Equip and Release the Priesthood of All Believers

Key takeaways

Every believer is called to participate actively in God’s mission.
The shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant emphasizes the priesthood of all believers.
Church leaders should lower barriers for entry into ministry and empower ordinary people.
Personal testimonies highlight how God can work through brokenness.
Each believer possesses the Holy Spirit and is equipped to contribute to the kingdom.

Summary

Welcome Back and Introduction

The hosts humorously kick off the podcast with an invitation for listeners to engage through likes and shares. They set the stage for the discussion, focusing on the ongoing series about the 10 Disciple Making Principles they are exploring in collaboration with Bobby Harrington from Discipleship.org.

Equipping and Releasing the Priesthood of All Believers

The seventh principle discussed is about activating and equipping the priesthood of all believers. The hosts emphasize the importance of this principle, reflecting on the transition from the Old to New Covenant, where every believer gains access to God's work, shifting from a professional ministry focus to an inclusive approach.

Breaking Down Barriers in Ministry

Josh and Jason address the divide between professional ministers and congregants, likening it to a basketball game where only a few play while many watch. They advocate for lowering entry barriers in ministry, arguing that everyone has a role and is called to participate actively in God’s mission, regardless of formal qualifications.

Personal Testimonies and Call to Action

The hosts share personal experiences that showcase God using ordinary individuals in powerful ways. They call on church leaders to create meaningful opportunities and remove obstacles, encouraging believers to step into their callings without waiting for official permission.

The Power of Ordinary Believers

Through anecdotes, the hosts illustrate how everyday believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can fulfill significant roles in ministry. They stress the importance of empowering individuals to move forward with their God-given gifts, reinforcing that ministry is accessible to all.

Show notes

Join us at the 2025 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/

Today’s episode will help us understand how to activate the priesthood of all believers and empower everyday people to step into their God-given calling.

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Empowering Every Believer: Activating the Priesthood of All Believers - Disciple Maker's Podcast Ep. 7

In this episode of the Disciple Maker's Podcast, hosts dive into the seventh principle of disciple making – the equipping and releasing of the priesthood of all believers. Drawing from studies by Bobby Harrington and insights from Ephesians 4, they emphasize the importance of lowering the bar for entry into ministry while increasing support and accountability. The discussion highlights the need to break down the professional laity divide, allowing everyone to participate fully in God's work. Personal anecdotes illustrate how ordinary individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or roles, can be used powerfully by God. The episode closes with a call to action for both church leaders and individual believers to embrace their roles in the Kingdom and equip others to do the same.

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Key Takeaways

00:00 Welcome Back to The Disciple Maker's Podcast

00:36 Introduction to Disciple Making Principles

01:12 Principle #7: Equipping and Releasing the Priesthood

01:51 The Shift from Old Covenant to New

02:46 Breaking Down Professional Ministry

04:35 Practical Steps for Church Leaders

06:12 Encouraging and Empowering Believers

06:37 Personal Testimonies and Experiences

11:32 The Importance of Speaking Life into Others

12:20 Early Preaching Experiences

13:58 The Rat Trap Illustration

14:25 Early Preaching Experiences

14:57 Mentorship and Opportunities

15:49 Equipping and Releasing the Priesthood

18:11 Lowering the Bar of Entry

18:21 Personal Responsibility in Ministry

19:31 Empowering Individuals for Ministry

24:33 The Power of God in Everyone

26:41 Encouraging Initiative in Ministry

29:34 Conclusion and Resources

Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/

See Below for a longer description:

The episode kicks off with Josh and Jason having some fun, channeling their inner newscasters as they introduce The Disciple Maker's Podcast. Right away, they hit on the heart of the conversation: the Church isn’t just for professionals — every believer is called and equipped to take part in the mission.

This episode dives into one of the ten core disciple-making principles: activating the priesthood of all believers, a concept drawn from Bobby Harrington and Discipleship.org. Josh and Jason unpack how the Church often sidelines most people, treating ministry like a spectator sport — a few “professionals” on the court, while the rest just watch from the stands. But Jesus calls everyone to get in the game, and the Holy Spirit gives us all what we need to play.

They explore the shift from the Old Covenant, where only priests (Levites) had access to God, to the New Covenant — where all believers are invited to serve and represent Him directly. It’s a powerful reminder that ministry isn’t reserved for a select few.

Josh also highlights the common “professional vs. laity” gap in churches and argues for lowering the barriers so anyone can step into ministry, with the right support and accountability along the way.

He shares his own story — starting as a nervous, underprepared teenager giving his first sermon with a makeshift object lesson — and how mentors spotted potential and gave him room to grow. That experience shaped his path and reinforced the power of empowering others before they feel “ready.”

Josh and Jason also push church leaders to create meaningful opportunities beyond simple Sunday roles like handing out bulletins. The goal? Equip people to share the gospel and make disciples, not just fill a slot.

One story really drives this home: Josh tells of a woman in his church who felt called to serve in nursing homes. When she asked if she needed permission, Josh simply told her to go for it — God had already called her.

They wrap up by encouraging leaders to remove obstacles, invest in people, and hold them accountable as they step into ministry — because when the Church unleashes the priesthood of all believers, lives change.

Josh closes with a reminder: the same Spirit that raised Jesus lives in every believer, so there’s no need to wait for permission. He invites listeners to check out resources at Discipleship.org and teases the next episode, where the conversation will continue