Text Box: One of the key issues of the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth Century was that the priests had become mediators between God and the general population. The reformers called for a priesthood of all believers. Every follower of Jesus could talk directly to God, read the Bible for themselves, and minister to others with the gifts that God gave them. The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is believed by most churches like ours, but it is often not practiced. When the congregation is not studying the Bible for themselves, they have returned to pre-reformation practice. When the congregation looks at the pastor as the ‘professional minister’ who is paid to visit the sick, help the needy, and counsel the depressed, they are living in pre-reformation practice. When the minister does not encourage the congregation to be ministers, he is acting like the reformation did not take place. The losing of the priesthood of the believers in our time is fueled in part by our busy lives. Too many Christians feel like they only have time for a little church because life is so busy. Pastors report a trend of growing membership lists and shrinking weekly attendance. It has become normal to have 75% of the church attend Sunday services twice a month or less. (Twice a month is better than not at all, just like arriving to church 40 minutes late is better than not showing up at all.) I expect that returning to a pre-TV era where families spent the day in church is likely not to happen any time soon. Here are a few ways Text Box: we can recover some of what has been lost regarding the priesthood of all believers. First, we all need to be self feeders. This comes from spending daily time in God’s word and prayer. If our Bibles collect dust for 6 days a week, we will likely not be involved in the life Jesus intended us to live. A few minutes a day with God is just a start. There are many ways we can be fed by the truth of God’s Word beyond Sunday mornings. The rise of technology gives many more ways to read the Bible, hear a preacher or be encouraged by Christian music. Don’t forget that old fashion books are still a great way to strengthen your faith. A second response to the recovery of the priesthood of the believers is that we need to recognize that the majority of ministry takes place outside of the church walls. When we think about ministry and spiritual gifts we often associate being used by God as being within the church. There is a need for gifted teachers to teach within the church, but there is also a need for Christian teachers to touch lives within the school system. Gifts of mercy, hospitality, generosity, encouragement and faith can all be used within and outside of the church. In many ways the church should be the place where we are equipped to go back into society and serve as the priesthood of the believers. As you start a new year, I encourage you to consider ways you can be a minister for Christ in the place you live, the place you work, and among your family and friends. Together God can use our church to make a difference Text Box: The Priesthood of All Believers Text Box: Fort Lee Gospel Church 1625 Palisade Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (201)947-1465 Pastor: Rev. Rick Spenst Web site: www.fortleegospel.org E-mail: fortleegospel@juno.com

2012 Goals List

2

Women’s Study

2

Men’s New Study

2

Faith & Reason

3

January Events

3

New Members

3

Prayer & Fasting

4
Text Box: Fort Lee Gospel Church Text Box: January 2012