My Personal Call to Ministry

When I first started to sense the Lord’s calling upon my life, I was fearful.  I shrugged it off, downplayed it and generally ignored it.  Soon, though, I couldn’t get the thought of serving in ministry out of my head.  I began to discuss a possible call with my wife.  It seemed plausible, but neither of us knew how a person was called or what it meant to be called.  This went on for about a year.  Next, I started asking our pastors about it, then some friends and family and finally a few elders.  I bought a book on the subject by Henry Blackaby, but it wasn’t much help.  All the while the Spirit kept after me.  I’d think about it some, kick it around, muse about it and then drop it.  But that nagging feeling just wouldn’t go away.

One day I approached one of my pastors, Dwight Davis, and he told me he felt I might be being called into the ministry.  He said he’d felt that way for some time.  I was shocked and comforted at the same time.  We talked some and then got together with our wives two or three times to explore the idea in more realistic terms.  They were generous and candid in helping my wife and I understand our call.  One of our other pastors, Stuart Sheehan, also sort of took me under his wing and started to mentor me.  We met every other week or so for about six months.  From the beginning, it seems the only thing we talked about was my call to the ministry.  It intrigued me and frustrated me.  It was both near and far.  I was ambivalent.   I wanted it even more now, but wondered whether I was qualified or if I was even really called.

In desperation, I called my mentor and asked for a lunch date.  I wanted him to go through the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 with me again, only this time I wanted us to look at each qualification individually.  I wanted him to help me understand each qualification and I wanted him to help me determine if I met those qualifications.  It was during that meeting that I finally felt both free and compelled to accept the call.  It was my business that I had been worried about.  I just needed to let it go.  I had been somewhat fearful about the financial implications of a call to ministry.  That was what had been holding me back.  That day, I returned to my office and broke the news to my key man who agreed to take over the business on the spot.  He and I had talked about the ministry before, but I was always vague and uncertain.  Now the decisions were being made and a plan was being put into motion.

My wife was convinced of my call to the ministry, and she was convinced of her own call as my wife as well.  Our parents were consulted and all agreed.  All three of my pastors were in full agreement.  Each one of my close friends were consulted and affirmed my call.  My mentors and elders affirmed my call.  Other family and friends were consulted.  All affirmed my call.  I was ready.  I am convinced from all my reading, studying, praying and seeking the counsel of godly men and the opinions of those who know me best, that I understand what a call to the ministry really is.  A call to ministry is simply a God-given desire to become an overseer, backed-up and authenticated by meeting the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3, combined with the affirmation of family, peers and elders.

I do not yet know specifically to which area of ministry God will ultimately call me.  He hasn’t made that clear to me yet.  I would like to pastor in a church, but first, I’d like to be mentored as an assistant or as an associate under experienced pastors.  I have considerable administrative skills and might serve well in that capacity early on.  At some point, though, I’d like to start a church.  One day, I would also like to teach and write.  My wife and I have even considered going abroad as missionaries and might enjoy that as well.  However, I do not feel a very strong leading of the Spirit in any particular ministry direction at the moment.  I only feel strongly that I am to prepare for what He has planned for me.  I’m sure the Lord knows what He is doing and I’m sure that He has told me all that I need to know at the present time.  He will reveal things to me as He sees fit.  I trust Him.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *