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In Christian Church es, a minister is a man or woman who serves a Congregation or participates in a role in a Parachurch ministry; such persons can minister as a Pastor , Preacher , Bishop , Chaplain , Deacon or Elder . An increasing number of Charsmatic Christians recognize the offices of the Five-fold Ministry , which they consider a Revival of original Christian practice. In Protestant Church es, minister usually refers to a member of the Ordained Clergy who leads a Congregation or participates in a role in a Parachurch ministry; such a person may also be called a Pastor , Preacher , Bishop , Chaplain or Elder . Professional ministers in many religious affiliations are seen as set apart from the community to which they minister through Ordination . They are often provided a Stipend rather than a Wage or Salary . By way of contrast, ministers of low churches, brethren, or non-denominational churches are often uncredentialled and often uncompensated. All denominations make some claim to finding their model of leadership (or church Governance ) in the New Testament . However the variety of relationships is large, ranging from the low church view of a minister as one of the people to that of the minister as Priest , set apart and with special authority. Ecclesiology is the area of theology that relates to church structures and ministry. ISSUES There are contrasting views on the level of remuneration given to ministers relative to the religious community. There is often an expectation that they and their families will eschew ostentation. However there are situations where they are well rewarded for success, whether measured through drawing people to their religious community or enhancing the status or power of the community. There is disagreement between denominations and within some denominations as to whether women, and/or people who are Homosexual can be ministers to their churches. Notable contention over the issue of ordination of practicing homosexuals occurred in the 1990s and early 21st century within the Presbyterian Church USA . The U.S. Episcopalian Church has also experienced substantial internal division over the issue of ordination of practicing homosexuals, as well as being alienated from the Anglican church in the Third World , especially Africa , by contention over the issue. ROLES Ministers may, by themselves or with others:
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS Depending on the denomination the requirements for ministry vary. All denominations require that the minister has a sense of calling. As regards to training, denominations vary from those that emphasise gifts and abilities and place little emphasis on ''book learning'' to those that require advanced Tertiary Education qualifications for example from a Seminary , Theological College or University . References to leadership roles in the New Testament There are a range of references to leadership in the New Testament . One of the clearest references is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16, it outlines the requirements of a minister or Bishop (Episcopay Επισκωπη (Greek), the word is interpreted as ''elder'' by some denominations.): :(1) This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; (4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (8) Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; (9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (10) And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. (11) Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. (12) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (13) For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (14) These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: (15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. RELATED TITLES Priests/Vicars The Roman Catholic , Orthodox churches and Anglican / Episcopal churches refer to their ordained clergy as Priests and Bishops . Minister is not a title used by the ordained clergy (e.g. Priests ) nor is it a form of address for them (see Catholic Minister ). However the term "ordained ministers" may be used to encompass bishops, priests, and deacons. The term ''rector'' (from the Latin word for ''ruler'') or vicar may be used for priests in certain settings, especially in the Anglican and Episcopal traditions. A parish which is responsible for its own finances is overseen by a Rector. A Bishop is nominally in control of a financially-assisted parish but delegates authority to a Vicar (related to the prefix "vice-" meaning substitute/deputy). In the Roman Catholic tradition, the Pope is given the title ''Vicar of Christ''. Pastor See Also: Pastor The term Pastor tends to be used in Lutheran , Baptist and Pentecostal churches. Pastor comes from the Latin word meaning Shepherd and is a reference to Jesus ' use of the title the '' Good Shepherd '' for himself. A person serving as a pastor will be assigned to a local Church or Congregation who may be referred to as his or her ''flock''. Clergyman/Clergywoman The word ''clergy'' derives from the same English root as ''clerk'' and can be traced to the days when those in ordained ministry were among the only Literate members of soceity. The term ''Clerk in Holy Orders'' is still the technical title for certain Christian clergy, and its usage is prevalent in ecclesiastical and Canon Law of some Christian denominations (particularly Anglican provinces in the United Kingdom ). The word ''cleric'' is a common variation of clerk. Through common usage, the word has lost its associations with literacy and clerical work and is usually used as shorthand for any religious minister. Though Christian in origin, the terms can be applied to people in other religious traditions. For example, a Rabbi can be referred to as a clergyman or clergywoman. ''Parson'' is a similar term often applied to ordained priests or ministers. The word is a variant on the English word ''person'' and refers to the person one would see in a community when any matters involving reading and/or writing came up. Dominie, Dom, Don
Chaplain and Almoner, Padre Chaplain as in English and/or Almoner (preferred in many other languages) or their equivalents refer to a Minister who has another type of pastoral 'target group' than a territorial parish congregation (or in addition to one), such as a military unit, school population, patients, etc. The Spanish Padre ('father') is informally used to address them, also in English. Elder Elder s in Christianity are involved in the collective leadership of a local church or of a denomination.
FORMS OF ADDRESS In the majority of churches ordained ministers are titled Reverend , however as above some use the term ''pastor'' and others do not use any specific form of address, in which case it would be Mr, Ms, Miss or Mrs as the case may be. Anglican Churches In Anglican Churches the form address depends on the office the person holds:
Roman Catholic Church In the Roman Catholic Church the form of address depends on the office the person holds:
Orthodox Churches An Orthodox Church metropolitan is addressed as ''Your Eminence''. SEE ALSO |