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MINISTRY

In obedience to the example of Christ and the Apostles, the teaching of Scriptures and the faithful tradition of the Church over 2000 years, the ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH is governed by bishops in the Apostolic Succession, and maintains the male three-fold Order of bishops, priests and deacons.

From the very first Christian century, the visible Church has been defined in terms of a communion of mutually recognized "dioceses", each consisting of a Bishop surrounded by his clergy and the faithful in that place.

In each local parish there is a priest, who exercises the Church's ministry of the Word and Sacraments (including the pastoral care of his people) as the delegate of the Bishop. In aspects of this ministry he may be assisted by a deacon; land in some (especially administration, pastoral care, teaching and counseling) he may be assisted by a deaconess or other authorized lay person.

These are aspects of the Church's formal ministry. Ministry, however, means, "helping people". In an informal sense, all baptized Christians are called in daily life to minister to others. We are all endowed with certain gifts and grace for that purpose. Scripture itself teaches, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)