Thoughts on the Priesthood of Believers

I have recently been in a discussion on the “Priesthood of Believers”. In the course of the dialog I have been able to really look at what I believe on this.
That is the beauty of Postmodern thought, that we can really break down what we believe and rethink it to see if it is something real.
Below are some thoughts that were my answers to questions posed.

I think of the "priest relationship" on the terms not that the priest or collective body of Christ are higher of more enlightened or more spiritual and on and on, but rather we believers are all equal...where once the separation of Priest and Layman was a division of Us and Them...where the true meaning is just US as in Believers in Christ and not divisions. Make sense? Equality as in we are all able to do as the OT priests and approach God.
A paid Pastor is one who is full time attending the Flock...he is the one who oversees the function of it as an entity. Again, it to me does not mean that the Pastor is on a higher plain of conscience than the congregation, but rather he is the main "servant" of the congregation.
As for a difference between paid and lay ministers.... of course money! Hahahaha
Really I see no difference just one is freer to facilitate.
I don't know if we need a "new/old" model. I see we need to be genuine. To have our focus be on Jesus and walking in the Kingdom on earth as if we were already in Heaven.
Jesus tells us that if we lift Him up He will draw all men unto Him. Only as people meet our living savior can one become real or totally human...authentic and genuine.
Again the measuring stick to me is not about a "model" but about a "Person" who is Jesus. To just follow a model means to me we missed the boat and are looking at programs and not the reality of Christ in us our hope of Glory.

Just some thoughts,
iggy

A funny thing happened on the way to the Blog

This is my response in a discussion on appearing judgmental as I sort the new adventure of postmodern/emergent thought.

It is funny you mentioned pulling your arms and legs off. I was
trying to work on my Blog about being a kid and pulling legs off spiders or the
wings off flies...the problem is I am the spider or the fly.
Meaning there are some things that I have allowed to become a part of me...as a human
being... not a spider of a fly. I feel like I am pulling my own
wings off and seeing how many legs I really need to walk around. Most
don’t see the pain. Most only see that I am judging or saying that they
are wrong. But I do feel like I was walking in a darkly lit room,
and now the lights on...and all I am doing from my perspective
is saying ”watch out for that ottoman”...“hey there is a step there you might trip on”.
To the “blind” it is annoying I am sure. hahahaha.
To me it is annoying a bit also.

I want to just turn and leave it all behind and
maybe I will someday.

Yet, as of now I still see many who see dimly what I am saying and
can hear this faint call to authenticity and a genuine faith. I am not
against anything but where some seem to focus on besides Jesus...I
mean a rocking “worship” song is really cool and I can even get into the
musicianship and praise God for their talent and worship in song.
But,if all I do is focus on the worship team, I miss the intimacy that as a
collective Body can share when united in Christ in praise.

Blessed,
iggy

Does God see only Black and White

"What is Truth." said Pilate as He stared at Jesus.
Black and White.
God is Truth.
Right and Wrong?
He is Righteousness.
Darkness and Light or Grey?
He is Light.
But on the human side? Things are messed up and sometimes we just don't know...Hebrews 11: 31. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace”....yet she was a liar and a Harlot.... I understand how these reconcile...but some without understanding that God can fathom greater depths of right and wrong beyond black and white and gray can not reconcile this. God can judge in a rainbow of colors.
We often sit with a black and white judgment...
A woman who was a prostitute gave birth to a child. She sought help but found none. As her addiction became worse she began to sell her baby daughter to men so she could have more drug money. To man's eye she is beyond evil and not worth anything and should get anything bad that could happen to her.... But God sees her as a soul worth saving and even died for her...all she has to do is receive Jesus. And all is forgiven. Covered by the blood of Jesus and by Grace. By the worlds standard she should still pay for her crimes. But as a sister in Christ, she is as all of us, saved.
But where would most of us be... I confess I might be inclined to pick up stones...
But God's Grace is beyond our conception. It is infinite Grace...So if this woman is evil and God loves her... does God love evil?
I hope you say no.
Is there Black and White? Yes, But not "all" things are Black and White.
Truth is pure and undiluted when God lets it loose, yet as it is filtered through our finite sinful minds it get distorted... even for us Christians.
I believe instead of the labels of black or white, to walk in total dependency on Christ. To walk in His ways for they are not my ways.
This is beyond black and white. Beyond right and wrong, but becoming more like Christ himself.
I know some of you won’t get this but that is ok.
Blessings,
iggy

Looking for a good Church…

We are so market driven these day...I say this as I begin to go Church shopping.
I really don't have much choice in churches here in Billings. I mean I do, but I recently began thinking about the statement, "I am looking for a good Church."
Am I looking for programs for my child, or an entertaining sermon. How about the best worship band so I can do "worship". I wonder what I am really looking for...
I believe that people are looking for the True church or the Real church.
I believe people are looking for the Real Jesus and the True Jesus and the Real People that represent Him.
We are too busy playing "church" and not being the body of Christ. We are too busy representing our doctrinal stance and not representing Jesus.
We are too occupied with our "preferences" and "opinions" that we confuse them with Truth. We are too busy trying to be, when we already are.
We are the Church, the Body of Christ, and His beloved Bride.
We are "united" in Christ, not our preferences and personal beliefs.
I am not trying to be a Christian. I am a Christian.
I am not trying to live in Christ, He is my Life.
Again people want something real...and Jesus is real!
He is who we must lift up. He is the one who will draw all to Him.
We are only to receive them into the Kingdom and worship and rejoice.
I pray we stop playing church and be the Church.

Blessings,
iggy