Flourish: Priesthood 

 

Last month, I had the joy and pleasure of serving in the house band at Presbyterian Youth Triennium. As a member of the band, I had the opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes view of the work, sweat, labor, and joy that went into planning and implementing the event. For those in leadership, they arrived on the campus of Purdue University days before over four thousand students and volunteers descended on the site.

 

During our opening worship for leadership, the planning team re-wrote the lyrics to "Come Thou Fount" to give thanks and acknowledge the many hands and hearts coming together to make Triennium happen. They gave thanks for those who had dreamed of the vision and theme "Here's My Heart" based on the popular hymn "Come Thou Fount"penned by pastor and composer Robert Robinson in the 1750s. They gave thanks for those leading in worship, recreation, small groups, and pastoral care. They gave thanks for those who drove golf carts to get leaders to rehearsals and key events. (I was very grateful for the golf cart ministry as we endured the grueling Indiana heat!) They offered thanks for anyone that may have felt overlooked and thanked everyone in advance for making Triennium great by being part of an amazing team.

 

As I watched the volunteers and students come together and as I participated in worship leadership, I thought to myself, "This is what it means to be a priesthood of believers. This is what it means to be the body of Christ working together for God's goodness." It was exhilarating to watch people serve out of their gifts and their strengths to offer students an experience of encountering God and going deeper in their faith. It was life-giving to be reminded that we work better together when we acknowledge the gifts that God has given us and we offer them back to God for God's good glory and to make a difference in the world. I wish that all of you could have been there to witness the Spirit of God in action, uniting us from different churches, presbyteries, and various parts of the globe.

 

My prayer for us all is to remember the gift of our theological heritage and tradition that lifts up the priesthood of all believers. This phrase from 1 Peter 2:9 is simply a reminder that each of us has been called to pastor the people within our reach. We have been called to use our gifts and talents to support, love, and guide those who are in need. The priesthood of all is a gentle reminder that nurturing others is everyone's job, not simply something relegated to ordained clergy and church officers. My prayer is that we all encourage those in our midst to take inventory of the gifts that God has given each of us. May we see and know that we are vital to God's mission in the world. May we offer ourselves - heart, body, and soul - to the work and witness that God has called us to do. May our prayer always be, "Here's my heart Lord, here are my hands Lord, here's my mind Lord, take and seal them for your courts above and for your glory in this world."

 

-ABL

#flourish

#priesthood

 

For more information, contact Rev. Ricardo Green at  ricardogreen1@aol.com.