Let's Be Clear: The Priesthood of All Believers

The notion of the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2) by no means negates the important and biblical roles within the local church. It also does not denigrate the calling and office of pastor/elder/overseer or that of the deacons (1 Tim. 3 & Titus 1). Instead, this biblical conviction reveals to us that laypeople have vocations and callings of their own that also entail holy responsibilities, authorities, and blessings.

Because of Christ, all believers—like the priests of the Old Testament—may come into the presence of God through the blood of the Lamb. All believers can handle holy things (such as the Bible) which was at one time denied to the laity. All can proclaim the Gospel to those who need its saving message.

"The priesthood of all believers means that all Christians enjoy the same access to Christ and are spiritually equal before Him. The priesthood of all believers did not make everyone into church workers; rather, it turned every kind of work into a sacred calling" 

Source: Gene Edward Veith, God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life

On Church Leadership: Character & Natural Abilities

Many people will say, "if they are gifted leaders, let them be used," but Paul tells the church in (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1), "let us first examine their character and then use their leadership gifts to bless the church." 

Why does it matter? Because, Paul understood rightly that a person's character paves the way for their natural abilities to be rightly used by God, for his glory. The measurement of a person's character as the qualification for leadership is essential, especially in the church. The chief end of the church is to glorify God and rightly display Christ's image for the world to see. God is literally making his appeal to the world, through his Church (2 Corinthians 5:16-20).

While the pragmatic approach to leadership cares more about a person's ability than their character, Paul instructs the church to care first about their character and then about their ability. Many gifted leaders have fallen from grace, due to moral failures, because the church failed to examine their character before setting them free to use their natural leadership abilities.

Instead of saying, "I want to be used by God in his church" try saying "I want to be the kind of person God can use in his church."