Every Member A Minister

Every Member A Minister

“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests

“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests

and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

Exodus19:5-6

and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

Exodus19:5-6

A Kingdom of A Kingdom of PriestsPriests

Function of Israel

To be a showpiece of the superiority of God’s way of life by creating an exemplary community at the crossroads of civilization

Function of Israel

To be a showpiece of the superiority of God’s way of life by creating an exemplary community at the crossroads of civilization

Clergy Function in this Community

Emphasis of clergy was on performing ministry for the people, nurturing them to create a demonstration of faith

Clergy Function in this Community

Emphasis of clergy was on performing ministry for the people, nurturing them to create a demonstration of faith

Basic Function of Old Testament

Church

To nurture a community of faith – few exceptions to this model (Jonah and Ninevah)

Basic Function of Old Testament

Church

To nurture a community of faith – few exceptions to this model (Jonah and Ninevah)

It is a missional model

It is a missional model

The New Testament church was to create a caring community everywhere.

The New Testament church was to create a caring community everywhere.

“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made

“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made

us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation. 1:5-6

us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation. 1:5-6

““And they sang a new And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy song, saying, ‘Worthy art Thou to take the art Thou to take the book, and to break its book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst slain, and didst purchase for God with purchase for God with Thy blood men from Thy blood men from every tribe and tongueevery tribe and tongue

and people and nation. and people and nation. And Thou hast made them And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the they will reign upon the earth.”earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10Revelation 5:9-10

“You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:5

“You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:5

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

I Peter 2:9

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

I Peter 2:9

Implications of the Implications of the Doctrine of the Doctrine of the Priesthood of All Priesthood of All BelieversBelievers1.1. Direct access for all Direct access for all

believers. Clergy believers. Clergy cannot become cannot become mediators for the mediators for the people.people.2.2. Every believer has a Every believer has a ministry. Clergy cannot ministry. Clergy cannot become ministers for become ministers for the people.the people.

3.3. Eliminates the Eliminates the distinction between distinction between laity and clergy, for laity and clergy, for every Christian is a every Christian is a minister. There is no minister. There is no status difference status difference between clergy and between clergy and laity, only a functional laity, only a functional difference.difference.

Implications of the Implications of the Doctrine of the Doctrine of the Priesthood of All Priesthood of All Believers (Con’t)Believers (Con’t)

4.4. All Christians minister All Christians minister in harmony with their in harmony with their spiritual gift, rather spiritual gift, rather than minister through than minister through guilt trips.guilt trips.

Implications of the Implications of the Doctrine of the Doctrine of the Priesthood of All Priesthood of All Believers (Con’t)Believers (Con’t)

Luther and Doctrine ofLuther and Doctrine ofPriesthood of All BelieversPriesthood of All Believers

1.1. Before God all Before God all Christians have the Christians have the same standing – a same standing – a priesthood we all enter priesthood we all enter by baptism and by baptism and through faith.through faith.

Luther and Doctrine ofLuther and Doctrine ofPriesthood of All Believers Priesthood of All Believers

(Con’t)(Con’t)2.2. As a brother in Christ, As a brother in Christ,

every Christian is a every Christian is a priest and needs no priest and needs no mediator save Christ. He mediator save Christ. He has access to Christ and has access to Christ and the Word.the Word.

Luther and Doctrine ofLuther and Doctrine ofPriesthood of All Believers Priesthood of All Believers

(Con’t)(Con’t)

3.3. Every Christian is a Every Christian is a priest and has an office priest and has an office of sacrifice – not the of sacrifice – not the mass, but the mass, but the dedication of himself to dedication of himself to the praise and the praise and obedience of God and to obedience of God and to bearing the cross.bearing the cross.

Luther and Doctrine ofLuther and Doctrine ofPriesthood of All Believers Priesthood of All Believers

(Con’t)(Con’t)

4.4. Each Christian has a Each Christian has a duty to hand on to duty to hand on to others the gospel that others the gospel that he himself has received.he himself has received.

Laos = People of God

Laos = People of God

All lay people All lay people are ministers are ministers and all ministers and all ministers are lay people.are lay people.

“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world

“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world

to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

““But the doctrine of the But the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers priesthood of all believers indicates that for the indicates that for the Christian the climax is Christian the climax is what is done in the world what is done in the world during the week! What during the week! What happens on Sabbath is to happens on Sabbath is to prepare him for this prepare him for this ministry in the world ministry in the world during the week.” during the week.”

— — Every Believer a MinisterEvery Believer a Minister, p. , p. 114114

“The work of God in the earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.” — Gospel Workers, p. 351-352

“The work of God in the earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.” — Gospel Workers, p. 351-352

““And He gave some as And He gave some as apostles, and some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to for the work of service, to the building up of the body the building up of the body of Christ.”of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:11-12Ephesians 4:11-12

“Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received.”

— 7T. p. 20

“Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received.”

— 7T. p. 20

““It is not the Lord’s It is not the Lord’s purpose that ministers purpose that ministers should be left to do the should be left to do the greatest part of the greatest part of the work of sowing the work of sowing the seeds of truth.”seeds of truth.”

— — 7T7T. p. 21. p. 21

“In laboring where there are already some in the faith, the minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers, as to train the church members for acceptable co-operation.”

— GW p. 196

“In laboring where there are already some in the faith, the minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers, as to train the church members for acceptable co-operation.”

— GW p. 196

““God has not given His God has not given His ministers the work of ministers the work of setting the churches right. setting the churches right. No sooner is this work No sooner is this work done, apparently, than it done, apparently, than it has to be done over again. has to be done over again. Church members that are Church members that are thus looked after and thus looked after and labored for become labored for become religious weaklings.religious weaklings.

If nine tenths of the effort If nine tenths of the effort that has been put forth for that has been put forth for those who know the truth those who know the truth had been put forth for those had been put forth for those who have never heard the who have never heard the truth, how much greater truth, how much greater would have been the would have been the advancement made!”advancement made!”

— — 7T7T p. 18 p. 18

Nurture for the sake of nurture produces religious

weaklings.

Nurture for the sake of nurture produces religious

weaklings.

““In my judgement, In my judgement, nurture- oriented nurture- oriented education commits the education commits the serious error of making serious error of making an end out of something an end out of something that is meant to be a that is meant to be a means. By definition it is means. By definition it is self-centered and self-centered and therefore suffers from therefore suffers from basic introversion.”basic introversion.”

— — Pastor’s Church Pastor’s Church Growth Growth Handbook Handbook, , Vol. 1, p. 134Vol. 1, p. 134

““The mission-oriented The mission-oriented Christian education program Christian education program holds that the primary holds that the primary purpose of education is to purpose of education is to equip people for the growth equip people for the growth and outreach of the church.”and outreach of the church.”

— — Pastor’s Church Growth Pastor’s Church Growth HandbookHandbook, Vol. 1, p. 134, Vol. 1, p. 134

““The church is a training The church is a training center where the people of center where the people of God are equipped for their God are equipped for their respective areas of ministry respective areas of ministry and mission. Nurture, and mission. Nurture, indeed, comes as a by- indeed, comes as a by- product of being equipped product of being equipped and involved in ministry. My and involved in ministry. My experience in Christian experience in Christian education education

is that a mission mentality in is that a mission mentality in the church motivates people the church motivates people to training and produces to training and produces astounding results in astounding results in personal spiritual growth as personal spiritual growth as well as church growth.”well as church growth.”

— — Pastor’s Church Growth Pastor’s Church Growth HandbookHandbook, Vol. 1, p. 134, Vol. 1, p. 134

““Sometimes ministers Sometimes ministers do too much; they seek to do too much; they seek to embrace the whole work in embrace the whole work in their arms. It absorbs and their arms. It absorbs and dwarfs them; yet they dwarfs them; yet they continue to grasp it all.continue to grasp it all.

They seem to think that they They seem to think that they alone are to work in the alone are to work in the cause of God, while the cause of God, while the members of the church stand members of the church stand idle. This is not God’s order idle. This is not God’s order at all.”at all.”

— — EvangelismEvangelism, p. 113, p. 113

“The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers.”

— T7 p. 19

“The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers.”

— T7 p. 19

““So long as church So long as church members make no effort members make no effort to give others the help to give others the help given them, great given them, great spiritual feebleness must spiritual feebleness must result.”result.”

— — 7T7T p. 18, 19 p. 18, 19

“In some respects the pastor occupies a position similar to that of the foreman of a gang of laboring men or the captain of a ship’s crew. They are expected to see that the men, over whom they are set,

“In some respects the pastor occupies a position similar to that of the foreman of a gang of laboring men or the captain of a ship’s crew. They are expected to see that the men, over whom they are set,

do the work assigned to them correctly and promptly, and only in case of emergency are they to execute in detail.

The owner of a large mill once found his superintendent in a wheel-pit, making some simple

do the work assigned to them correctly and promptly, and only in case of emergency are they to execute in detail.

The owner of a large mill once found his superintendent in a wheel-pit, making some simple

repairs, while a half-dozen workmen in the line were standing by, idly looking on. The proprietor, after learning the facts, so as to be sure that no injustice was done, called the

repairs, while a half-dozen workmen in the line were standing by, idly looking on. The proprietor, after learning the facts, so as to be sure that no injustice was done, called the

foreman to his office and handed him his discharge with full pay. In surprise the foreman asked for an explanation. It was given in these words: ‘I employed you to keep six men at work. I found the six idle, and you doing the work of but one.

foreman to his office and handed him his discharge with full pay. In surprise the foreman asked for an explanation. It was given in these words: ‘I employed you to keep six men at work. I found the six idle, and you doing the work of but one.

Your work could have been done just as well by any one of the six. I cannot afford to pay the wages of seven for you to teach the six how to be idle.’ — GW p. 197-198

Your work could have been done just as well by any one of the six. I cannot afford to pay the wages of seven for you to teach the six how to be idle.’ — GW p. 197-198

Questions For Group Discussion

Questions For Group Discussion

1. What percentage of our current members are engaged in ministry in our church? What steps do we need to take to increase this percentage? Please settle on 2 or 3 specific steps to accomplish this.

1. What percentage of our current members are engaged in ministry in our church? What steps do we need to take to increase this percentage? Please settle on 2 or 3 specific steps to accomplish this.

Questions For Group Discussion

Questions For Group Discussion

2. What is hindering our pastor from serving as an equipper in our church? Please list 2 or 3 specific issues that will need to be addressed to free our pastor so equipping can happen.

2. What is hindering our pastor from serving as an equipper in our church? Please list 2 or 3 specific issues that will need to be addressed to free our pastor so equipping can happen.