ministry

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ministry/ˈmɪnɪstri/

▶noun (pl. ministries)

• 1 a government department headed by a minister.

• 2 a period of government under one Prime Minister.

• 3 the work, vocation, or office of a minister of religion.

  ■ spiritual service to others provided by the Christian Church.