Being "called" into the ministry; and "surrendering" to the ministry

[judson1982]

I know that one does not apply for a church position the same way s/he would apply for a position outside the church; but I am wondering about what the entry point is? As a long-time Baptist, I have heard terminology like being "called" to the ministry, "surrendering" to full-time service, and "surrendering" to preach. Does that mean that once the decision is made, you cannot go back on it? Does it mean that you have to pursue that calling and turn your back on secular careers? Does that mean you cannot change your mind about what God has laid on your heart? And also, why is it a decision that ranks up there with making a profession of faith, getting baptized, moving your church letter, or even rededication? And why is it something you have to indicate on an application to many seminaries?

 

[Paidiske]

I can't say much about how Baptists do things, having gone through the whole process as an Anglican, but maybe I can say a couple of useful things.

I think the entry point, once you recognise a sense of being called, is to talk to people in leadership in your church (however that's structured) and see whether they affirm or doubt your sense of call. If they affirm it, you can go forward with their recommendation and support; and if they doubt it, it can be helpful to work through their reasons why.

Often we think God is calling us to something, and as we work through it, we found that we didn't understand as well as we might have thought. Vocation unfolds over time, and that's perfectly fine. Your church shouldn't rush you into a long-term leadership role, at all; and if it did, that would concern me greatly.

You can leave ministry, of course. But being in ministry changes you. I could go back to the work I did before, but I wouldn't be the same person. I think - along with getting baptised, getting married, and becoming a parent - it's probably one of the biggest life decisions you'll ever make.

I think it makes sense that you indicate that to seminaries because often there will be different subjects offered to those who are aiming for ordination, and those pursuing lay vocations. It helps them to shape the best possible course of study for you.

I hope that helps?

 

[Oldmantook]

I know that one does not apply for a church position the same way s/he would apply for a position outside the church; but I am wondering about what the entry point is? As a long-time Baptist, I have heard terminology like being "called" to the ministry, "surrendering" to full-time service, and "surrendering" to preach. Does that mean that once the decision is made, you cannot go back on it? Does it mean that you have to pursue that calling and turn your back on secular careers? Does that mean you cannot change your mind about what God has laid on your heart? And also, why is it a decision that ranks up there with making a profession of faith, getting baptized, moving your church letter, or even rededication? And why is it something you have to indicate on an application to many seminaries?

I have gone down the path you refer to. "Called to ministry," graduated from seminary, served as a staff pastor for several years, only to later resign and return to my former career. Why did I do that? Just some of my reasons:
In our orthodoxy we proclaim the universal priesthood of all believers but in our orthopraxy we distinguish and bestow titles upon our leaders thus serving to further the divide between clergy and laity.
I didn't like receiving a salary from the congregation. This also divides the laity from the clergy as the "professional" gets paid for ministry while the lay people "volunteer." I'm not saying that pastors shouldn't get paid but I don't think that Paul and the apostles had in mind a professional, paid clergy class system when they started out the NT church.
Believers attend church services primarily to participate in worship led by the worship leader and listen to the pastor's sermon. Basically they are spectators while the specialists perform the work of ministry on Sundays. The few do the majority of ministry while the vast majority "attend" church. Is that the NT model?
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 1 Cor 14:26
Church gatherings afford us the opportunity to do the "one anothers" according to our gifts and talents to build up the body of Christ. When the sheep become passive and rely on the pastoral staff, not all of the parts of the body fit and work together to edify the church. I acknowledge that churches have different rates of participation but the model remains the same as long as you have a paid staff and volunteers.
As for me, I had a prior career to return to so I could still leave the ministry. Other pastors who may want to leave full-time ministry have no other work skills or experience to rely on.

 

[Southernscotty]

As for me it was a the love that God placed into me at salvation. I know my story is a little different but I was a severe alcoholic with panic and anxiety. [This because I was miserable with fibromyalgia and arthritis]
I finally hit rock bottom, No money, No nothing, So I hit my knees and cried out to God to kill me or help me.
From the moment I ask Him, He delivered me of alcohol, Smoking, Dipping and Panic immediately. I never wanted or desired any of it again. All those years of drunkenness just washed and forgotten.
God then filled me with a great love for others at that moment and I guess I felt the calling at that time but was pretty doubtful about my ability as the life I had lived was pretty bad.
I started going to church and reading and studying the Word of God day and night. I started seminary school and made the decision to serve God the rest of my life somehow and so I prayed for an answer. The very next day a man came up to me and ask if I would be interested in going to the jail and giving my testimony. Well one thing led to another and I became ordained and started volunteering preaching at jails, prisons and nursing homes around my area. Then some people approached me about starting a church because of various reasons that their home churches had started taking a "softer" approach on things that God declares to be sin. So I prayed on this a long time and finally got my answer.
Now I am a volunteer pastor for our very small but loving church. I do not pass a collection plate at all, Nor will I ever, there is a little box on a desk that people can drop money into out of a cheerful heart "if" they wish, or as they might feel led. I say this simply because I want to make a point.
God always provides. Our little church never has much, but it always has just enough, He always makes sure that if someone comes to us needing diapers or food or shoes or medicine or whatever, There is always "just" enough to cover it.
You see, it is God that blesses this, So He will your decision as well. if you ask for His complete guidance. I always tell others, it is about true faith and if you believe then anything is possible :]
If you feel "called" then pray and let God have you completely . He needs laborers and He can and will use you greatly.
God bless you in your journey and I pray that you lead many souls to the Lord :]

 

[ezra932]

if you feel you been called to the ministry/ preaching.. it has its rewards and it has its hardships and heartaches one way to know if your truly called if you can keep from preaching doing the ministry work.then chances are your not called. if its like fire in your bones and you can not keep from doing it .most likely your called..only 2 people know you and God .every church association has there own guidelines for becoming a ordained minister .i am ordained through the general baptist .i am mostly non denom .i am called to preach not to just baptist . you do not need to go to seminary to learn how to preach. the Holy spirit will do that. you should make your announcement to your pastor and then the Church God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called! this is truth

 

[ezra932]

As for me it was a the love that God placed into me at salvation. I know my story is a little different but I was a severe alcoholic with panic and anxiety. [This because I was miserable with fibromyalgia and arthritis]
I finally hit rock bottom, No money, No nothing, So I hit my knees and cried out to God to kill me or help me.
From the moment I ask Him, He delivered me of alcohol, Smoking, Dipping and Panic immediately. I never wanted or desired any of it again. All those years of drunkenness just washed and forgotten.
God then filled me with a great love for others at that moment and I guess I felt the calling at that time but was pretty doubtful about my ability as the life I had lived was pretty bad.
I started going to church and reading and studying the Word of God day and night. I started seminary school and made the decision to serve God the rest of my life somehow and so I prayed for an answer. The very next day a man came up to me and ask if I would be interested in going to the jail and giving my testimony. Well one thing led to another and I became ordained and started volunteering preaching at jails, prisons and nursing homes around my area. Then some people approached me about starting a church because of various reasons that their home churches had started taking a "softer" approach on things that God declares to be sin. So I prayed on this a long time and finally got my answer.
Now I am a volunteer pastor for our very small but loving church. I do not pass a collection plate at all, Nor will I ever, there is a little box on a desk that people can drop money into out of a cheerful heart "if" they wish, or as they might feel led. I say this simply because I want to make a point.
God always provides. Our little church never has much, but it always has just enough, He always makes sure that if someone comes to us needing diapers or food or shoes or medicine or whatever, There is always "just" enough to cover it.
You see, it is God that blesses this, So He will your decision as well. if you ask for His complete guidance. I always tell others, it is about true faith and if you believe then anything is possible :]
If you feel "called" then pray and let God have you completely . He needs laborers and He can and will use you greatly.
God bless you in your journey and I pray that you lead many souls to the Lord :]

very well put

 

[ezra932]

I know that one does not apply for a church position the same way s/he would apply for a position outside the church; but I am wondering about what the entry point is? As a long-time Baptist, I have heard terminology like being "called" to the ministry, "surrendering" to full-time service, and "surrendering" to preach. Does that mean that once the decision is made, you cannot go back on it? Does it mean that you have to pursue that calling and turn your back on secular careers? Does that mean you cannot change your mind about what God has laid on your heart? And also, why is it a decision that ranks up there with making a profession of faith, getting baptized, moving your church letter, or even rededication? And why is it something you have to indicate on an application to many seminaries?

talk with your pastor your going to find a lot of man made ideas on being a minister

 

[lee11]

As for me it was a the love that God placed into me at salvation. I know my story is a little different but I was a severe alcoholic with panic and anxiety. [This because I was miserable with fibromyalgia and arthritis]
I finally hit rock bottom, No money, No nothing, So I hit my knees and cried out to God to kill me or help me.
From the moment I ask Him, He delivered me of alcohol, Smoking, Dipping and Panic immediately. I never wanted or desired any of it again. All those years of drunkenness just washed and forgotten.
God then filled me with a great love for others at that moment and I guess I felt the calling at that time but was pretty doubtful about my ability as the life I had lived was pretty bad.
I started going to church and reading and studying the Word of God day and night. I started seminary school and made the decision to serve God the rest of my life somehow and so I prayed for an answer. The very next day a man came up to me and ask if I would be interested in going to the jail and giving my testimony. Well one thing led to another and I became ordained and started volunteering preaching at jails, prisons and nursing homes around my area. Then some people approached me about starting a church because of various reasons that their home churches had started taking a "softer" approach on things that God declares to be sin. So I prayed on this a long time and finally got my answer.
Now I am a volunteer pastor for our very small but loving church. I do not pass a collection plate at all, Nor will I ever, there is a little box on a desk that people can drop money into out of a cheerful heart "if" they wish, or as they might feel led. I say this simply because I want to make a point.
God always provides. Our little church never has much, but it always has just enough, He always makes sure that if someone comes to us needing diapers or food or shoes or medicine or whatever, There is always "just" enough to cover it.
You see, it is God that blesses this, So He will your decision as well. if you ask for His complete guidance. I always tell others, it is about true faith and if you believe then anything is possible :]
If you feel "called" then pray and let God have you completely . He needs laborers and He can and will use you greatly.
God bless you in your journey and I pray that you lead many souls to the Lord :]

Hi

Thank you for writing what you wrote, it is about time someone spoke up and said they don’t pass around a collection plate etc, but there is a box available where believers may tithe and make offerings according to their belief or conviction in their hearts, and I also thank you for sharing that believers are helped when they have a need(s) and God provides for them.

I believe this is the intended role model of the fellowship that was practiced before corruption and greed came into the fellowships and the prosperity gospel robbed believers and financed the leaderships lifestyles and agendas.

I believe the apostles worked to support themselves and others and volunteered their time to evangelize pray and minister etc.

It is rewarding to read that others still try and follow this model.

Thanks again.


Peace.

 

[drjean]

"For the gifts and callings of God are without repentance." Romans 11:29

If you aren't sure, go in a different direction and see if God redirects you!

 

[ezra932]

if you aint figured out your call ny now..chances are your not

 

[drjean]

if you aint figured out your call ny now..chances are your not

Do you really think so? Why, I wonder? God calls many late in life...and some don't even find God til later in life... and while the calling is without repentance, sometimes God even changes the mission later on....

Wasn't Moses 80 years old before his calling was sure? Noah was 600 years old when the ark was built....