Minister (Christianity)

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A Methodist minister wearing a cassock, vested with a surplice and stole, with preaching bands attached to his clerical collar

In Christianity, a minister is a person authorized by a church, or other religious organization, to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community.

The term is taken from Latin minister ("servant", "attendant").^[1]

References

↑ "Etymologically, a minister is a person of 'lower' status, a 'servant'. The word goes back via Old French ministre to Latin minister 'servant, attendant', which was derived from 'minus', 'less'." http://www.word-origins.com/definition/minister.html^{[permanent dead link]}

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[1] "Etymologically, a minister is a person of 'lower' status, a 'servant'. The word goes back via Old French ministre to Latin minister 'servant, attendant', which was derived from 'minus', 'less'." http://www.word-origins.com/definition/minister.html^{[permanent dead link]}

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