How to Know if God Called You to Ministry
Al Mohler
Has God called you to ministry? Though all Christians are called to serve the cause of Christ, God calls certain persons to serve the church as pastors and other ministers. Writing to young Timothy, the Apostle Paul confirmed that if a man aspires to be a pastor, “it is a fine work he aspires to do” (1 Timothy 1:1, NASB).
Likewise, it is a high honor to be called of God into the ministry of the church. How do you know if God is calling you?
First, there is an inward call. Through His Spirit, God speaks to those persons He has called to serve as pastors and ministers of His church. The great Reformer Martin Luther described this inward call as “God’s voice heard by faith.” Those whom God has called know this call by a sense of leading, purpose, and growing commitment.
Charles Spurgeon identified the first sign of God’s call to the ministry as “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” Those called by God sense a growing compulsion to preach and teach the Word, and to minister to the people of God.
This sense of compulsion should prompt the believer to consider whether God may be calling to the ministry. Has God gifted you with the fervent desire to preach? Has He equipped you with the gifts necessary for ministry? Do you love God’s Word and feel called to teach? As Spurgeon warned those who sought his counsel not to preach if they could help it. “But,” Spurgeon continued, “if he cannot help it, and he must preach or die, then he is the man.” That sense of urgent commission is one of the central marks of an authentic call.
Second, there is the external call. Baptists believe that God uses the congregation to “call out the called” to ministry. The congregation must evaluate and affirm the calling and gifts of the believer who feels called to the ministry. As a family of faith, the congregation should recognize and celebrate the gifts of ministry given to its members, and take responsibility to encourage those whom God has called to respond to that call with joy and submission.
These days, many persons think of careers rather than callings. The biblical challenge to “consider your call” should be extended from the call to salvation to the call to the ministry.
John Newton, famous for writing “Amazing Grace,” once remarked that “None but He who made the world can make a Minister of the Gospel.” Only God can call a true minister, and only He can grant the minister the gifts necessary for service. But the great promise of Scripture is that God does call ministers, and presents these servants as gifts to the church.
Consider your calling. Do you sense that God is calling you to ministry, whether as pastor or another servant of the church? Do you burn with a compulsion to proclaim the Word, share the Gospel, and care for God’s flock? Has this call been confirmed and encouraged by those Christians who know you best?
The Bible calls all those who learn from Christ to win and build people to do the great commission. Christians are commanded to make disciples
It is not an easy task. It means giving our time, talents and treasures and turning back from our worldly desires and pleasures. It sometimes means surrendering our security blanket (material possessions, relationships) and putting all our hopes and faith in Him. However, Christ promised in Acts 1:8 power for us to do this task as the Holy Spirit fills us with His very presence.
The Bible also promised eternal rewards to those who are faithfully doing the great commission. Apostle Paul, in two of his letters, wrote about the crown of rejoicing which is reserved for those who labor in leading people to the Lord and building them up in the faith. “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved” (Phil. 4:1 cf. 1 Thess. 2:19-20).
Indeed, great are the rewards and recognition for those who win and build up souls for Christ, for it is eternal! None can compare to the treasures in store for those who are faithful in heaven. “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him’” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
It is for these reasons that we are encouraging everyone to join a Dgroup, as a member at first. As one is established in the faith, is trained in tried and tested ways of making disciples and exhibits the basic qualities of a good disciple, namely: faithful, available, committed and teachable; he or she is challenged to the great upward call of becoming a disciple or a D-Group Leader.
We pray that every Christian will see that the challenge for this earthly investment will bring forth eternal rewards from the One who is worthy of all our devotion and service.
God still calls … has He called you?
Are you ready to become a D-Group Leader?