Am I being called to preach

[youngbeliever05]

Hello,

I am having a dilemma. How do I know if I am being called to preach? I have a VERY VERY STRONG desire and urge to want to preach, but I am scared. You see I have been out of my church for a long time and I am really scared what people might say. I am also scared that I dont have the necessary knowledge to be a minister. I feel like I dont know what I want to know. I want to preach and minister, but my main dilemma is "is this what God has for me". Someone, please help me....

 

[vespasia]

When God calls a person;
It is never contrary to His word.
He confirms through His word
He confirms through other people
And He gently demonstrates his call in many ways in differing places at differing times and *wait for it* not always through Christians.

If God has a serious call on your life He tends to make it as clear as crystal and it might not be in the direction your thinking of either.

If you have good reason to believe that God is calling you speak with the leadership at church and test this with them.

 

[candleflame]

Hello,

I am having a dilemma. How do I know if I am being called to preach? I have a VERY VERY STRONG desire and urge to want to preach, but I am scared. You see I have been out of my church for a long time and I am really scared what people might say. I am also scared that I dont have the necessary knowledge to be a minister. I feel like I dont know what I want to know. I want to preach and minister, but my main dilemma is "is this what God has for me". Someone, please help me....

I agree with the reply from vespasia. If God calls then he will guide you through. Check out your feelings with someone you respect and trust and don't try to rush things. You say you've been out of your church a while, well perhaps God wants you to get back in to test out that call as vespasia is right the leadership of your church need to check it out.You are in my prayers.

 

[Cloudz]

At sixteen if the feeling is causing what you feel is a dilemna that is the Lord right there talking to you.You go to the calling and be His voice.If it is in fact your calling,you will know it soon enough.Be blessed.I do youth ministry,when a young man feels this strong calling he is always a special man at that.

 

[Artos]

This might sound strange. But if you sense you might be called to preach, you need to be a man of silence. If you like talking, being in the limelight, it might be just you. It is in the silence that you learn the discipline of hearing God, of dying to self, of walking in step with His community of faith. It is no longer you who lives but Christ. Preaching (as EM Bounds said), is the outflow of a life. It is not the performance of an hour.
Blessings on you as you seek to hear Him.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Hello,

I am having a dilemma. How do I know if I am being called to preach? I have a VERY VERY STRONG desire and urge to want to preach, but I am scared. You see I have been out of my church for a long time and I am really scared what people might say. I am also scared that I dont have the necessary knowledge to be a minister. I feel like I dont know what I want to know. I want to preach and minister, but my main dilemma is "is this what God has for me". Someone, please help me....

yes, you are being called; never never give up trusting G_d.

but remember the cost of discipleship - what did all the disciples do and give up to follow Yahshua ? (everything!-read it yourself again and again from Genesis to Revelation) - still true today, G_d's Word never never changes.


if you think others will think highly of you, think again - Yahshua said woe to you if all men speak well of you; but blessed are you when men revile you and speak evil against you, for this is the way they have treated all the men G_d sent - Rejoice and be exceedingly glad when this happens, for great is your reward in heaven.

you will have much trouble, guaranteed by Yahshua;
but who else has the words of eternal life ?

 

[youngbeliever05]

Oh thank you yahshuaslavejeff. that was great. Thank you everyone. I recently confirmed my call. If I keep toiling with it, then the enemy will get exactly what he wants. I cant continue to toss and turn over this factor. If God is for me than who can be against me. Plus, arent we all supposed to preach God's word? Lets think about it today.

 

[jsimms615]

Hello,

I am having a dilemma. How do I know if I am being called to preach? I have a VERY VERY STRONG desire and urge to want to preach, but I am scared. You see I have been out of my church for a long time and I am really scared what people might say. I am also scared that I dont have the necessary knowledge to be a minister. I feel like I dont know what I want to know. I want to preach and minister, but my main dilemma is "is this what God has for me". Someone, please help me....

Dear Friend,
That's great that you want to preach. Just remember that being a pastor means more than just preaching. I would encourage you to get back into your church and begin to spend time with your pastor. Tell him or a pastor you respect that you want help and want to be mentored. Let those who have been in the ministry a while help you with this craft. It is a art as much as anything else.
God bless.
Jeff

 

[Living4Christ316]

Im 17 and yea im a girl! Im still young but God has called me to be a preacher. When i was called i prayed about it and asked God is that really what He wants me to do and He kept telling me yes brittany yes brittany and i accepted it. People at my school looked at me and laughed but they will soon see what i have that they dont... preach it sista lol! Your in my prayers!
Have a blessed day and may God Bless you
Brittany <><

 

[CasaLuz]

We really have too many "preachers" and not enough "lovers". First learn to love people, then preach to them. If you're willing to do that, then you're called. If you just want attention, then you're not.

 

[Saucy]

Hey, I'm freightened to preach. I'm scared in front of large crowds...but I bring it every week. As soon as I got saved, I felt God calling me to preach and I didn't have any knowledge on the subject. So, I went to bible college, sat under pastors, watched TV pastors, went to every church service, then slowly began to introduce my ministry by having a sunday school class, then small groups, and now we're a full-fledged ministry, in less than three years! So, you can't just jump into the pulpit today and start preaching. You've got to develop and grow your gift. Spend some time getting to know people, so when you preach in front of them, you'll be less nervous. Start off with small bible studies...you teach while you learn!

 

[M7nyc]

Fear is normal. I was a shy, insecure, High School dropout before I got saved at 19. My only goal in life was to stay out of trouble. Jesus turned all of that around, but it didn't happen overnight.


Let me share some encouragment from my journal.

I was part of a Tuesday night Charismatic prayer meeting held by the college campus of West Virginia University. The meeting was ecumenical and mostly college students. After worship and prayer, a microphone was available for student input. The ordained ministers that presided over the meeting called themselves “Coordinators.” The leadership encouraged all to participate and share whatever God put on their heart. Some shared testimony, others shared scripture and all was done for edification. I secretly hoped the Holy Spirit would not convict me to share. I didn’t get my way. I got a prophecy every week! I strained under conviction to approach the mike. Negative thoughts raced through my head: “I’ll draw a blank, and look foolish. I’ll stutter and look stupid. I’ll pass out.” My heart pounded in my chest from inner conflict at every meeting. I don’t think anyone else was aware of it, because I never received consolation from friends. God never let me off the hook. Many times I sat tight in disobedience, and afterward felt horrible. At home, I went into a dark room, fell prostrate on the floor, and cried profusely. My face wet with tears, I begged God not to leave. I suspected he might. “I don’t measure up.” I said to myself. “I didn’t pass the test.” I literally pounded fists and kicked my feet on the floor like I was throwing a tantrum. “God, please don’t leave me. I need you. Give me another chance. I’ll try harder.” This became a routine every week until I got the nerve to speak my first prophecy. After that, the fear dissolved. Nothing negative happened like I expected. In fact, that first word from God was well received by everybody. God had greater things in mind. I was a budding prophet, though at the time I refused to accept any label.

Later, I started street witnessing on college campus. I also founded the first Spirit-filled Christian campus organization in the history of WVU. It's called Canterbury Christian Fellowhip. I began sharing words in the Episcopal church I attended and that burst into a revival. I went on to Bible school, graduated, and started a church from scratch.

God takes weak things in the earth to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). If God can do that with me, than where's the excuse? Just remember one thing. It's not about what you can muster and do for God. It's always about an honest accessment of your shortcomings, and then asking God in faith to make up the difference. It always comes down to His strength in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Blessings,

Michael

 

[imaniingod]

Hey, I'm freightened to preach. I'm scared in front of large crowds...but I bring it every week. As soon as I got saved, I felt God calling me to preach and I didn't have any knowledge on the subject. So, I went to bible college, sat under pastors, watched TV pastors, went to every church service, then slowly began to introduce my ministry by having a sunday school class, then small groups, and now we're a full-fledged ministry, in less than three years! So, you can't just jump into the pulpit today and start preaching. You've got to develop and grow your gift. Spend some time getting to know people, so when you preach in front of them, you'll be less nervous. Start off with small bible studies...you teach while you learn!

God has not given us a spirit of fear! But of a sound mind. You can do all things through Christ whom strengthens you. My Uncle Reverend Lathan Woods became a Minister at twelve. If He has called you to preach then he will send confirmation. He will give you the words to say and He will be your help. When I became a Minister it was pressing on me so hard to preach and I just said have your way Lord!

God Bless

 

[imaniingod]

Dear Friend,
That's great that you want to preach. Just remember that being a pastor means more than just preaching. I would encourage you to get back into your church and begin to spend time with your pastor. Tell him or a pastor you respect that you want help and want to be mentored. Let those who have been in the ministry a while help you with this craft. It is a art as much as anything else.
God bless.
Jeff

Since you say that you have been out of church a long time, get back to church, get into your word, it may be that God is preparing you to Minister but you have some work to do. The Bible says to study to show thyself approved. Meditate on the word daily.

 

[rita727]

Hello,

I am having a dilemma. How do I know if I am being called to preach? I have a VERY VERY STRONG desire and urge to want to preach, but I am scared. You see I have been out of my church for a long time and I am really scared what people might say. I am also scared that I dont have the necessary knowledge to be a minister. Someone, please help me....

You are being called. I have a desire to start in a certain ministry also, but like you I don't have the knowledge I need. but like someone said in a book, "God's will done God's Way will never lack God's provision."

Im 17 and yea im a girl! Im still young but God has called me to be a preacher. When i was called i prayed about it and asked God is that really what He wants me to do and He kept telling me yes brittany yes brittany and i accepted it. People at my school looked at me and laughed but they will soon see what i have that they dont... preach it sista lol! Your in my prayers!

Oooh, I def. know how that feels! We have our work cut out for us Brittany.

We really have too many "preachers" and not enough "lovers". First learn to love people, then preach to them.

EXCELLENT advice.
It's easier to learn scriptures than it is to love another person.

-Rita

 

[BereanTodd]

I am encouraged by those who feel a desire to do God's work. To the original poster, I would say this ... a call to minister is a call to prepare. If you feel that God is calling you into the ministry, then that is great, but it is a process. You need to be in church. You need to be serving God, loving on other people. And you need to get equiped for the ministry. It is possible to get that from one-on-one discipleship, but it is best to find a good Bible college/seminary and to work your way through it being taught, trained, prayed up, and poured into by men of God who have been doing what you feel called to do for decades.

I felt called to the ministry and at first I thought I could just start to do it, but God continually closed doors for me until I gave in, submitted and began to be teachable. If you want to teach others you need to be teachable. You need to be a servant first also. So get on fire for God. Get involved in His work. Put yourself in line for training for a future in ministry.

As far as being affraid of speaking, I was terrified of it, and still do carry fear over it at times, but I have definately been given the spiritual gift of preaching and I love to exercise it now, because I know that it's nothing I can do, it's God working through me, and it is an awesome experience. But as others have said, actually "preaching" is the last/least part of being a preacher. It begins with love, service and sacrifice.

 

[Determinedheart]

It begins with love, service and sacrifice.

Amen to that !

 

[medguy83]

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[medguy83]

when You're truly called there won't be anything else you could possibly be content with in doing for the rest of your life except for the plan God has for you. There may be many careers in which you might excel, but making a decision to do so should bring about an uneasyness in your spirit. That is what happened to me. I was focued on attending medical school, but still had this feeling I was being called into the ministry. I would go through so much confusion and sadness over my dillema; until finally I realized that every time I would make a concious decision to be a doctor I would instantly get this horrible feeling that I was making a mistake.

Also, remember that God equips the called, he isn't forced to only call the equipped. Ministry is a lot more than preaching; if you are called into a preaching or pastoral ministry then the cry of your heart should be for souls and for helping the lost, and caring for the hurts and needs of other people. Your focus should be outward.I think I wrote too much, but this is my first post on this site so there it is.

 

[bdarien]

Paul said to desire the gift of prophecy above all other gifts, but Christ admonished that we are to be servants first, so while we might feel we are called we must be sure we feel that way because it was God wants and not because of our pride and the desires of the flesh.