Are You Called To Ministry?

 

A call to ministry can be both an exciting and terrifying experience for an individual. With any invitation of such magnitude, there comes some measure of ponderance. Questions arise as to whether the request is reasonable, doable, or even desirable. Jesus challenged his disciples in Luke 14 to consider the cost of following him because what initially attracted them to his ministry would not be enough to sustain them. Jesus was asking them for a life of total commitment to his way and an abandonment of everything else. The stakes were high then, and they remain so today. Make no mistake, every believer is called to a life of service and obedience to Christ, but some are called to specific roles “so that the body of Christ may be built up.”^[1] 

If all are called, then how do believers distinguish their unique calling? Abram heard the audible of God and in response packed up everything to go on a journey with an unknown destination.^[2] Moses was nurtured by his Hebrew birth mother and raised by an Egyptian Pharaoh, which gave him a diverse heritage. Despite this, when Moses heard a voice in a bush engulfed in flames, he still doubted his call and God’s choice of such an insufficient mouthpiece. However, God assured him, “I will be with you,” and even performed signs in front of him.^[3]  Later, God would reassure Moses’s successor Joshua as he was about to take the Israelites into the Promised Land. As the familiar words echoed in Joshua’s ears, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” he ordered the troops forward into their destiny.^[4] 

Even after losing her husband, all sense of security, and even her identity, Ruth’s call to follow God would almost seem unimpressive compared to Abraham, Moses, and Joshua. She heard no audible voice and received no visions, but she had a strong urge to follow her mother-in-law Naomi to the land of God’s people.^[5] This step of faith would land her in the family lineage of the Messiah.^[6] When Jonah was called, he refused to obey, but God, in His sovereignty, saw to it to place him back on shore to do the work Jonah had originally been called to do.^[7] For Esther, she needed to be encouraged by her cousin to fulfill her call and act in obedience. Mordecai says to her, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” ^[8] Mary, the mother of Jesus, would receive her call to steward the life of the Savior from an angel, and her betrothed would have a dream. Jesus called his twelve by name, and others just followed. Paul was struck blind, and Timothy was circumcised. There was no one-size-fits-all call for servants of God. 

Each of these lives represents the range in which a loving God chooses to invite humanity into His story of redemption. Some play large roles and others only a passing line in the pages of history, but all point to the work God is doing through Christ to restore people to a right relationship with Him. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, he “transformed tables into pulpits and ordinary homes into assembly places where strangers were warmly welcomed and the gospel shared with them.”^[9] What began with the nation of Israel as a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” now includes Jews and Gentiles.^[10] Peter understood that all people who have been rescued from the darkness of their sins to the light of God’s grace have a responsibility, a call, to spread this gospel. 

In his discussion on how people might accomplish this, Paul uses the analogy of the human body, with many parts, making up one unified whole with Christ as the head. To be clear, he differentiates the parts of the body and the gifts given to help the church understand that each person is dependent on another and no gift has greater value than another. However, some are called to vocational ministry and leadership within the church. Paul outlines five of these specific roles in Ephesians, identifying apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as leaders within the body of Christ.^[11] This is not a comprehensive list of every vocational ministry role, but it does show that Jesus intends some to fulfill a role that equips others to use their unique gifts both in and out of the church. 

From a young age, I believed there was a call on my life to serve in one of these roles, but that vision would lie dormant for many years. I wanted to be a pastor like my dad, but no such calling was appropriate for a woman in my home church, so I faithfully served whatever position God opened for me. God’s word was precious to me, and I devoured it, loving to learn and listen to my father preach and teach. My gifts grew, and opportunities to use them increased. Volunteering eventually became my full-time occupation, until one day I felt the Holy Spirit tell me it was time. I had this strong impression, He was telling me to pastor His people, and shortly after that, God provided the funds and the opportunity to attend Bible college. 

One step led to another, and a mentor told me about a job opportunity to work full-time at my church. For three years, I served faithfully in that role, helping others take the next steps in their faith journey. Over the years, different people have spoken into my life, some words I could not see how they would possibly come to pass, but in faith, I trusted that God did. What I have discovered along the way is that not every call lasts, and not every gift is meant for every season. I have seen some come and go. I no longer sing in a worship band or lead large teams. During this season, I lead a small organization that mentors young adults in applying biblical truth. The call to ministry is not about fitting God’s vision for my life into mine; it is about being open to serve whenever and however God sees fit in every season. 

My point is, we each have a way to participate in sharing our stories and using our gifts. Some are called to full-time ministry. Some are called to use their gifts to serve in the military or teach in a classroom. Some are called to share their story with strangers or travel to foreign lands to spread the gospel. What is God calling you to do?

Not sure? Here are a few things to consider: 

• What motivates you to serve God?
• Who has spoken into your life in a positive way that offers insight into how you might serve, and what did they say?
• Has a pastor, leader, coach, parent, or mentor encouraged you to go into full-time ministry?
• What areas of interest or gifts do you have? 
• Do you have the desire or ability to get the needed education to meet the requirements of a particular vocation?
• Are you growing in spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness?
• Do you love the unchurched, the lost?
• What cross are you willing to bear?

Heart & Soul, 

Ruthie

^[1] Eph. 4:12b, NIV.

^[2] Gen. 12, NIV.

^[3] Ex. 3:12, NIV.

^[4] Joshua 1:9, NIV.

^[5] Ruth 1:16-18, NIV.

^[6] Matt. 1:5, NIV.

^[7] Jonah 2:10, NIV.

^[8] Esther 4:14c, NIV.

^[9] Siang-Yang Tan, Shepherding God’s People: A Guide to Faithful and Fruitful Pastoral Ministry (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2019), 5.

^[10] 1 Pet. 2:9, ESV.

^[11] Eph. 4:11, NIV.