GSC MODULE 44: THE PRIESTLY OFFICE

The priest follows the Son of God, Jesus Christ

THE PRIESTLY OFFICE

The priest holds an important office of great meaning for heaven and eternity.

  The priest is commissioned by Christ the King of the Church. Jesus gave the commission of servanthood as the template of holiness [Mark 10:44].

This is the ordinance that priests are called to fulfil: this is His message that must be preached.

  The priest is responsible to Jesus Christ for the manner in which personal priestly minsitry is carried out, whether in the spirit of the servanthood or for personal financial profit and societal prestige.

The office of the priest is a situation of relationships.

  Above the priest is Jesus Christ, Who called the priest to ordination, and thereafter continues to commission the ordinee to particular parishes or ministry.

  It is Jesus Christ’s message which must be preached in its integrity and spiritual clarity. 

  It is to Jesus Christ that the priest is responsible for the manner in which priestly ministry is carried out: with integrity, or otherwise.

  The priest needs to keep in mind at all times that priestly responsibility is to Christ and not to what people say or think.

  The priest owes full obedience to the Saviour, and can place full confidence in Him. 

“The One Who calls you is faithful, and He also will bring it to pass.” [1 Thessalonians 5:24].

Before the priest is the congregation. God highly treasures His gathered people, who are precious in His Eyes. They are highly honoured and the object of His Love [Isaiah 43:4].

  It is essential that the priest has the right approach to the congregation. The ordinee’s work must be carried out with the understanding that the herd is that of the Chief Shepherd. [John 10:10-12]. 

  How much is entrusted to the priest: - the Body of Christ [1 Colossians 1:24].

  Christ’s Body is the church. The church is not a building nor a particular group of people. 
  The church is made up of people all over the world who have discovered the love of God as testified to by Jesus Christ. 
  The congregation is part of the Body of Christ; the household of God. [Ephesians 2:13-22].

Alongside the priest are the church staff. The priest works alongside the holders of office in the church, and not above them.

  Together with fellow congregational brothers and sisters, the priest is responsible for the welfare of the church to Christ. 

  The priest is co-responsible with others.

The priest of integrity often has concerns while carrying out tasks in the service of the Lord. 

  Yet the ordinee need not be anxious that sole responsibility is that of the priest alone.

  There are others who carry co-responsibility in the service of Almighty God. 

  The priest thus does not work alone in God’s Vineyard; there are many more who labour alongside.

  It is essential that church tasks be shared among church staff and congregation members. 

  It is not advisable for the priest to continually commission the same church staff or parish members with necessary tasks. 

  Tasks need to be shared, to avoid overburdening willing staff members beyond their abilities and personal strength.

 

  It is also the priest’s responsibility to ensure equal distribution of tasks. 

  The priests and church staff leaders do not carry the responsibility of the church alone: the members of the congregation are co-responsible. 
  The congregational members also need to bring the office of the believer to action.

Rev Catherine

Disclaimer: this information is not meant to replace your Priest, Theologian, Doctor or Health Professional Care