Called to preach? How do I know for sure?

3rddayrisen,

My call to preach hit me like a ton of bricks and was a complete change in career path. I was on my way to becoming an officer in the Marine Corps when God called me. This began the process of trying to understand what it meant to be called to preach. Some time later I was sitting down with my mother's pastor trying to learn more and get some advice and he told me this.

"If God will let you do anything else, besides preach, and be content then you weren't meant to preach."

Now before anyone jumps on my case let me share some more. This does seem kind of simplistic but over the next few years I tried doing other things and following other career paths but God wouldn't let me be. It was only once I started seminary and began pursuing preaching as a vocation that I was granted peace in the matter.

Now, everyone's call is going to be different. You know Jesus asked Peter and the other disciples to follow Him. He knocked Paul to the ground and blinded him. Your experience of a call will be different than everyone else's but if it is genuine God will not let you get by with anything less. Continue to seek the Lord in this because it is huge!

In Christ,
Christian

Rathvon I think I feel your calling is similar to mine. In my case I have really excelled in some work fields, for two decades or so. Things are well and positive in the secular world, but... Since a few months back the "I might pastor after retirement" thought has run into something more urgent and concrete.

We must be sure the Lord has it in for us however, I could just want the sense of adventure. Both of my prior careers had adventure, risk, and innovation. Is this just another lap around the course, or not? Although I say it is a calling; I introspectively wait for more confirmation. Although I can get by OK with both my spiritual witness and knowledge now, I'd be more comfortable both learning the ropes, material, and learning the full meaning of the position by going to Bible College.

Hopefully this insight is encouraging, any thoughts?

the standard way to tell is a tingling in ur left big toe

To begin with, the fact that many are called means you are more likely to be called than not.
Matt 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
You probably don't see it that way but God needs many because the harvest is plentiful.
Matt 9:37
"...the harvest truly is plentous, but the labourers are few."
The Laborers are few because not everyone one responds to the call.

Secondly, being called means being identified and set apart for God's purposes. Obviously "purposes" isn't mono-thematic so in seeking God's will for our calling we shouldn't be looking in only one direction. Sometimes what ever-roles we're already playing are actually what we're called to do ...so then what God requires of us is to be fruitful in that calling.
There is a call to fruitfulness.

"You don’t need to hear a call; you’re already called.”

Keith Green

What are we called to do? Are we all called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers? The answer is a simple, “No.” Most of us do not have these fantastic high callings. We are all simply called to be fruitful.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 15:16”

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Excerpt From: Dag Heward-Mills. “Many Are Called.” Dag Heward-Mills. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.”

Thirdly, as already said God calls people in different ways; some people have dramatic or spectacular experiences like Moses and Paul[Acts 9:3-6], others in an ordinary way[1 Kings 19;11-12], some even through desires(ranging from mere desires to strong convictions)- 1 Timothy 3:1. What ever the case may be , do pray always that Lord will make things more vivid and that His will be done in your Life. He wants more than anything for us to be in His perfect will- How You Can Be in the Perfect Will of God.

3rddayrisen said:

I feel like I am called. It is constantly on my mind. Even when I was living in sin and not close to my Lord, I had a nagging in my soul. This has been going on for years and I cant seem to shake it. The thing is, I havent even found a church here since I have moved to Ga.

How do I know? How WILL I know?

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I believe we are all "called" to preach but being in a pastorate functioning as a shepherd is not a calling but a Spiritual gift.

3rddayrisen said:

How do I know? How WILL I know?

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All of Messiah's faithful are called to preach. Messiah preached, and we are all commanded to follow Him, to be like Him, to do as He did.

Are you saved? Have you been born again( born from above) ? We 'll start from there.

3rddayrisen ... quick suggestion. I suggest that you take plenty of time and think over the commitment sriously. spend much time in prayer each week about it.

these comments are in no way doubting your heart or your commitment. I simply see the future for the world and the church as being a very rough experience. the world is becoming like an angry sea ... with people tossed all over the place. many will feel lost. there will be much competition and conflict. this will be a very difficult arena for the servants of the Lord to work. it will take enormous reserves of dedication and faith to deal with. thereore ... please consider carefully before embarking on a difficult path.

these comments of mine are not prophesies. instead they are direct personal observations, from having gone myself out into the "rough spots" of the world as a Christian servant.

blessings,
Gideon

Go downtown and start preaching to people. After a few hours you should have a pretty good idea if its right for you or not.

For starters, [bless and do not curse]you are more likely to be called than not;
“If you were God and you had six billion people to save, what would you do? Would you send one or two people to save them or would you send a lot of people? Of course, you would send many people into the fields of harvest. And that is exactly what God has done. He has called many people! Do not be deceived by the few pastors you see sitting on the front rows of churches. That always gives the impression that a few have been called, or that the majority of the congregation have not been called. Actually, it is the exact opposite. Many, and not just a few pastors, are called to the work of saving the world.

Five Facts about the Call of God
1. Many are called.
[bless and do not curse]For many are called, but few are chosen.
Matthew 22:14”....
Excerpt From: Dag Heward-Mills. “Many Are Called.” iBooks.[bless and do not curse]
This material may be protected by copyright.

We must understand that people are called in different ways. There are so many of such examples of which I'll mention a few ;
1. The divine call of Paul through quiet convictions:
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!. 1 Corinthians 9:16
2. The divine call of Abraham through the Word of the Lord. Genesis 12:1-4
3.The divine call of Paul through spectacular and supernatural visitations:
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: AND SUDDENLY THERE SHINED ROUND ABOUT HIM A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.Acts 9:3-9
4.The divine call of Aaron through Moses.Exodus 4:14-16
Notice that the call of God is not only subjective but could be through someone , where you are sent say as a missionary or appointed to do anything concerning God's business; also, it could be as dramatic as having spectacular or simply peculiar experiences and visions or us subtle us quite convictions.
NB: Praying specifically for the will of God to be done concerning your call is indispensable
There are a whole lot more examples in the book and I'd recommend you reading it. Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding. ..God Bless!!

Hi,

It takes a lot of heart change to be a pastor. Because you are dealing with peoples emotions and lives, and often making judgments on peoples character. If you do not look for the best in people you can become judgmental and critical and hurt the people you are leading.

I would say your call is from God, but how you go about it is what is important. Firstly you need a 110% reliance upon God. Ask him to continually show you your faults, and reveal to you where you hurt others. You have to be perfect in character and free from known sin.

Secondly start taking steps toward your call, begin to talk to people about Jesus, pray as often as you can. Prayer is the most important step. Ask God to give you signs and wonders, you need miracles, people need a miraculous God, not empty words.

My Victory Order
----------------
1) Pray
2) Pray
3) Pray
4) Pray
5) Pray
6) Pray
7) Do stuff

Read 1st & 2nd timothy and Titus these are the "pastoral Epistles" they should show you what God asks of a preacher/pastor and give you an idea of what you are in for. The biggest thing for me was having other confirm my calling.