Hi Kid,
I think we recently had another thread where our priests answered a like question (no female priests here now, although we are expecting that will change somewhere down the road.) We are also in the process of making some videos profiling the priests as they answer some questions from folks (we are a little delayed, but hope to have these during the Spring) ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ts-of-Treeelaf
I will answer briefly for myself.
As with any art or calling, there are practices, teachings, skills, attitudes, duties, knowledge to master and embody with special care so that one may be in a position to help others and pass on those practices, teachings etc. to others and into the future. It is the same with any art ... carpentry, classical piano, Karate, tea ceremony. All the people in this Sangha practice the same practices and teachings, by the way, but some folks need to transition more deeply from a position of recipient to servant, student to teacher, apprentice to master, car owner to mechanic, patient to nurse. That is all. Priesthood is primarily a role of servant to all sentient beings.
You can read more about Shukke Tokudo ("Homeleaving Just At Home") at Treeleaf right here ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post130673
Kokuu linked to an excellent talk on this very topic by a youngish priest in another Soto Lineage, and I suggest you listen. It will answer many of your questions.
The Koan of the Robe
https://www.upaya.org/2015/02/joshin...n-of-the-robe/
Gassho, J
SatToday