please discuss this issue and help introduce a summary style to the article. (August 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith, the prototype being the Great Commission. The Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism".^[1] It is performed by most Christians, although the early church recognised that "devotion to prayer and the ministry of the word" was a special part of the role of the apostles,^[2] thus distinguishing general "ministry" from the "office of minister" to which specific individuals who feel a certain vocation.^[3] It can signify this activity as a whole, or specific activities, or organizations within a church dedicated to specific activities. Some ministries are identified formally as such, and some are not; some ministry is directed towards members of the church, and some towards non-members.