Sorry to do this, but I have to do two posts in one day to finish this out! I want to finalize this series of posts with a thought that many have asked: How do you know if you are called to ministry? First, I cannot fit that into this tiny post, so I am looking for your comments to complete this! So let’s look at the verse again that we looked at in Part 1:
Here is a trustworthy saying: if anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1
So, here are a few thoughts:
- It starts with the desire. If you have never even had a thought about serving the church full-time, then God has not placed the desire in your heart. But there are those of you out there who have thought about it, but you still think it is a job. Bottom line: if you think ministry is a job, you are probably not called. There are aspects of ministry that are like a “job,” but ministry is a desire. If you want to make money, you probably are not called. A lot of ministry jobs pay well, but you will probably never get a bonus and you will never get rich! Ministry is about investing in people – no matter what your position/title will be.
- It requires great sacrifice. I think the first sacrifice you have to make is for education. In today’s church it is not required, but I have never heard someone in ministry say that they wished they had less education. After you sacrifice for education, you will sacrifice where you can live in the country. If you are following Him, and He says go to Tennessee, you go (even if you are an LSU Tiger Fan!). You know you are called when the sacrifice ultimately seems worth it!
- Your spouse feels called. If your spouse is not called, you need to take more time to figure out your calling. Fortunately for me, my wife has been in ministry her whole life (whether she liked it or not – her dad was in ministry). But, she was going to be in ministry, full-time, whether we were married or not. If your spouse is struggling, have him or her talk to someone who is called – they will encounter the same difficulties you experience in the church and will need to know that God has called them as well. Take the time they need – God knows where you both are…don’t hurry them. (If you marry someone who is called, you are making that choice as well – really consider that!).
- You will have peace about your decision. I have lacked peace about a ministry position, but I have never lacked peace about my calling. When you have God’s desire in your heart to serve Him full-time, you will have peace.
- You do not long for another vocation. You really will want to serve His Kingdom.
- Being in the center of God’s will is your priority. If you are called, you will desire to grow closer to Him. If you do not desire to study His Word, learn more about Him, and become like Him, then you are probably not called.
Okay, I’m stopping there. Help me out – how else do you know that you are called?
Do you think God calls people into what we consider “secular” vocations? Can His Kingdom still be served full time in that kind of setting?
I definitely think that He does. In reality, we are all “His ambassadors” as Believers. So, we should all be serving Him where ever we are. In reality, Paul was a tent-maker serving Christ. Trying to think of some other references in Scripture.