Who is the minister in your church? How would you answer this question? What does the Bible say?

Who is the minister in your church? It is Christ’s church, not mine Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. This is not an insignificant point. Too many consider the doctrine and structure of “their church” to be a matter of personal preference.

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. Preposition “of” denotes ownership. Not a proper name, rather a designation of possession.

Who is the minister in your church? It is Christ’s church, not mine Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16 Preachers are ministers 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:18-19

Definition of Minister  (diakonos) an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); -- deacon, minister, servant. The word indicates one who is a servant, without specifying what kind of service is rendered.

1 Thessalonians 3:2...and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith. Timothy was an evangelist

2 Timothy 4:5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. The word minister does not indicate a title, but a work of service. In an evangelist’s case, service in the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Who is the minister in your church? It is Christ’s church, not mine Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16 Preachers are ministers 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:18-19 Deacons are ministers 1 Timothy 3:8-12; Acts 6:2-5

1 Timothy 3:8-12 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Acts 6:2-5 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude.

Who is the minister in your church? It is Christ’s church, not mine Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16 Preachers are ministers 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:18-19 Deacons are ministers 1 Timothy 3:8-12; Acts 6:2-5 Every Christian should be a minister! Ephesians 4:11-12,16; 2 Corinthians 9:1,12

Ephesians 4:11-12,16 (11-12), And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (16), from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

2 Corinthians 9:1,12 (1), Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you. (12), For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.

Conclusi on Who is a minister in Christ’s church? Mark 10:42-45 We all are!

Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."