Aren't we ALL f/ ministers???

Originally posted by Martin
I agree that any service is a ministry, but I guess we're talking about ministering (or serving) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. So I don't really think chairs, beds or any inanimate object counts (without stretching a point to incredulity).

I agree that a kindness or any action shown to a person out of compassion, love or whatever will be in the service of the Lord and to that extent we are all ministers.

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May I respectfully request that ALL moderators and Administrators refer to Webster's Unabridged dictionary BEFORE you edit people's post based on a NEW definition you have made up to suit your own thinking???

And if you must edit my post just DELETE the whole thing. No need to pick and choose what you like.

Apparently many here have not heard the like of Billy Graham, for example. Apparently He would be unable to post here because of his use of words and definitions according to Webster!

I will eliminate the rest of my offensive post for you.

Originally posted by altya
Gerry how do you see ‘minister’

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I see it in the Biblical sense. The term minister has many definitions and applications. Some people though only have ONE idea about it and then they think your application is all WRONG.

Nevertheless one's personal opinions do limit the term in any way.

I think in your country you have Ministers in government. A Prime Minister and many other "Ministers" beneath him.

The term does not always apply to religion. When you encourage a friend you are ministering to his need.

"Go out and make disciples of all nations...." (Matt 28:19).

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, [Eph 6:7] as for the Lord rather than for men," (Col 3:23).

If a person has put their honest Faith in Christ as God, and as the only Head Priest, then they are a full time minister working for Him.

[[I agree that a kindness or any action shown to a person out of compassion, love or whatever will be in the service of the Lord and to that extent we are all ministers.]]

So if we give money to a known murderer that has asked for money while claiming it is for God, it's a service to the Lord?

If we strike someone in the face and force them to open their Bibles and read because we hold the opinion that it would teach them about Jesus, it is a service to Lord?

My point is, we are commanded in the Bible to first love God and then love one another.

First serve Jesus Christ who is God then serve one another.

First see what God has said about the Truth, then minister to others with "gentleness and respect," only in the Truth of His Love.

Not holding our own definition or opinion of what love [compassion, service, help, good works] is. Rather, the definition of Love from God's Word [the Bible].

The road to hell was paved with good intentions. satan thought he knew best for the love and good of everything by trying to take over the throne of God.

That is why I feel it is vital to define Love, full time ministry, and Service only from where His Living True Words exist: the Bible.

So I agree with Gerry, and hope that my post will be taken with a "gentle and respectful" tone of Ministry in the Love of Christ for the purpose of encouraging one another in this thread.