My Calling to Pastoral Ministry

In the Old Testament, God communicated directly with those He chose either by speaking to them or through dreams and visions. Similarly, in the early days of the New Testament, He sent messages to people like Mary, Joseph, and Paul through Angels. However, this kind of communication is so seldom today that people will more often than not question when Christians claim to have spoken to God through dreams or visions. While it can be argued such communication was, in most if not all cases, private and confidential even in the Old Testament, it can generally be agreed that the physical manifestation of God is very rare in the modern day. Nonetheless, most Christians want to believe that God still communicates directly with his people especially when inquiring into the call of a Christian minister[1]. In this regard, it can be concluded that God speaks directly to a highly select few believers as opposed to the vast majority who are left in silence and riddled with confusion. This is evidenced by the proliferation of books, seminars and films on how to discover ones calling from God.

According to the New Testament every Christian is called to dedicate their life to God. As such, every believer must be ready and willing to take his cross and follow the Lord in daily faithfulness and service. This implies that every Christian should present himself to God as a living sacrifice and dedicate their life fully to the will of God[2]. Notwithstanding, the nature of a person’s calling is determined by three factors including the spiritual gifts that the individual has been awarded, the principal of Bible steward ship and public approval and recognition of the calling of God by God’s people[3]. The third factor is particularly important in the case of pastoral ministry because it entails leadership, shepherding, teaching, preaching and rendering church discipline.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 suggests that every Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift. In fact, most believers have several spiritual gifts, which complement each other. Furthermore from Ephesians 2:20, we learn that these gifts are bestowed in just the right combination and measure depending on the tasks we are ordained by God to accomplish on earth. As soon as a person identifies these gifts, they are obliged to utilize them to fulfill God’s will. The Principle of Biblical stewardship stipulates that Christians should use their spiritual gifts as opposed to putting them away in a box or burying them for safekeeping. This is evidenced by the parable of the Talents, where one of the servants was afraid to invest his master’s talent so he went and hid it in the ground. On his return, the master stripped that servant of his talent because he ought to have invested his money with the bankers so that the master would have received what was his own with interest. Generally, ones calling is designated by their gifts and it should not be ignored.

From the foregoing, it can be concluded that God’s call to pastoral ministry comes only to those who are bestowed with the necessary gifts for such a ministry. Nonetheless, if an individual simply possesses the necessary gifts, zeal and temperament for this ministry, then this is a sign of God’s calling. Contrary to the popular misconception, one does not need a special revelation from God to prove their calling. However, like any other spiritual gift, one should seek the advice of church elders and other Christians before venturing into the pastoral ministry. One of the main roles of the local church is to give public approval and recognition of God’s calling and gifting. The role of the church should however not be misconstrued. It can only confirm to others publicly that a man has been called by God to this ministry and not impose the ministry on people who lack the necessary gifts.

Mohler (2008) pointed out that even though Christians are called to serve the will of God, He only calls certain people for the pastoral ministry[4]. The author argues that one way of recognizing God’s call is by following your heart. This is because God speaks to those individuals he has chosen to serve the Church through His spirit. Martin Luther King referred to this inward call as God’s voice heard by faith. Those who have been called by God can recognize this call by a sense of leading, growing commitment, and purpose. Charles Spurgeon further contended that the first sign of God’s call to the ministry is an intense all absorbing desire for the work. Those who have been called to become church servants often sense a growing desire to minister to the people of God, preach and teach the word. Consequently, if one feels this compulsion, they should embrace the possibility that God might be calling them to the ministry.

Personally, I love the word of God very much and as such, I feel called to teach. In this regard, I also believe that I am equipped with the necessary gifts for the pastoral ministry. According to Spurgeon, those who cannot help it, and must preach or die are the ones who are truly called by God to the ministry. Other than being gifted to preach I have a sense of urgent commission, which could only mean that my calling to serve the church is authentic.

Besides my calling to teach the gospel of Christ, there are several verses in the bible that call on all Christians to spread the Word of God. This implies that all believers, regardless of their individual gifts, are obliged to fulfill this essential duty on earth. In the Bible, it is very clear that God wants us to go forth and spread His Word. For this reason, I believe that it is my God given mission to share God’s word with as many people as possible.

After the resurrection of Christ, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. After her encounter with Christ she went back to tell the other disciples who were still mourning His death. Despite their relationship with Christ, they found this hard to believe. Notwithstanding, He also appeared in another form to two believers who were walking into the country. Like Mary Magdalene, they went and spread the good news to other believers, but much like the first scenario, no one believed them.

He later appeared to the eleven disciples as they sat at the table. He rebuked their disbelief and hardness of heart, because they were all expecting him to rise from the dead yet they did not want to believe those who had seen him. It is at this point that Christ called on all of them to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Those who would believe and get baptized would be saved; but he who does not believe would be condemned. He added that those who believed would cast out demons in His name, speak in tongues; take up serpents and heal the sick. Moreover, nor weapon forged against them would prosper.

In Matthew 24:14, Jesus’ disciples were concerned about the “close of the age” so He answered that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” This suggests that the world will come to an end when the gospel has been spread throughout the globe. It is therefore evident that spreading the Gospel is consistent with God’s grand design for the world. The main aim of spreading the gospel throughout the globe is to give non-believers another chance to hear, believe and repent. As such, spreading the gospel is one way for seeking the salvation of human kind.

Psalms 96:3 also urges Christians to spread the Gospel by instructing them to “Declare [God’s] glory among the nations, [and] His wonders among all peoples.” This verse is a part of hymn lifting up the Lord and praising Him for everything that He has done. Whenever we fall in love, we are eager to tell our close friends and family about it. Similarly, we should disclose our relationship with God to them. If we are filled with love for our God and the blessings of the Holy Spirit, we cannot afford to keep quiet about it.

Revelation 14:6-7 says “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’” From these verses we learn that even when the world will be coming to an end, the angel will be proclaiming the gospel in accordance to God’s will. God instructed His believers to share the word with every tribe, nation, language and people in the world.

Finally in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” In these verses, Jesus essentially tells His disciples to continue with the work he had begun in Israel by spreading the truth about His goods works so that people from all walks of life may know.

On the bottom line, I have faith that the local church ministry is the work to which I have been called by God because I have the necessary gifts to venture into the pastoral ministry. Other than that, my heart throbs to spread the Gospel. I believe that being a pastor is my biggest calling in life and I intend to pursue it in order to fulfill Gods will. I am also confident that the church will approve my calling because I have been told on several occasions that I would make a very good church leader. Furthermore, I believe that I have an obligation in my capacity as a Christian to spread the Word of God to all parts of the world.

References

Mohler, Albert. Has God Called You? Discerning the Call to Preach. 14 February 2008. http://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/has-god-called-you-discerning-the-call-to-preach-11568212.html (accessed August 3, 2o15).

Spread the word Ministries. Spiritual Gifts Part II, Ministry, and The Call of God… 2002. http://www.spread-the-word.org/digging_deeper/spiritual_gifts2.htm (accessed August 3, 2015).

The Bible (New King James Version)

1. 1. Spread the word Ministries. Spiritual Gifts Part II, Ministry, and The Call of God… http://www.spread-the-word.org/digging_deeper/spiritual_gifts2.htm (accessed August 3, 2015).

[2]. Romans 12:1-2

[3]. Romans 12:3-8, Matthew 25:14-30, Acts 6:1-6, Timothy 4:14 and Titus 1:5

[4]. Mohler, Albert. Has God Called You? Discerning the Call to Preach. 14 February 2008. http://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/has-god-called-you-discerning-the-call-to-preach-11568212.html (accessed August 3, 2o15).

Pastoral Ministry