What is Ministry?

Here's a very commonly held, and incredibly bad Idea:  Real  ministry is only done under the auspices of established religion.          This message—that real  ministry is only done under the auspices of established religion- is implicit on so many levels that it is almost impossible to be a churchgoer and not absorb this idea. Church buildings are often referred to as "God's house;" pastors are often imbued with some special authority, and giving to the local church is held up as a prerequisite for the Christian life. All these together combine to send the message that "real ministry" is only done under the auspices of the established institution.     The problem with it is twofold: first, it is not biblical, and second, the impact of believing it is devastating.