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Ministry
Christian ministry is the public activity of a baptized follower of Jesus Christ flowing from the Holy Spirit's charism and an individual personality on behalf of a Christian community to proclaim, serve and realize the kingdom of God.
Works become ministry when its activity is for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It is a recognizable service of the kingdom that makes the kingdom explicit. On behalf of the Christian community, ministry begins with the Christian community, flows out from that community and nourishes and expands the community. "On behalf of" demands action born in a local church. Ministry normally takes on visible and public form in words and action.
The mission of the gospel, the power of the Spirit, and the richness and the misery of human life are such that ministry emerges in different forms.
(Taken from a presentation by Msgr. John B. Dewane at a recent talk, based on Fr. O'Meara's book, The Nature of Ministry, pages 41 & 150)
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