Argues that the modern trend to understand all Christians, rather than a chosen group, as ministers is not justified according to the author's reading of New Testament texts in the context of Greek literature of the period. Also argues on the same basis that women should not be barred from ordination. The book is a popular presentation of the author's academic study, TDiakonia' (OUP, 1990), with some further refinement of the argument. Includes a bibliography and indexes of names and NT passages. The author teaches religious education at John Paul College, Melbourne.