Within many churches, the traditional idea of a minister is one who performs duties pertaining to teaching, preaching, and serving the congregation. Dictionary.com offers one definition of a minister is a person authorized to conduct religious worship. The calling and 'position' of a minister is often identified as a 'stepping stone' toward becoming a church pastor, moving from a minister to elder, then pastor.

As Paul illustrates in his letter to the Ephesians, there are certain gifts given to equip and perfect the saints:

Ephesians 4:11-16 (WEB) - He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

Within many churches, we can find a definitive line drawn between the clergy (ministers, pastors, elders, etc.) and the congregation. Many congregants believe they have no responsibility to have a good understanding of the Bible or to share God's word with others. They believe this is only for the minister, elder, or pastor and doesn't pertain to them...

Now because of this ideal, Christianity is filled with 'babes' in Christ that feed on the milk of God's word and are unable to handle the mature things of Christ:

Hebrews 5:12-14 (WEB) - For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

The end result has been a culture of Christians that promote doctrines that are infused with worldly concepts and ideals. This 'infusion' is suited more toward fleshly desires of men (man and woman) than the Word of God:

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (WEB) - For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

Now, almost all Christians agree that Jesus' commission to the eleven disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 (WEB) applies to all Christians:

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Though all Christians may not be called to preach or pastor (or as listed in Ephesians 4:11-16), I believe there are others ways Christians can fulfill their duty as ministers of the gospel.

Two additional definitions for minister in Dictionary.com are:

(1) A person serving as an agent for another by carrying out specified orders or functions.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (WEB) - Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Matthew 5:14-16 (WEB) - You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

John 13:34-35 (WEB) - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Matthew 25:31-46 (WEB) - But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?' "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.' These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Our words and deeds identify our association with God and bring glory to His name. As you can see from the scriptures above, they don't pertain entirely to sharing Biblical messages, but at some point these same people may ask you about God or your relationship with Him. What will you tell them?

You can be an effective minister for Christ within your home, at the workplace, working out at the gym, and on your travels in-between. You never know when an opportunity to present Christ is available. You never know who's watching!

Start with a review of (Hebrews 5:12-14 and Titus 2:11-14). Open your mind and life to the fullness of God!