One of the big messages of the Reformation was that God has called every believer to know him and to partner with him in the extension of his Kingdom. In one of Martin Luther’s earliest tracts, he insists that the division between a class of clergy and a class of laity is entirely unbiblical. See John 6:45; 1 Peter 2:5, 2:9; Revelation 1:6, 5:10. Sadly, after asserting this so clearly in his tracts, Martin Luther then went on to establish a church in which the division between clergy and laity went unchallenged!

Even in modern churches, there is considerable resistance to the priesthood of all believers. Although most of us would agree with this New Testament teaching in theory, we find it very difficult to put it into practice. We say things like, “I can’t do that; I’m not a pastor”, or “Before we do anything, let’s run it past our leaders”. This is fatal to seeing a Gospel movement. The Spirit of God refuses to ally himself with a spirit of control. The Apostle Paul really means it when he insists that “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Here is a little quiz to help you measure whether your own experience of church is centralized or decentralized. Answer these ten questions to reflect on what might need to change for you to live out the New Covenant promise that God has created a new priesthood of all believers.