Reflections on the Interpretation Journal Articles
The Priestly Vocation:
One of the statements from the article on the priestly vocation that was especially important to me is that, “the priestly vocation is not confined to the ordained priesthood or the sacred rituals of the sanctuary” (page 127). God has created the priesthood to mediate his holiness to his people, and being the God of the whole earth, that the people will mediate this holiness to the whole earth. God intended that his people would be a kingdom of priest unto him. The apostle speaking of us says; “but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). Being a kingdom of priest, “the people of God must take the role of the priest to the entire world” (page 127). This has implication for the pastoral ministry. I am challenged as a pastor to communicate God’s holiness to the people and challenge them to take the priestly ministry to the entire world, so that the great commission of our Lord Jesus may be accomplished.
The Pastoral Vocation:
From the article on the pastoral vocation, I was challenged by the statement that, “the pastoral office does its job by means of the ministry of the word, for the word is not only the most effective tool we have, but also the only tool we have for acknowledging God naming the gift” (page 168). This statement is important to me because it serves to remind me that in my role as a pastor that my most effective toll in carrying out my duty is the word of God; and also that my primary duty is to communicate the word of god to the people through teaching, preaching and godly living. The importance of the ministry of the word is emphasized by Jesus when he pointed out to Martha that Mary, in sitting at his feet to listen to his word, has chosen the better part (Luke 10:42); by the early apostles deciding to give themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4); and by the Apostle Paul’s statement, that “the elders who rule well is worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” ( I Timothy 5:17).
In light of the various duties that a pastor is expected to perform, and the various challenges of the ministry, the ministry of the word can be unintentionally be undermined. The statement challenged me to keep focus and continue to make the ministry of the word my priority in ministry.
Hixford Allen
