This is my third article on Christian ministry.
The first was an explanation of Minor Orders/Instituted Ministries as the Gospel fulfillment of the the ministry of the Levites under the Mosaic Law. This was occasioned by my own tonsuring and elevation to the Office of Reader
The second was an explanation that, under the Gospel, the Law's Levitical Priesthood is replaced by the Priesthood of Melchizedek.
In this article, I wish to examine the ministries which are included as part of the Royal Priesthood, i.e., the Priesthood of all Believers.
St. Paul enumerates them in his Epistle to the Ephesians (4:11) as "Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers". The first objection that some might raise is that these ministries should be reserved to the ordained clergy. The New Testament doesn't seem to think so; Acts 21:9 mentions that Philip had 4 daughters who were prophets.
And, that is how we can speak of Protestants having a Christian ministry. After all, they are, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, in an imperfect Communion with the Church. Imperfect because of the lack of Sacraments (except Baptism and Matrimony); but yet still in some sort of communion, by virtue of the grace of baptism. While as Catholics we can differ with some of his theology, can we agree that Billy Graham was certainly an Evangelist?
So, what does St. Paul mean for each of these?
Apostle - one who is sent. In its original meaning, it would mean something akin to missionary or church planter. In today's world, it certainly can mean that. A group of immigrants, e.g., move into a new area, and they start a work which eventually becomes a parish. They have done the work of an apostle.
Or, consider St. Luke. He accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys as a helper, historian, doctor, etc. He contributed to the Apostle's work. Today, groups like 40 Days for Life are lay led, but they are certainly doing the Lord's work.
Prophet - a prophet, quite simply, is one who speaks the word of God. It's not necessarily a question of foretelling, but forthtelling. Laity who give a Christian perspective on current events - they are fulfilling a prophetic ministry. Lay Dominicans - my own order - preaching in their own state of life - a prophetic ministry. And, of course, a deacon, priest, or bishop who preaches a parish Lenten mission - it's all prophetic ministry.
Evangelist - one who preaches the Ευαγγέλιον, the Gospel. One whose ministry is centered around introducing Christ as God Incarnate to those who are uninformed.
Pastors and Teachers - Some commentators separate this into two ministries, some don't. It seems to me that this is one ministry, for one who guides is necessarily one who teaches. When I was President of a Lay Dominican chapter, I was operating pastorally for those people. And it did involve my teaching them. A role of leadership will always have pastoral implications, and it will always involve teaching to a degree.
Now obviously, there is a great deal of overlap between these. But, we are all called to minister to each other, and to the world.
A member of the Priesthood of Melchizedek ministers to Christians, specifically with the sacraments. A member of the Royal Priesthood (of which the Melchizedek Priesthood is a part) ministers to the world, in the context of these ministries, using the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and 7 Spiritual Acts of Mercy.
So, let me challenge you - how can you minister to your neighbor today?
The first was an explanation of Minor Orders/Instituted Ministries as the Gospel fulfillment of the the ministry of the Levites under the Mosaic Law. This was occasioned by my own tonsuring and elevation to the Office of Reader
The second was an explanation that, under the Gospel, the Law's Levitical Priesthood is replaced by the Priesthood of Melchizedek.
In this article, I wish to examine the ministries which are included as part of the Royal Priesthood, i.e., the Priesthood of all Believers.
St. Paul enumerates them in his Epistle to the Ephesians (4:11) as "Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers". The first objection that some might raise is that these ministries should be reserved to the ordained clergy. The New Testament doesn't seem to think so; Acts 21:9 mentions that Philip had 4 daughters who were prophets.
And, that is how we can speak of Protestants having a Christian ministry. After all, they are, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, in an imperfect Communion with the Church. Imperfect because of the lack of Sacraments (except Baptism and Matrimony); but yet still in some sort of communion, by virtue of the grace of baptism. While as Catholics we can differ with some of his theology, can we agree that Billy Graham was certainly an Evangelist?
So, what does St. Paul mean for each of these?
Apostle - one who is sent. In its original meaning, it would mean something akin to missionary or church planter. In today's world, it certainly can mean that. A group of immigrants, e.g., move into a new area, and they start a work which eventually becomes a parish. They have done the work of an apostle.
Or, consider St. Luke. He accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys as a helper, historian, doctor, etc. He contributed to the Apostle's work. Today, groups like 40 Days for Life are lay led, but they are certainly doing the Lord's work.
Prophet - a prophet, quite simply, is one who speaks the word of God. It's not necessarily a question of foretelling, but forthtelling. Laity who give a Christian perspective on current events - they are fulfilling a prophetic ministry. Lay Dominicans - my own order - preaching in their own state of life - a prophetic ministry. And, of course, a deacon, priest, or bishop who preaches a parish Lenten mission - it's all prophetic ministry.
Evangelist - one who preaches the Ευαγγέλιον, the Gospel. One whose ministry is centered around introducing Christ as God Incarnate to those who are uninformed.
Pastors and Teachers - Some commentators separate this into two ministries, some don't. It seems to me that this is one ministry, for one who guides is necessarily one who teaches. When I was President of a Lay Dominican chapter, I was operating pastorally for those people. And it did involve my teaching them. A role of leadership will always have pastoral implications, and it will always involve teaching to a degree.
Now obviously, there is a great deal of overlap between these. But, we are all called to minister to each other, and to the world.
A member of the Priesthood of Melchizedek ministers to Christians, specifically with the sacraments. A member of the Royal Priesthood (of which the Melchizedek Priesthood is a part) ministers to the world, in the context of these ministries, using the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and 7 Spiritual Acts of Mercy.
So, let me challenge you - how can you minister to your neighbor today?
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