The Priesthood of All Believers

You might have already discovered that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a rather elusive identity. However, there are some key features common to many of our congregations. So even though our theologies might differ (wildly at times) and our worship services may be unrecognizable from congregation to congregation, we Disciples have traditionally held to a long-standing Protestant principle: “The Priesthood of All Believers.” What ever could that mean? I'm glad you asked.

Martin Luther, that famed Magisterial Reformer from the 16th century (not to be confused with the civil rights leader from the 1950's and 60's), wrote many impassioned and contested works criticizing the Roman papal institution (i.e. “the Church”). He famously denied that ordination was a sacrament, and in so doing gave over the “priesthood” to “all believers.” Now that doesn't sound so revolutionary to us, but remember that Martin Luther lived in a time when the priesthood carried special privilege (the Pope, Bishops, and Monastics were of a different spiritual class). Because of that, lay members of the church could not participate in preaching, presiding over the Eucharist, or other liturgical functions. Martin Luther challenged this in the following way:

The pope or bishop anoints, shaves heads, ordains, consecrates, and prescribes garb different from that of the laity, but he can never make a man into a Christian or spiritual human being... In fact, we are all consecrated priests through Baptism, as St. Peter in 1 Peter 2[:9] says: “You are a royal priesthood and a priestly kingdom,” and Revelation [5:10], “Through your blood you have made us into priests and kings.”
(Three Treatises, Martin Luther, 12)

Relying on Scripture (Luther advocated sola scriptura, or “Scripture only”), he leveled the playing field, so to speak, for how we think of pastors and laity. Over time, the laity were empowered to take part in the ministry of the church in new ways: presiding over communion, reading from the Scriptures, and offering prayers.

The “founding fathers” of our denomination, Barton W. Stone, Thomas Campbell, and Alexander Campbell, all furthered this Protestant principle. Ministers were not just those who occupied the pastorate; rather, everyone was called into ministry through baptism. This open stance toward ministry paved the way for the incorporation of women into the diaconate and eldership in many of our churches, as well as the active involvement of lay members in Sunday worship.

What is important to recognize about our Protestant and denominational heritage is that pastors, although they have a peculiar office and function, are not spiritually better than anyone else. Our individual callings may take us to different places, but all Christians are called to minister. For some that will be through church offices, for others that will be living out the gospel in our daily lives as faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherever we find ourselves, may we remember our part in that great ministering priesthood encompassing all those who profess the life-giving message of Jesus Christ.