How do I know if I’m called to the ministry?
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Image via WikipediaThere are four widely recognized aspects to the biblical call to a teaching ministry in the church.Aspiration is the subjective part. “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim 3:1). “Aspires” in Greek is “to reach out for.” Desiring the office is a part of the burgeoning call, but not the only one.
Those who feel called to teach, can get frustrated when their spiritual leaders don’t immediately proffer the keys to the kingdom and a pulpit of their own. This happens when one ignores the 3 other aspects to the call.
You’d be surprised how shocking it is for some to hear that they need to be skilled to do this job. They think that since the harvest is plentiful and the workers few, they are literally God’s gift to the kingdom, and anyone offering preaching advice is a mere speed bump to their mega-church aspirations and must “get behind me Satan.”
But “able to teach” (1 Tim 3:2) is the only requirement of an elder/pastor that is not required for other positions in ministry, like that of deacon. The ability to teach involves having a mastery of the material, and the skill-set required to communicate it.
If you are going to defend the faith against attackers, counsel couples making life decisions, comfort doubters or those grieving, or if you are going to exhort others to holiness using the authority of the Bible, then you need to know your way around the Scriptures.
Bible college training prevents (or at least delays) you from morphing into a Dr. Phil or cult leader. You need to know which part of the Bible deals with which issues, so that when a devastated divorcee comes for insight, you can flip directly to Matthew 19, and not just start reading in Genesis 1 hoping something on divorce turns up soon.
The skill to communicate truth can manifest in different ways. If you want to be a preacher, then you need to be able to, you know, preach. But those who aspire to the office of overseer/elder can manifest their teaching gifts in other ways too. Truth can be taught through one-on-one counseling. Or in a class setting with dialogue teaching. Even writing articles, books, or counseling by mail could be ways you may be gifted to teach. But if you have nothing to say or no way to say it, you are not called to be a teacher.
Affirmation is the part of the call where people other than your mum agree that you should be in a teaching position. This is more than admitting you have the ability to communicate. The biblical qualifications for pastors and elders are objective standards that need to be affirmed by others. They are primarily moral credentials. You need to live a life worth following and have a message worth proclaiming. And those who know you need to affirm those things.
Mere ability to edify, and aptness to teach, is not enough; there must be other talents to complete the pastoral character. Sound judgment and solid experience must instruct you; gentle manners and loving affections must sway you; firmness and courage must be manifest; and tenderness and sympathy must not be lacking. Gifts administrative in ruling well will be requisite as gifts instructive in teaching well. You must be fitted to lead, prepared to endure, and able to persevere. In grace, you should be head and shoulders above the rest of the people, able to be their father and counselor. Read carefully the qualifications of a bishop, given in 1 Tim. 3:2–7, and in Titus 1:6–9. If such gifts and graces be not in you and abound . . . as a pastor you will be of no account.
Yes, the harvest is ripe and the workers few, but James says “Let not many of you become teachers” (3:1) Embrace that balance.
A recognized opportunity, i.e. the appointment to a position of teaching, is the final punctuation point on your call. This is how God’s sovereignty is consciously given the final word. You may want to teach, you may be able to teach, and your gracious church leaders may tell you they think you should teach, but until God gives you a group of people willing to listen to you, you are not yet called. A leader with no followers is just a person taking a walk. Appointment can be by other elders ordaining you, or a congregational vote, or some other objective system of recognition.
Commissioning is an important step. Some churches do official ordination, others simply appoint you. But a self-appointed preacher is a rogue voice in the kingdom of God. There are other avenues to use your gift, not everyone is called to be a preacher.
