What Is Ministry in General and In a Technical Sense?

People, especially church people, hear and have heard the word, “ministry.” It translates the Greek word, diakonia, a noun that is found thirty-four times in the New Testament. There are many related words, including the verb form, diakoneo, which means, “to serve.”

In a general way, the term translated “ministry” means “service,” which is sometimes also how the King James Version (KJV) translates the word. “Ministry” is also related to “minister,” diakonos, which the KJV transliterates “deacon” on at least three occasion. “Ministry” is service to the Lord. When someone ministers, he serves. The minister is a servant.

The foremost lexicon in the Greek language in one of the definitions based on the usage of the word “minister” (diakonos), says, “one who gets something done, at the behest of a superior.” Another lexicon says, “One who serves or a servant who executes the commands of another.” The word comes from dia ("through") and konis ("dust"), which shows the lowly nature, someone moving through the dust, emphasizing humble obedience. In the New Testament, it is anyone who serves in the cause of Christ in whatever capacity. This assumes in accordance with the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, doing what He wants.

I want to focus on “ministry” in the technical sense, because the New Testament uses the terminology, “work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). The pastor perfects the saints for this work. In a technical sense, the ministry in the New Testament relates to evangelism and discipleship, which is how the church is edified or built up. This examines the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who did that work Himself continuously in His earthly life. Following Him and doing His work means serving Him in doing the same work that He did, imitating Him.