What is a priest? What is a balanced theology of priesthood given both our contemporary life, and our OC/IC context? How does this (as yet un-developed) theology of priesthood affect or influence such things as our attitude toward community, and our understanding of the Apostolic Heritage? Is “priesthood” necessarily defined as the ordained service in the life of a sacramental community?

These are but a few of my questions related to “priesthood” – some I have tentative answers to – others I have not even considered enough to speculate on yet. Yesterday, I read with interest John Plummer’s blog-post on the “mediating” quality of the ordained service, and as you might expect, I now have more questions to add to the above list (thanks John!).

There are many . . . “understandings” of ordained priesthood swirling about among OC/IC folk. Some, I believe, are well thought out, and deserve to be aired in a broader forum. Others are merely hijacked from an idealized (never realised) past – and ought to be exposed for their lack of integrity. Some are merely “inherited” unconsciously practiced without cultivating an awareness that that particular model – to better serve an OC/IC identity could do with some adjustment, even whole-sale reform. I am certain too, that there are models of ordained priesthood which I have yet to encounter.

One image of the ordained service that has stayed with me for many years (and I confess – I’m not entirely certain from where I developed or picked it up) is that the ordained are entrusted with the stewardship of the community’s symbols.

While I leave you to sit with that for a bit – I extend to you and invitation to join me (and I think John Plummer) in exploring the meaning and value of priesthood in our OC/IC context.