The concept of the priesthood of all believers is fundamental to our practices at Hurstbourne Christian Church. However, while it's ingrained in what we do, not everyone may grasp its meaning right away. Recently, I had a conversation with someone who was puzzled by our belief that we are all part of this priesthood. They were particularly confused because we don't refer to anyone as a priest, although we do have ordained and commissioned ministers. This confusion often stems from the difference between priests and ministers in various Christian traditions.

In churches like the Catholic or Orthodox Church, priests serve as intermediaries between individuals and Jesus, facilitating connections through sacraments like confession. On the other hand, in the Disciples of Christ tradition, ministers view their role differently. We don't see ourselves as intercessors between you and Jesus. Rather, we see it as our responsibility to guide and support you in developing your personal relationship with Him. This distinction lies at the heart of why we perceive ministry differently from priesthood.

The priesthood of all believers, for us, means that everyone has the capacity to connect directly with Jesus without needing an intermediary. It's not about everyone becoming a formal minister or preacher, but rather recognizing that each of us can communicate with our Lord on a personal level. We all share in this ability equally. There's no hierarchy or privileged access when it comes to our relationship with Jesus.

So, when I speak about the priesthood of all believers, I'm not suggesting that everyone should pursue formal ministry roles. Instead, I'm emphasizing the importance of nurturing our individual connections with Jesus, understanding the profound privilege it is to communicate with our Creator regardless of our roles or titles. This is the essence of the empowering gift we have as Christians and as members of the holy priesthood of Christ.