Called to Pastor

[joshlete]

Like many said, we are all called to preach the Gospel. That might not mean being a pastor though. It could be preaching the Gospel to friends or even strangers.

I do believe that being a Pastor is a God given gift. It takes a unique talent to use words elequently and with wisdom and grace. There aren't many who have these talents, like myself. I always envision myself to be a pastor, but I simply don't have those skills to be one. Of course, a pastor speaks words the Holy Spirit tells him to speak. But me personally, I know God wants me to speak to many people about the Gospel, which I am assuming is either missionary or people around me. But it's a work in progress on my end, and understanding where God wants me to be.

In the end though, it is God who opens doors, closes doors that should be shut, and keep doors open that should be open. You should be led into the door of pastoring, it shouldn't be forced into it.

 

[bekkilyn]

God's call has both an internal and external component. Internally, do you have a desire to do this work? Are you gifted to do this work? Externally, do God's people affirm your calling? Is there a church that wants you to be their pastor?

Some people feel the internal call, but nobody wants them to be their pastor. If it's God's call, both elements will line up.

This is how I felt about it when I was pursuing vocational ministry. I had no previous experience other than being a church member, and not always a very diligent one as church attendance throughout my life has been very erratic. But every time I came across something I believed to be a serious obstacle, God just went up and opened that door...multiple times to the point where I don't think anyone could believe it was all just coincidence.

God doesn't call the qualified, but qualifies the called.

 

[mama2one]

have a neighbor who's a Pastor
seen him on the sidewalk praying with a neighbor,
shovelling other people driveways (sick people),
having Bible studies at home,
and he visits people in hospitals

seems like it's a way of living not just when he's at church

 

[Monk Brendan]

A couple times in my life, especially when my fellowship with God wasn't broken, I have sort of "felt" like I was being moved to become a pastor. I've been told to do so one must be "called" and yet I've never had a clear definition of just what that means. I certainly feel in my heart and with my knowledge of the Word that I could do it.

In the pre-reformation churches, the actual CALL is when your name is called during the ordination service and you're led to the altar to receive the laying-on-of=hands.

 

[akaDaScribe]

A couple times in my life, especially when my fellowship with God wasn't broken, I have sort of "felt" like I was being moved to become a pastor. I've been told to do so one must be "called" and yet I've never had a clear definition of just what that means. I certainly feel in my heart and with my knowledge of the Word that I could do it.

Have you been involved in ministry already?

 

[DamianWarS]

A couple times in my life, especially when my fellowship with God wasn't broken, I have sort of "felt" like I was being moved to become a pastor. I've been told to do so one must be "called" and yet I've never had a clear definition of just what that means. I certainly feel in my heart and with my knowledge of the Word that I could do it.

I asked a similar question and the advice given to me is that it's extremely hard not to follow God's will. The suggestion was to follow where I felt God pulling me and what comes before me should be self affirming so long as it's the voice of God that is pursued and likewise if another voice is followed it should be self-destroying.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

A couple times in my life, especially when my fellowship with God wasn't broken, I have sort of "felt" like I was being moved to become a pastor. I've been told to do so one must be "called" and yet I've never had a clear definition of just what that means. I certainly feel in my heart and with my knowledge of the Word that I could do it.

The job of the pastor is equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. How have you been serving up till now? Have you taught sun school or in the children's ministry? Often starting to serve one area prepares you for another. Sit down and talk it over with godly men, perhaps your pastor and start praying about what path you should take.

 

[Sketcher]

A few thoughts of mine on the matter:

A co-worker of mine used to be a pastor. He still believes as far as I can tell, but he said the reward for doing a good job was simply more work. And he had 7 kids. So he retrained and began working for us.

The pastors at my church have consistently taught that before they preach something, they have to apply it to their lives first. This often comes when studying for the message they will be preaching within a week or two.

Side income seems to be popular among pastors I have spoken with, whether it's flipping houses or teaching a class or writing books. That of course will crush you as far as time goes.

Time with your wife and kids is very important, and the demands of pastoring can take away from them. A big enough church with a big enough staff and a priority of giving its pastors enough time to also be husbands and fathers is what I recommend you look for if you proceed.

 

[Llleopard]

If you feel ready and your church will give you a ministry pass, You can often preach at nursing homes and it is awesome. These little people will love you to death, Just be ready for anything in a nursing home Brother trust me.
I have been preaching and had little old ladies stand up and start singing at the top of there voice and start dancing and I have had some get into fights in their wheelchairs because they were trying to crowd in around to hear me. That is when I bought a sound system lol

Awesome! My husband has an application in at the moment for a rest home pastor position. I thought it would be a bit of a slower pace....but perhaps not!!

 

[Martyr's Crown]

have a neighbor who's a Pastor
seen him on the sidewalk praying with a neighbor,
shovelling other people driveways (sick people),
having Bible studies at home,
and he visits people in hospitals

seems like it's a way of living not just when he's at church

I think doing this has become more rare nowadays. In the past this was something they did a lot, a priest got very familiar with the people. Nowadays, when looking at the more modern "set-up" churches, as well as perhaps the way life has become during this time of age, they are more bound to the activities within their church.

Everything will depend on the priest and pastor, whether they have a great passion for reaching out to the people. The thought of becoming a servant to the people, as well as remaining humble, are also two very rare qualitites to have in a pastor/priest these days. In this world where there is a huge hunger for power and having a great position, also within a church, these two qualitites aren't always seen. But it is what Jesus Christ told us;

"And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' "But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant." (Luke 22:24-26)

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Same way of thinking should a pastor/priest have, taking care of his flock, as well as being willing to give up his life for them. This is a heart of a true leader. Yet if he is humble, he will not look at his life as being more important than the ones of his flock, taking care of his church's well-being as well as nurturing them will be more important to him.

 

[JoeP222w]

A couple times in my life, especially when my fellowship with God wasn't broken, I have sort of "felt" like I was being moved to become a pastor. I've been told to do so one must be "called" and yet I've never had a clear definition of just what that means. I certainly feel in my heart and with my knowledge of the Word that I could do it.

Concerned about the "feelings" aspect of this. While feelings may be involved, do not base your decision on "feelings" but on the truth of God's word.

 

[Southernscotty]

Awesome! My husband has an application in at the moment for a rest home pastor position. I thought it would be a bit of a slower pace....but perhaps not!!

LOL Get ready for the ride of your lives :] Those residents will steal your heart and bring you guys more joy than you can imagine.
I am honored that your husband is being obedient to the call. God bless your family

 

[Archivist]

Qualifications for pastoring includes maturity and that comes with age and having a seasoned walk with God- the Bible warns against ordaining young pastors and you are not showing me his age only his teaching.

Maturity doesn't necessarily come with age. I know people in their teens who are very mature and some in their 50s who never grew up, and a very young person can still have a seasoned walk with God.

I suggest not only talking with your pastor, but also talking with pastors from other denominations. Find out about their experiences, which may be very different for the experiences of your pastor. One of my former pastors told me that some of the best advice that she got before deciding to attend seminary was given to her by a Catholic priest.

 

[messianist]

How well do you know the word?
How much of it has been a reality in your life that you can translate over to others spiritually
example Paul had only taught what he had personally experienced.

 

[HatGuy]

Qualifications for pastoring includes maturity and that comes with age and having a seasoned walk with God- the Bible warns against ordaining young pastors and you are not showing me his age only his teaching.

The Bible warns about ordaining people who have just become a Christian. There is nothing in any of the qualifications that insist you must be of a certain age. (33 is a good age. Jesus was apparently that age when He died. Seems good to me.)

 

[AlexDTX]

Qualifications for pastoring includes maturity and that comes with age and having a seasoned walk with God- the Bible warns against ordaining young pastors and you are not showing me his age only his teaching.

You are right.

 

[AlexDTX]

@Stringfellow_Hawke
Rom_8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

@Stringfellow_Hawke
Rom_8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I don't mean to sound rude but I would prefer you just explain what you think in your own words and not just write down passages with no explanation. This doesn't tell me anything. Do you mean yes, go for it? No don't? Study more?

 

[oldrunner]

A couple times in my life, especially when my fellowship with God wasn't broken, I have sort of "felt" like I was being moved to become a pastor. I've been told to do so one must be "called" and yet I've never had a clear definition of just what that means. I certainly feel in my heart and with my knowledge of the Word that I could do it.

Go for it! But remember to count the cost before you take the plunge. (Luke 14:28)

 

[Paidiske]

I suggest not only talking with your pastor, but also talking with pastors from other denominations. Find out about their experiences, which may be very different for the experiences of your pastor. One of my former pastors told me that some of the best advice that she got before deciding to attend seminary was given to her by a Catholic priest.

I agree with this. You might like to drop over to the Full and Part-time Ministry forum, where others of us in ministry might be more likely to respond to your thread.