Jack Marcum, head of research services for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), sees «little evidence of a literal shortage of ministers... We are training more than sufficient numbers of ministers of word and sacrament in the PCUSA to pastor mid-sized and larger congregations and fill other traditional ministries.» (religion-online.org)
After considering the relationship between the priest and the Church, he reflects on the priest as minister of the Word, minister of worship, shepherd, and disciple. (firstthings.com)
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (redeeminggod.com)