The word "ministry" in our modern vocabulary has taken on a great deal of religious cultural baggage. Being "in the Ministry" today can mean that you're a member of a recognized clergy group. It can also mean that you work for a religious non-profit organization such as a homeless mission or soup kitchen. It can even mean that you collect millions of dollars, in the name of Jesus, in order to finance your lavish lifestyle. These are the ways that ministry is defined today but if we are going to be biblical about this word ministry, then it has one simple definition...service.
The Object of Our Service
Ultimately no matter who or how we serve, our service is directed toward the Lord. Through the grace of Christ, God has allowed us the privilege of serving him. Not that God needs our service. He is the only truly self sufficient being in existence. Since all things came from him, he is in need of nothing. The privilege of serving God is extended to us for our good. We are most fulfilled as human beings when we are engaged in serving. It's the way were made by our creator.God, Servant to Creation.
One of the great mysteries of God is that at his heart, God is a servant. When God became a man, he took the form of a servant. This is the form that God choose for his Son in order to reveal the himself to us. It's humbling to consider that the All Mighty God lowered himself to serve us. If Jesus, who had the glory of the Father, lowered himself to the level of a servant, then how can we do any less?Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.
Phil 2:5-8 (WEB)
