Part of the series on Christianity

History of Christianity Timeline of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth The Apostles Ecumenical councils Great Schism The Crusades Reformation The neutrality and factual accuracy of this section are disputed. ... Image File history File links Christian_cross. ... This article outlines the history of Christianity and provides links to relevant topics. ... Timeline of Christianity (1 AD/CE-Present) The purpose of this chronology is to give a detailed account of Christianity from 1 AD/CE to the present. ... Jesus (8-2 BC/BCE– 29-36 AD/CE),[1] also known as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity. ... The Twelve Apostles (in Koine Greek απόστολος apostolos [1], someone sent forth/sent out, an emissary) were probably Galilean Jewish men (10 names are Aramaic, 4 names are Greek) chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth by Jesus of Nazareth to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles... In Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, an ecumenical council or general council is a meeting of the bishops of the whole church convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice. ... Great Schism redirects here. ... This article is about the medieval crusades. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement which emerged in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe. ...

The Trinity of God God the Father Christ the Son The Holy Spirit For other uses, see Trinity (disambiguation). ... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Christian theology Christian Church Christian worship Grace · Salvation Sermon on the Mount The Ten Commandments Christian theology practices theology from a Christian viewpoint or studies Christianity theologically. ... In Christian theology, One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is a phrase describing the nature of the Christian community and/or Christian Church, in the various meanings it has. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Divine grace is believed by Christians to be the sovereign favor of God exercised in the bestowment of blessings upon those who have no merit in them. ... For other uses, see Salvation (disambiguation). ... The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch. ... This article is about the list of religious and moral imperatives. ...

The Christian Bible Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha The Bible (Hebrew: תנ״ך tanakh, Greek: η Βίβλος hē biblos) (sometimes The Holy Bible, The Book, Word of God, The Word Scripture, Scripture), from Greek (τα) βίβλια, (ta) biblia, (the) books, is the name used by Jews and Christians for their (differing but overlapping) canons of sacred texts. ... Note: Judaism commonly uses the term Tanakh, but not Old Testament, because it does not recognize the concept of a New Testament. ... See New Covenant for the concept translated as New Testament in the KJV. The New Testament (Καινή Διαθήκη), sometimes called the Greek Testament or Greek Scriptures, and sometimes also New Covenant, is the name given to the part of the Christian Bible that was written by various authors c. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

Christian denominations Catholicism Orthodox Christianity Protestantism A denomination, in the Christian sense of the word, is an identifiable religious body, organization under a common name, structure, and/or doctrine. ... This article considers Catholicism in the broadest ecclesiastical sense. ... Orthodox Christianity is a generalized reference to the Eastern traditions of Christianity, as opposed to the Western traditions (which descend through, or alongside of, the Roman Catholic Church) or the Eastern Rite Catholic churches. ... Protestantism is a movement within Christianity, representing the splitting away from the Roman Catholic Church during the mid-to-late Renaissance in Europe—a period known as the Protestant Reformation. ... Christian movements Christian movements are theological, political, or philosophical intepretations of Christianity that are not generally represented by a specific church, sect, or denomination. ...

For other types of minister, see Minister

In Christian churches, 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. A minister can mean several things: A government minister is a politician who heads a government ministry A minister of religion is a member of the clergy A minister is the rank of diplomat directly below ambassador This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that... A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. ... Church in Villach, Austria. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ... Evangelicalism, in a strictly lexical, but rarely used sense, refers to all things that are implied in belief that Jesus is the savior. ... Main article: Minister of religion A pastor is the head minister or priest of a Christian church. ... Preacher is a colloquial term for a clergyman, in particular a local priest, pastor or Minister; one who preaches. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... A chaplain is typically a member of the clergy serving a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church; lay chaplains are also found in some settings such as universities. ... Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ... A religious elder (in Greek, πρεσβυτερος [presbyteros]) is valued for his or her wisdom, in part for their age, on the grounds that the older one is then the more one is likely to know. ... For a description of the personality trait, see Charismatic authority. ... The Five-fold Ministry is a system of church government used by some churches. ... The Apostolic-Prophetic Movement in millenial-era Charismatic Christianity is seen by its participants as a restoration of the neglected elements of the Five-Fold Ministry described in the New Testament book of Ephesians, some apostles, and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the...

In Protestant churches, 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. Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Church in Villach, Austria. ... Ordination is the process in which clergy become authorized by their religious denomination and/or seminary to perform religious rituals and ceremonies. ... Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ... Evangelicalism, in a strictly lexical, but rarely used sense, refers to all things that are implied in belief that Jesus is the savior. ... Main article: Minister of religion A pastor is the head minister or priest of a Christian church. ... Preacher is a colloquial term for a clergyman, in particular a local priest, pastor or Minister; one who preaches. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... A chaplain is typically a member of the clergy serving a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church; lay chaplains are also found in some settings such as universities. ... A religious elder (in Greek, πρεσβυτερος [presbyteros]) is valued for his or her wisdom, in part for their age, on the grounds that the older one is then the more one is likely to know. ...

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. Ordination is the process in which clergy become authorized by their religious denomination and/or seminary to perform religious rituals and ceremonies. ... A stipend is a form of payment or salary, such as for an internship or apprenticeship. ... A wage is the amount of money paid for some specified quantity of labour. ... A salary is a form of periodic payment from an employer to an employee, which is specified in an employment contract. ...

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. See New Covenant for the concept translated as New Testament in the KJV. The New Testament (Καινή Διαθήκη), sometimes called the Greek Testament or Greek Scriptures, and sometimes also New Covenant, is the name given to the part of the Christian Bible that was written by various authors c. ... Roman Catholic priests in traditional clerical clothing. ...

Ecclesiology is the area of theology that relates to church structures and ministry. This article is in need of attention. ...

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. Since its coinage, the word homosexuality has acquired multiple meanings. ... This article needs cleanup. ... For the Jamaican reggae band, see Third World (band). ... A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. ...

Roles

Ministers may, by themselves or with others:

• research and study religion, Scripture and theology
• plan and conduct services of public worship
• preach
• preside over the sacraments of the church. These are:
  • The Lord's Supper also known as the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
  • Baptism of children and/or adults
  • Conducting marriages, funerals and memorial services, anointing the sick or dying, participating in the ordination of other clergy, hearing confession, and confirming young people as members of the Church. (These are considered sacraments in the Roman Catholic tradition but not in most Protestant traditions).
• provide leadership to the congregation, parish or church community, this will often be done as part of a team with lay people in roles such as elders
  • build a community of faith
  • work on developing relationships and networks within that community
  • supervise prayer and discussion groups, retreats and seminars and provide religious instruction
  • assist in co-ordinating volunteers and church community groups
  • train leaders for church, community and youth leadership.
• provide pastoral care
  • provide personal support to people in crises, such as illness, bereavement and family breakdown
  • visit the sick and elderly.*engage in welfare and community services activities of communities
  • may refer people to community support services, psychologists or doctors
• pray and promote spirituality
• keep records as required by civil or church law
• teach on spiritual and theological subjects
• prophesy according to the unction of the Holy Spirit
• establish new churches

Many religions and spiritual movements hold certain written texts (or series of spoken legends not traditionally written down) to be sacred. ... Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason). It can also refer to the study of other religious topics. ... A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace. ... The Lords Supper is a variation of the name and the service of The Last Supper or Eucharist. ... The Eucharist or Communion or The Lords Supper, is the rite that Christians perform in fulfillment of Jesus instruction, recorded in the New Testament, to do in memory of him what he did at his Last Supper. ... The Eucharist is either the Christian sacrament of consecrated bread and wine or the ritual surrounding it. ... Baptism in early Christian art. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Underwater funeral in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea A funeral is a ceremony marking a persons death. ... Ordination is the process in which clergy become authorized by their religious denomination and/or seminary to perform religious rituals and ceremonies. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ... A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. ... Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their group (church, congregation, etc). ...

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. Students attend a lecture at a tertiary institution. ... A seminary is a specialized university-like institution for the purpose of instructing students in religion, often in order to prepare them to become members of the clergy. ... A seminary is a specialized university-like institution for the purpose of instructing students (seminarians) in theology, often in order to prepare them to become members of the clergy. ... A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees at all levels (bachelor, master, and doctor) in a variety of subjects. ...

References to leadership roles in the New Testament

There are a range of references to leadership in the New Testament. See New Covenant for the concept translated as New Testament in the KJV. The New Testament (Καινή Διαθήκη), sometimes called the Greek Testament or Greek Scriptures, and sometimes also New Covenant, is the name given to the part of the Christian Bible that was written by various authors c. ...

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.): A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ...

(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 Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... Episcopalianism is virtually the same thing is Judaism The word episcopal is derived from the Greek επισκοπος epískopos, which literally means overseer; the word, however, is used in religious contexts to refer to a bishop. ... Roman Catholic priest A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... Diocesan College, or Bishops as it is commonly known, is a private school situated in the leafy suburb of Rondebosch in Cape Town, South Africa, at the foot of Table Mountain. ... Roman Catholic priests in traditional clerical clothing. ... Unlike in several Protestant churches, in the Roman Catholic Church the term minister is not commonly used to refer to a member of the clergy nor as a common term of address. ...

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. Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

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. The Pope (from Greek: pappas, father; from Latin: papa, Papa, father) is the head of the Catholic Church. ...

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. Main article: Minister of religion A pastor is the head minister or priest of a Christian church. ... The Lutheran movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity by the original definition. ... A Baptist is a member of a Baptist church. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. ... In a draw in a mountainous region, a shepherd guides a flock of about 20 sheep amidst scrub and olive trees. ... Jesus (8-2 BC/BCE– 29-36 AD/CE),[1] also known as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity. ... The term The Good Shepherd comes from the tenth chapter of John of the gospels, where Jesus is depicted as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. ... Church in Villach, Austria. ... A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ...

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. Literacy is the ability to use text to communicate across space and time. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbī;; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbī) in Judaism, means teacher, or more literally great one. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root-word RaV, which in biblical Hebrew means great or distinguished, (in knowledge). In the ancient Judean schools (and among Sefaradim today) the sages...

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

• Dominie is a specific Scottish word, equivalent to the Dutch Dominee, both from the Latin domine (vocative case of Dominus 'Lord, Master'), only used for protestant clergy or for schoolmasters.
• However in various Romanesque languages, shortened forms of Dominus (Dom, Don) are commonly used for Catholic priests (sometimes also for lay notables as well). Benedictine Monks are titled Dom, as in the style Dom Francis Brown.

In most Protestant churches, a minister is 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. ... A Benedictine is a person who follows the Rule of St Benedict. ... A Roman Catholic monk A monk is a person who practices monasticism, adopting a strict religious and ascetic lifestyle, usually in community with others following the same path. ...

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. A chaplain is typically a member of the clergy serving a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church; lay chaplains are also found in some settings such as universities. ... Almoner (from the Greek eelmosyna alms via Latin Almosunartius and French, known in English since circa 1300) is a chaplain or church officer who originally was in charge of distributing charity. ...

The Spanish Padre ('father') is informally used to address them, also in English. Popular term for a military chaplain in the British army. ...

Elder

Elders in Christianity are involved in the collective leadership of a local church or of a denomination. A religious elder (in Greek, πρεσβυτερος [presbyteros]) is valued for his or her wisdom, in part for their age, on the grounds that the older one is then the more one is likely to know. ...

• In Presbyterianism they are ordained but not clergy, taking on no special pre-nominal, but functioning as the ruling elders of the Kirk Session or Church Session superintending the members of their parish or congregation.

• In the Assemblies of God and the Metropolitan Community Church Elders are the most senior leaders serving, leading, and supervising the world-wide denomination. In the Metropolitan Community Church an Elder can be a lay person or clergy.

Presbyterianism is a form of Protestant Christianity, in the reformed branch of Christendom, as well as a particular form of church government. ... Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. ... Pre-nominal letters are a title which is placed before the name of a person as distinct from a post-nominal title which is placed after the name. ... Presbyterian governance of a church is typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. ... The Assemblies of God is the worlds largest Pentecostal Protestant Christian denomination. ... The Metropolitan Community Church (in full, The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches or UFMCC) is an international fellowship of Protestant Christian congregations. ...

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. The Reverend is an honorary prefix added to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. ...

Anglican Churches

In Anglican Churches the form address depends on the office the person holds:

• A priest is referred to as Reverend (as in the Reverend Mr Smith, or the Reverend John Brown, but not as Reverend Smith) or in High Church or Anglo-Catholic circles as Father;

• Bishops and archbishops are addressed as Your Grace or My Lord.

High Church is a term that may now be used in speaking of viewpoints within a number of denominations of Protestant Christianity in general, but it is one which has traditionally been employed in Churches associated with the Anglican tradition in particular. ... ...

Roman Catholic Church

In the Roman Catholic Church the form of address depends on the office the person holds:

• A priest is referred to as Reverend Father or Reverend Sir, or less formally as Father;

• A bishop is addressed as Your Grace;

• A Cardinal is addressed as Your Eminence;

• The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church can be addressed as Holy Father or Your Holiness.

The Pope (from Greek: pappas, father; from Latin: papa, Papa, father) is the head of the Catholic Church. ...

Orthodox Churches

An Orthodox Church metropolitan is addressed as Your Eminence.

See also

• Ministers and elders in the Church of Scotland
• Five-Fold Ministry