MEN AS PRIESTS

1
MEN AS PRIESTS

• Men's Fellowship Seminar
• Battersea London
• November 2010

2
A Definition

• The priesthood is a vocation. No man can claim
  this gift for himself, only those who are called
  by God, consecrated and sent forth to all people
  in service of the Church. The priest answers
  God's call by trusting God, striving for holiness
  and living for others.
• The author of the Letter to the Hebrews
  describes the priest as a man who is chosen by
  God to act as a living bridge between heaven and
  earth, a representative among humanity before God
  (cf. Hebrews 51). Stated differently, the priest
  brings people to Jesus and Jesus to people.
• The ordained priests, by the anointing of the
  Holy Spirit, are assigned with a special
  character and are conformed to Christ in such a
  way that they act in the person of Christ (in
  persona Christi). Priests, while engaging in
  prayer and adoration, or preaching God's Word, or
  offering the Eucharistic Sacrifice and
  administering the other sacraments, or performing
  other works of ministry for people, devote their
  energy to the increase of the glory of God and to
  humanity's progress in the divine life

3
The Historical Context of Priests

• Priests and Levites descend from Levi (one of
  the sons of Jacob). They were given a special
  position among Gods people, because they
  defended Gods honour during the time of the
  worship of the Golden Calf- set up by Aaron. They
  then became Gods tribe and were set apart for
  religious duties.

4
Priestly Descendants

• Levi had three sons (Kohath, Gershon, Merari).
  From these three strands (clans) the duties of
  the priesthood were developed.
• Gershon (Gershonites) Put in charge of the
  drapery of the Tabernacle
• Kohath (Kohathites) - Responsible for the
  furniture of the Tabernacle
• Merari (Merarites) - Responsible for carrying
  the setting up the Tabernacle.
• From the Kohathites clan, one family was set
  apart for Special Service. Aaron descended form
  this family.

5
Qualifications, References

• Historically, only the Priests could offer
  sacrifice
• They were seen as the most holy group in Israel.
• They were subjected to strict rules
• Became Priests at age 30.
• Person in charge of the priesthood was known as
  the High or Chief Priest.
• (The CP was the only one allowed in the Holy of
  Holies)

6
Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for Sacrifices
• Responsible for Worship
• Formed the Temple Choir
• Had to give answers in Gods name to difficult
  question (Whether to go to war or not)
• Responsible for teaching Gods laws
• In some cases priest were expected to enforce
  laws and take special action in cases of leprosy
  (Jesus told the man cured of leprosy, Go show
  yourself to the priest)
• Luk. 5 v 14, Mark 1v44) Only the priest had the
  power to declare some clean.

7
The Priesthood in Everyday life in Ancient Israel

• The Kings sent Levites throughout the land of
  teach Gods laws. (Ezra Priest/Scribe taught
  Gods laws Neh 8) Gen 18 v19, Lev 10 v 11, II
  Chron. 17 v 7-9, Micah 2 v 7 - 8
• Priests were taken to war offering sacrifices
  prior to (II Sam. 11 v 1, I Sam 11 v 1 11)
• The High Priest offered sacrifices on the Day of
  Atonement

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How Can We Describe the Modern Priest / Pastor ?
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Priests are living instruments of Christ the
eternal Priest.

• What priests do - baptizing, celebrating Mass,
  instilling hope, advocating peace, reconciling
  people, protecting the weak and vulnerable - is
  entirely dependent on who they are by the grace
  of ordination. The priesthood is first a question
  of who priests are, then, and only then, a
  question of what they do arises.

10
Priests Are Men of Prayer

• As ordained representatives of Jesus Christ,
  priests commit themselves to praying daily for
  the Church and the world. Acting in the name of
  Jesus Christ and as his ministers, perform sacred
  functions and administer the Sacraments. In these
  holy events, priests are entrusted with the
  highest privilege and gift of making the presence
  of God real and personal for all people. Only by
  cultivating an intimate relationship with Jesus
  Christ by means of praying faithfully is the
  priest able to teach God's Word effectively and
  lead all people toward heaven.

11
Priests Are Leaders of God's People

• Priests are called to lead God's People in a
  manner that is marked by self-giving and
  self-sacrifice. As mediators between God and
  humanity and icons of Jesus Christ, priests are
  to demonstrate with their lives the words spoken
  by Our Lord "Anyone who wants to be first among
  you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man
  himself did not come to be served but to serve
  and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark
  1044-45). Properly exercised, priestly
  leadership seeks always to strengthen faith,
  enkindle hope, and build up the Church into the
  People of God and Body of Christ.

12
Priests Are Teachers of God's Word

• Priests have the primary duty of proclaiming the
  Gospel of God to all people. In this way they
  build up the people of God and fulfil the command
  of Our Lord "Go out to the whole world and
  proclaim the Good News to all creation"(Mark
  1615). Priests do not rely on their own wisdom
  or ingenuity, but rather teach the word of
  Christ, encouraging hearers to conversion and
  holiness by applying the truth of the Gospel to
  the particular circumstances of life.

13
What Do Priests Do?

• At least eight possible functions for
  ministers of religion can be derived from
  accumulated literature on their roles religious
  celebration, preaching or prophecy, education,
  pastoral care, community leadership, public
  representation, administration and managerial
  leadership
• Thomas Nelson Publishers

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What Do Priests Do?

• In the 21st century, priests honour God daily by
  reaching out to all sectors of human life as
  leaders of prayer, parish pastors, high school
  administrators and educators, hospital and prison
  chaplains.
• Priests encounter and help people at the most
  significant times in their lives. In good times
  and bad and sickness and in health people invite
  priests into their lives. By means of the
  Sacrament of Holy Orders, priests bear the
  presence of Jesus Christ and are commissioned to
  share it generously and enthusiastically with all
  people (cf. Matthew 2819).

15
Qualifications

• Faith in, and love for Christ and His Church.
• Good moral character.
• Favourable academic abilities.
• Emotional balance and maturity.
• Good physical health.
• Psychological readiness and capacity to pursue a
  sustaining, life-long commitment.
• A deepening habit of prayer and a balanced
  devotional life.
• Maturity to recognize and the willingness to
  respond to the needs of others.
• Readiness to serve in the manner to which he is
  called by God, through his Bishop.
• A developing spirit of detachment that helps him
  be in the world but not of the world.
• Freedom to enter this state in life.

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Vocational CallingAm I Being Called Into the
Priesthood

1. Have I experienced God's love in my life?
2. Do I believe, practice and promote my faith?
3. Do I participate in my community?
4. Am I searching for a way to share my gifts,
   talents, and passions with others?
5. Do I desire a deeper relationship with Jesus
   Christ?
6. Am I willing to offer my life for the mission of
   Jesus Christ and His Church?
7. Do I like working with people and do I get along
   with men and women from all walks of life?
8. Do I want to make a lasting, positive difference
   in the lives of people?
9. Do I find myself imagining myself as a priest,?
10. Do I long to find more meaning, fulfilment and
    joy in my life?

17
Can the Priest or Pastor be Everything to
Everybody?
18
WE WANT A PASTOR WHO

• Know the Bible backwards and forwards, able to
  quote verses from memory at will complete with
  numbers for book, chapter, and verse. (Never mind
  the fact that numbering system for our bibles
  werent introduced until the 16th century!)
• Rush to the side of any member of the church, for
  any reason, at any time of the day (or night).
  And they better be there within 30 minutes or
  less (or else)
• Preach sermons that enable us to understand the
  bible in its entirety without any extra work
  (i.e. reading) of our own.
• Sacrifice their family life for the life of their
  church.
• Sacrifice every weekend, holiday (major or
  minor), and at least three weeknights per week
  without question.
• Have the exact right thing to say in all places,
  in all situations, for all people, everywhere.
• Wont hurt our feelings.
• Have perfect families, perfect marriages, and
  perfect lawns (even though weve asked them to
  sacrifice their family for their church).

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• In short, we want perfection. We want someone
  who will tell us exactly what we want to hear and
  do everything that needs to be done while we sit
  and watch and complain.
• To fill the job description of todays pastor
  sounds like a job for Superman. A pastor is
  expected to make house calls as willingly as
  yesterdays country doctor, shake hands and smile
  like a politician on the campaign trail, to
  entertain like a stand-up comedian, to teach the
  Scriptures like a theology professor, and to
  counsel like a psychologist with the wisdom of
  Solomon. He should run the church like a
  top-level business executive, handle finances
  like a career accountant, and deal with the
  public like an expert diplomat at the United
  Nations.
• By Counsellor Frank Mirth

20
Is the Priesthood Only For or Should Only be
Assigned To Men ?

• This is a question that has perplexed the church
  for decades. Many arguments and counter-arguments
  have divided, swayed and pull at the very heart
  of the church in order to justify or find an
  answer to settle on one side or the other.
  Regrettably that question, today, still poses a
  threat to many church groups and perhaps the
  Church of Jesus Christ itself as men strive to
  find a final answer that satisfies all.