The idea
The Priesthood of All Believers points to real authority, inhering in every Christian, and conferred in baptism. Our movement embraces this deeply.
How it connects
- The Springfield Presbytery recognized the authority of the congregation to ordain its own ministers, as recognition of the work of the Spirit. Brush Run recognizes the same authority inhering in the congregation.
- Alexander Campbell says in his first sermon that Communion is a taste of the Millennial Church. This connects with the Communion theme throughout, and the Millennial Harbinger.
Events
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Brush Run Church
1811
Alexander and Thomas Campbell and neighbors form a congregation shaped by weekly communion and believer’s baptism.
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Alexander Campbell Ordination
1812
On January 1, 1812, the <a href='/places/brush-run/'>Brush Run Church</a> ordained <a href='/people/alexander-campbell/'>Alexander Campbell</a> to the Christian ministry in a ceremony that broke with traditional Presbyterian practice. The congregation itself, not a presbytery or bishop, conferred ordination—asserting the autonomy and authority of the local church. <a href='/people/thomas-campbell/'>Thomas Campbell</a>, Alexander's father and himself an ordained Presbyterian minister, participated in the service, symbolically affirming the shift from denominational hierarchy to congregational self-governance.
Documents
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The Christian Association of Washington
1809
After his censure and withdrawal from the Seceder Presbyterians, Thomas Campbell gathered his hearers into the Christian Association of Washington — deliberately not a church, but a voluntary society for promoting simple evangelical Christianity. The *Declaration and Address* was written to explain it.
Read aloud
The breaking of bread is not a festival for the few, but the continual feast of the Lord’s people.
The church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one.