God has given the ministry as a gift to His people, a vital means of instruction and guidance. Jesus Christ Himself supplied the ministry, as seen in Ephesians 4:11, where He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Their purpose, as stated in Ephesians 4:12, is for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ. This equipping involves preparing the saints for service in divine things, shaping them for future positions in the Kingdom of God, where they will judge the world and even angels, as noted in I Corinthians 6:2-3. The ministry's role is to perfect the members, bringing them from the point of their calling to the condition they should be in to serve God. This includes helping the flock live a better life now, with the ultimate goal of preparing them for rulership in the Kingdom. They edify the body of Christ by providing instruction for spiritual profit and advancement, acting as builders in helping Jesus Christ construct His temple, the church, as described in I Corinthians 3:9-10. Their task is to foster unity of faith and harmony with God and His goals, imparting clear and exact knowledge to help brethren grow to their fullest potential, reaching spiritual adulthood and maturity in mind, action, virtue, and excellence, mirroring the stature of Christ, as outlined in Ephesians 4:13-15. The ministry bears a tremendous responsibility, not of their own design, but as called by God. They must teach in a way that helps members grow, building spiritual principles layer by layer. Their authority, given by the Lord, is for edification and not destruction, as emphasized in II Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10. Correction, when necessary, should always aim to help and build up, not to tear down. Ministers are to reflect Jesus Christ, showing love, patience, and service in preaching, counseling, and even correction, as modeled by the apostle Paul in I Thessalonians 3:8-13 and 4:1. God inspires the ministry, placing His words and teachings in their mouths for the edification of the church, as seen in II Corinthians 5:18-20. Their doctrine and teaching come through revelation from Jesus Christ, not from human origin, as Paul explains in Galatians 1:11-12. They are ambassadors for Christ, pleading on His behalf for reconciliation with God. However, they must remain faithful, for God can withdraw His Spirit and inspiration if a minister strays or compromises with truth, as warned in Matthew 7:21-23 and 10:33. Ministers are not to lord over the flock but to serve willingly as examples, as instructed in I Peter 5:1-3. They work for Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, who remains unchanging in His concern and involvement, as affirmed in Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6-7. Their role is essential, for without a preacher, how shall the people hear and believe, as questioned in Romans 10:14-17? Thus, the ministry stands as a crucial conduit of God's teaching, guiding the church toward spiritual maturity and readiness for His Kingdom.

The responsibility of ministry within the context of God's purpose is to serve, not to control. The authority of the ministry is derived from God, as all authority on earth is, but it does not equate to being the government of God. The government of God rests on the shoulders of Christ, as prophesied, and is ultimately in heaven, not within the church. The ministry must operate within the parameters of authority given by God, avoiding the imposition of control over individuals, as this contradicts the divine principle of free moral agency necessary for developing godly character. Ministers are called to be servants, as Christ taught, focusing on facilitating order and peace within the community rather than enforcing submission through external force. The operation of God's government depends on each person, including ministers, governing themselves and not exceeding the authority granted to them. Ministers must submit to the Word of God as the ultimate authority, ensuring they do not lead others into sin or idolatry by promoting a human-centered church government as divine. The responsibility extends to handling authority with humility, kindness, and meekness, making choices that reflect godly character. Ministers should encourage self-government among the congregation, guiding them to make right choices through teaching and example, rather than control. If a minister's directive conflicts with God's law, the higher allegiance to God's Word must prevail, though submission to consequences may still be required. Ultimately, the ministry's role is to support the transformation into the image of Christ by fostering an environment where individuals freely choose to align with God's truth.

A minister of God's household, as depicted in the Parable of the Householder in Matthew 13:51-52, bears significant responsibility as a student, teacher, and leader. Our Savior illustrates that such a minister possesses a rich, inspired storehouse of spiritual treasures from which to draw in fulfilling their duties. Like a scribe trained for the Kingdom of Heaven, a minister dedicates their life to studying God's written Word to expound and illustrate its laws, statutes, and principles, helping others live God's abundant way of life. They are continually learning to sustain their ability to teach, following the example Jesus set by sending out His disciples to preach the Kingdom of God. The householder, or master of the house, holds great authority and responsibility over their household, making final decisions for its welfare. In the context of church government, a minister of God is commissioned as an authoritative teacher of Holy Scripture, tasked with preaching the gospel, equipping the saints, and aiding in spiritual growth toward the fullness of Christ. This role involves bringing forth from their treasure both new and old, utilizing a storehouse of knowledge and experience to provide for their spiritual family. The new and old represent a balanced approach to teaching, drawing from both the Old and New Testaments to ensure a comprehensive understanding, neither discarding the old nor neglecting the fresh insights. Thus, ministers, taught by Jesus Christ and inspired by His Word, are to reflect this knowledge to their spiritual families, enriching the church with the wisdom they have received.

The church constitutes Christ's treasure, hidden in the world, purchased and redeemed with Christ's blood. The Pearl of Great Price depicts a rich merchant (Christ), the only one who had the means to redeem His church. The Dragnet symbolizes the scope of God's calling while the separation process indicates God's high standards of selection, indicating a time of righteous and impartial judgment. The Householder parable shows the responsibility of the ministry to be authoritative interpreters of scripture, using what they have learned and experienced to instruct the people.