An office or duty in the fulfilment of which one may serve God or a god; (in later use esp.) the office of being a priest or religious minister. Cf…

The practice or occupation of serving the Church; work or duties carried out for the benefit of the Church.

The action or an act of ministering in religious matters; service as a priest or minister. Now usually in plural.

In ecclesiastical use. The profession or vocation of a minister of religion; the position, post, or office of such a minister. Also: the period of…

The action of minister, v. (in various senses); ministration, administration; an instance of this.

The ideas and conduct characteristic of a minister of religion. Obsolete. rare.