The ministry is composed of ministers who minister. Of course we all know this because some brethren have taught for years that...

The ministry is a profession in which one earns a living by being supported to preach "full time" by a local church or churches. And, woe be unto the one who quits "full time preaching" for he has "quit the ministry".

Ministers are men (women are not allowed) who are "full time, located preachers" who do a greater work and exert a greater influence than the rest of their brethren.

To minister is to do the work of a "full time, located preacher" can include just about anything the brethren want him to do.

No...I'm not trying to lessen the importance of and need for men to devote themselves to preaching the gospel. Nor am I opposed to "full time, located preachers" or in favor of women doing the "work of an evangelist" as Paul describes it to Timothy. But, the concept of "the ministry" described above and held to by many brethren is a bit different from that which is seen in the scriptures. Let's look at the context of Eph. 4:11-12 in order to bring the first century concept of "the ministry" into sharper, more accurate, focus.

Vss. 8-11 describe certain "gifts" that had been given to men: those who were apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors who were teachers. The purpose or function of these men with spiritual gifts is described in vs. 12 (note the change of prepositions in the ASV): "for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ..."

What was the work of these men? It was for the perfecting (preparing, making ready) of the saints unto something. "Unto" what? Unto the work of ministering (service) and unto the building up (edifying) of the body of Christ. Who were the ministers? The saints. Who was to do the edifying? The saints. What does this text suggest about the proper concept of "the ministry"?

The ministry is a way of life (see "walk" in 4:1,17; 5:2,8,15) entered at baptism (4:5) and left only when we die or apostatize.

The ministers are the saints---all of them, including women. Each has a different role, but all are of equal value to the whole body (1 Cor. 12:12-31). A minister who preaches "full time" is not the minister and is of no greater importance and influence than a minister who is a "worker at home" (Tit. 2:5), or slave (Philemon 8-20; see also Rom. 16:1-15). To cure a Muhammad Ali complex ("I'm the greatest") read Mk. 10:42-45.

To minister is to make our contribution to the "servicing" and edifying of our brethren (1 Thess. 5:11).

The greatest work is done, the best influence is exerted, by saints who view themselves as ministers with a great work of ministering to be done. This concept of "the ministry" needs to be restored. Will you help?