The institutionally captive church recognizes two kinds of Christians — clergy (ministers/priests) and laity (regular people). However the Bible teaches that all Christ-followers are “kings and priests.” (Revelation 1:6) They are all part of a “royal priesthood.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Christians aren’t just church members. They are all priests called to “encourage one another,” to “spur one another on to love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 10:24-25) and to be a light to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)
The leaders of the Protestant Reformation taught the priesthood of the believer as a doctrine. However, when they organized their churches they ignored it. They set up their institutionalized churches as a top-down pyramid with clergy on top and laity on the bottom.
Almost every Christian denomination and nondenominational church has followed suit and embraced two kinds of Christians — professional pastors commissioned to function like a one-man priest and control passive laymen and laywomen during an hour or longer religious service. Then the laypeople are sent home satisfied that they have done a good thing by being part of an audience of inactive attendees — hearers but not doers of the word. (James 1:22-25)
If any ministry needs to be done during the week lay Christians have been trained to call their professional pastor. They’ve been taught by example to rely on him to pray, to answer all religious questions, to explain the Bible, to evangelize, and to encourage people in the faith while they as laymen and laywomen remain silent.
However, when Jesus sent out His disciples He told them to go and make disciples of all nations and to teach their disciples to do everything that Jesus had commanded them to do. (Matthew 28:18-20) According to the Bible the role of leadership in the body of Christ is to train all Christians to do the work of the ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
The Bible doesn’t support the traditional clergy laity divide. It teaches that all Christians through the blood of Jesus have direct access to God the Father and to the Holy Spirit. However the Bible does recognize two kinds of Christians — spiritual and carnal. Spiritual Christians obey and are led by the Spirit. Carnal Christians follow and obey their own thoughts, feelings, and desires. (1 Corinthians 3:1) Which are you?
Who is the head of a church — Jesus or the pastor. Jesus is supposed to be, but who plans the church service? Who controls it? Is it Jesus or the pastor?
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Short Reflections, Lasting Encouragement 
Jesus isn’t down here to speak his words, so that’s why we have priests and pastors preaching the gospel in his name?
Samantha: Jesus is here. You can get to know him and have a personal relationship with Christ. He told His disciples, “I am with you always.”
Yes I know, maybe I misunderstood your context – I am indeed a Christian / baptised and following our Jesus Christ our Lord
Yes. There’s no laity mentioned in the New Testament. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:26: “What should be done then, my brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” My church is non-hierarchical and doesn’t pay a pastor. The church calls it a shared leadership model. All members are expected to participate in leadership as called. Anyone is welcome to share in worship.
Thanks for sharing about your church!
If you want to listen to an example of how we do it at Dayspring Church, here’s a link to the recording of this morning’s message time. One person shared briefly and then opened it up to others to share as led. 8 others shared. So 9 people shared of the 18 present in person or on Zoom. And it was very moving. https://tinyurl.com/2a42lshp