Doing our Priestly Duties

Doing our priestly duties

God never intended there to be a clergy/laity separation. It's worth studying. His original intent, according to Old Testament Scripture, was to establish for himself “a nation of kings and priests” (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9; Rev 1:4-6; Rev 5:10 )

In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the “King of kings” (Rev 17:14; Rev 19:16) and WE are those lower case kings. We who follow Christ are referred to as “ministers of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19), therefore, we are ALL minsters.

Notice it's NOT holy people in holy clothes doing holy things on holy occasions. No, it's you and me, made holy by the Blood of Christ, indwelled with the same Spirit who raised Him from the dead (Rom 8:11), given the power and authority by King Jesus to do “greater things” than He did (John 14:12).

Amen, somebody?

Ministry through the Father's eyes

As a licensed and ordained minister, I have long-enjoyed officiating weddings, funerals and baptisms. I love being asked to officiate “Home Blessings,” too. However, in recent years, the Father has opened my eyes to one very simple truth: I must begin giving the ministry away.

Think about it. If we don't “give away” that which we've been blessed with, everything comes to a screeching halt once we're out of the picture. 

What if everything had ceased when Jesus left the earth? 

What if all miracles ceased when that last apostle died, as some believe (this can't be substantiated in my own life as I was miraculously healed of an “incurable” spinal disease called ankylosing spondilitis, among other miracles).

It's my contention everyone possessing the 5-fold gifts of Ephesians 4:11 (apostle, prophet, preacher, teacher and evangelist) is NOT merely to use that gift to bless pew-sitters to the point of their own burn-out. If that were the case, what happens when something happens to them? To answer that question, note what happens when a spider loses its head (it dies) in comparison to what happens when a starfish loses a leg (it has no head and grows another leg).

On the contrary, anyone with an extra measure of an Ephesians 4:11 GIFT is to passionately impart thAT gift to others, training and equipping THEM to do the work of the ministry. Sadly, far too many in ministry have used that gift as a means to produce an income – despite Paul's example of making tents while doing ministry - and the masses are keen to it. They don't like it and, in ever-increasing numbers, are refusing to support it. Thankfully, this is not a problem in the 3rd world where the numbers of Christ Followers is burgeoning.

One more thing about those 5-fold ministries... they aren't TITLES – they're JOB DESCRIPTIONS.

Inspiring Priesthood examples

A man and his wife in their home is nothing less than a microcosm of The Church. “Two or three gathered in My Name,” Jesus said, and His power and Presence are with them. If that's true, and that man and that woman are priests and kings, why on earth would they require a minister to do sacraments and rituals? Is there REALLY a need to hire a “professional” to do “the stuff”?

Here are several instances of the Priesthood in Action that have thrilled me to life when they took place:

FIRST, a member of our fellowship just had a baby. When a group of us stopped by with gifts to see the new addition, she and her husband asked if I would officiate a baby dedication on a certain day. Of course, I agreed to do so, but added they might want to consider doing the dedication themselves. Well, just last week, when I asked if they had settled upon a date, the young mother said they've decided to do the dedication alone, at home, as a family, before God.

This was music to my ears! 

They get it! 

I did suggest they might want to invite others who do not know the Lord, as I recognize the powerful opportunity presented by occasions such as weddings, funerals, baptism and, yes, baby dedications. This, too, is between them and the Holy Spirit, however. Whatever they have peace about doing is just fine.

SECOND, as a contributor to a website called “EzineArticles.com” for many years, my articles posted there have attracted over a quarter of a million hits. The article which has attracted the greatest number of hits and comments is called “House Blessings – bless yours NOW!” It seems to really resonate with folks that they are perfectly able and well-equipped to do the things many assume only a professional minister is allowed to do.

THIRD, A young girl of 14 enthusiastically shared with me she had recently baptized her friend from school. I was elated! In contrast, when a woman was sharing with me how wonderful had been the experience of discipling another woman, she added “I wish I could baptize her...” She was shocked and elated when I explained to her that she could!

LAST, Though many states require weddings be officiated only by a licensed minister, others require only that the married couple recognize and permit the Officiant to do so. Think about this: In the case of a Justice of the Peace, if that individual is on vacation, anyone sitting in his/her place can STILL officiate, that is, their signature is considered legit on the Marriage License. So, what's the big deal? On a Carnival cruise ship, despite being a “REAL” minister, I am not allowed to officiate a wedding on board. No, that responsibility belongs to the ship's Captain and costs $400, whereas I never charge for officiating weddings.

Finally, my priestly brothers and sisters...

Is there something the Lord may be calling YOU to do, but your motivation is coming, not from obedience, but from a lying voice telling you you're not worthy, not qualified, or illegitimate? 

God has ordered your steps to this message today to let you know you've been lied to. Deceived. His permission is all that is required to go about building His Kingdom. You may have years of religiosity to overcome. It may be a part of your spiritual DNA. But truth is truth. 

Either I'm lying, or someone else is. Either I'm being led by the Holy Spirit, or by a demon spirit, or somebody else is. Truth will resonate with the hearer and they will know it and be set free by it.

You may not be Ordained by some manmade institution, but God has ordained the Ordinary. 

Are YOU ordinary?

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work