ministry
ministry — noun
1. a top-level section of national government — found especially in the UK and Comm
a top-level section of national government — found especially in the UK and Commonwealth states — responsible for a single policy area such as education, defence, or health, overseen by a senior government figure known as a minister
The Ministry of Education has introduced new guidelines for primary school assessments.
capitalised name: the Ministry of [area]
Haruto spent six years as a policy analyst at the Ministry of Health before moving to the private sector.
working at the Ministry of [area]
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence refused to confirm the details of the arms deal.
Sivan was appointed deputy director of the Ministry of Culture last spring.
Obi filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Housing about the slow repair work.
- department
more common in the US and for non-ministerial bodies
- office
can refer to a subdivision within a ministry or a smaller government body
文法句型
the Ministry of [area/function]
用法筆記
In the United States, equivalent bodies are usually called 'departments' (e.g., Department of Defense) rather than 'ministries.' In Commonwealth countries, 'ministry' is standard.
常見錯誤
2. the professional work and duties of a Christian minister or pastor, which includ
the professional work and duties of a Christian minister or pastor, which includes leading worship services, preaching, offering spiritual guidance, and caring for the members of a church community
Christopher began his ministry at a small Baptist church in rural Louisiana right after seminary.
began [possessive] ministry + location
The pastor's ministry included weekly home visits to elderly members who could not attend services.
Sana devoted nearly forty years to Christian ministry, serving congregations in three different countries.
Trinity Church runs a popular youth ministry that holds sports events and music workshops each summer.
Lien wrote about the history of women in ministry across European Protestant churches for her doctorate.
- pastorate
more specific to Protestant church leadership; slightly less common
- pastoral care
focuses on the caring aspect of the work rather than the full range of duties
文法句型
[possessive] + ministry
in + ministry
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive (e.g., 'her ministry,' 'his ministry') to describe an individual pastor's period or style of service. Broader than sense 3 — this sense covers all Christian denominations, not only Catholic or Orthodox traditions.
常見錯誤
3. the lifelong religious vocation of serving as a priest, especially in the Cathol
the lifelong religious vocation of serving as a priest, especially in the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican traditions, which involves administering sacraments, celebrating Mass or Divine Liturgy, and providing spiritual leadership to a parish
Father Vikram felt called to the ministry while working at a Catholic mission in Mumbai.
called to [the] ministry (religious vocation)
The bishop emphasised the importance of humility for anyone preparing for ordained ministry.
Élise spent five years in silent discernment before deciding to enter priestly ministry.
The Vatican reaffirmed the celibacy requirement for those in priestly ministry within the Latin Rite.
Liam spent his first year in ordained ministry serving a small parish in the Scottish Highlands.
- priesthood
more specific; refers exclusively to the office of a priest
- holy orders
formal theological term for the sacrament of ordination
文法句型
enter + [the] + ministry
serve in + [the] + ministry
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 3 specifically refers to the ordained priesthood with sacramental duties, whereas sense 2 covers the work of ministers and pastors across all Christian denominations. 'Enter the ministry' in this sense means being ordained as a priest.
4. the large office building where the staff and officials of a government ministry
the large office building where the staff and officials of a government ministry work, usually located in or near a capital city
The old Ministry of Agriculture building near the river has been converted into a museum.
the [name] Ministry + building (physical location)
Protesters gathered outside the Ministry of the Interior while officials held an emergency meeting inside.
Daichi visited three different ministries to collect the stamps for his work visa.
Visitors must show photo ID before entering any ministry building in the capital.
The Ministry of Trade building has a spacious public cafeteria on its ground floor.
- government building
broader term that includes all types of government offices, not only ministries
文法句型
the + [name] + ministry
at + the + ministry
用法筆記
This sense is always countable and refers to a physical structure. Context usually makes it clear whether 'ministry' means the department (sense 1) or the building (sense 4) — if people are visiting or gathered outside, it is the building.
5. all ordained religious ministers considered together as a group, especially with
all ordained religious ministers considered together as a group, especially within a particular Christian church or denomination
The assembled ministry of the diocese voted unanimously to support the new community outreach programme.
the ministry of [region/denomination] (collective body)
Constanza's family has served in the ministry for four generations, from her great-grandfather to her cousin.
A 2022 report examined the declining numbers in the ordained ministry across the Anglican Communion.
A growing number of women are joining the ordained ministry in Anglican churches around the world.
The retired bishop continued to write influential books even after leaving the active ministry.
- clergy
the most common term for ordained religious leaders as a group
- clergypersons
gender-neutral alternative; less common
- laity
the ordinary members of a church who are not ordained
文法句型
the + ministry + of [denomination/region]
用法筆記
When used collectively, 'the ministry' takes a singular verb in British English ('the ministry is divided on the issue'). This sense differs from sense 2 and 3: it refers to the group as an institution rather than an individual's work or vocation.