Discernment process

[benedictine]

Could anyone involved in ministry(especially ordaioned ministry), post how they felt God's call, and how they went from point A to where they are?
Also, could you give any advice concerning Discernment to someone considering a vocation?

 

[benedictine]

please?

 

[herev]

sorry, I never saw this thread....hmmm short answer for a long issue. Basically, I felt my calling about the time I was your age--but I hated even the thought of it, so I spent the next 15 years trying to quiet that voice in my soul by finding every possible ministry in the church to be active in. Each time, I felt God saying, well, that's nice, but it's not what I want you to do.
Eventually, I got involved very deeply in a Bible study and then something called the Walk to Emmaus. At the conclusion of those two events in my life, I could no longer run, so I began finishing my undergrad, which I left when I was 21. That was 8 years ago and I finish Seminary in May. I have been a pastor for 6 years and my life has never been more fulfilling.
Best advice I ever got: You should go into ministry ONLY if you just can't do anything else. Cuz if you can find happiness, peace, contentment, and fulfillment doing something else, then you may not be feeling a call to full time ministry.
Hope that helps some
God bless
Tommy

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

In regards to ordained ministry, talk to your priest, bishop, and/or spiritual father about it. I myself am going to go to seminary, which seems to be the best course of action.

 

[Highland Watchman]

I'll post something once I can get my thoughts in order.

 

[benedictine]

I'll post something once I can get my thoughts in order.

great!

 

[clonenomore]

Best advice I ever got: You should go into ministry ONLY if you just can't do anything else. Cuz if you can find happiness, peace, contentment, and fulfillment doing something else, then you may not be feeling a call to full time ministry.

Good point, which is applicable to my life. I originally felt the call to preach when I was 16. However, being the hardheaded, stubborn 16 year old that I was, I pulled a Jonah and ran to Tarsus. I ran for 23 years. During that time, I got into drugs for a bit, and then alcohol for a long bit. Even after I cleaned up, I jumped from job to job. I kept thinking that the next job would bring the satisfaction that I was searching for. I kept thinking that the next job was going to put me on easy street. Needless to say, that didn't happen. During this time of my life, I had a problem with anger management, a problem that stemmed from the fact that I wasn't doing what God had planned for me.

Finally, God brought me to a church pastored by a man that I had not seen in many years. This man had the same type of background and temperament
as I did. I started to get involved in the church. I took a class on discovering my God-given design. During this class, I started to feel the call once again. This time, after a last-ditch effort at wrestling with God, I answered the call. After I finally stopped fighting, and answred the call, I felt a great weight lift from my shoulders. That's a cool feeling.

I originally thought that God was calling me to preach in the United Methodist Church (UMC), and I enrolled at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA. However, God has revealed to me that that is not where I am to be. He has called me to plant a non-denom church, with a strong emphasis on evangelism. I am now working towards that goal. I am also working on a certification as a nouthetic counselor. I am ordained through United Christian Faith Ministries. Additionally, I am working on developing a seeker-sensitive ministry at my church. I also teach a number of classes, including the Discover your DESIGN class, the Good Sense Budgeting class, and the New Membership Class.

Will He call me to go to seminary? I don't know. I strongly believe that He does not call every preacher to go to seminary, but if He calls, I'll go. However, we should ALL be students of the Bible in our lives.

The biggest thing that I learned through all of this is that we will not find true happiness (joy) until we discover, develop, and live out our God-given design. God has a specific plan for each of us, and He expects us to follow that plan. I also learned that God's time and my time are often 2 different things. I have to be patients, and allow God to work.

 

[FreeSpiritFaith]

I have always been able to communicate with God. I decided to become a minister for several reasons. I wanted to help people. I have been through several demon posessions and also had experiences with several other types of entities. I want to help those who need help. I want to teach people the new message. I was chosen by God to do my work. I found out about being ordained online, and the first chance i got, i went to ULC and got ordained.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

I have always been able to communicate with God. I decided to become a minister for several reasons. I wanted to help people. I have been through several demon posessions and also had experiences with several other types of entities. I want to help those who need help. I want to teach people the new message. I was chosen by God to do my work. I found out about being ordained online, and the first chance i got, i went to ULC and got ordained.

If I may be very blunt, ordinations online are worth nothing. In the Bible, elders had to choose you, and lay their hands on you. Online, you choose yourself and hands are not laid upon you. The best course of action may be to seek tonsuring from a canonical congregation.

 

[benedictine]

What's tonsuring?

 

[clonenomore]

What's tonsuring?

Tonsuring is shaving your head. I understand it most often associated with monks. If you remeber the monks in movies, often they are bald on the top of their heads -- that the tonsure. Since I don't belong to a denom that tonsures, I don't understand the meaning of it here. Bizzlebin, can you explain?

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

What's tonsuring?

Cutting of three peices of hair. Readers are often tonsured

 

[AngelusSax]

In the Bible, elders had to choose you, and lay their hands on you.

I hope you don't drive.... ever. Because nobody drove cars or trucks back then, either.

(Yes, this was a joke with some meaning.... but mostly a joke)

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

I hope you don't drive.... ever. Because nobody drove cars or trucks back then, either.

(Yes, this was a joke with some meaning.... but mostly a joke)

I don't drive. If I become involved in an accident and accidentally kill someone, I can't be a bishop.

 

[AngelusSax]

I don't drive. If I become involved in an accident and accidentally kill someone, I can't be a bishop.

Is that because forgiveness has no place?

Because when one is forgiven, then that incident is remembered no more.

Besides, if you're truly meant to be a Bishop, and you drive... well God will make sure you get to be a Bishop. He's kinda all-powerful that way.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Is that because forgiveness has no place?

Because when one is forgiven, then that incident is remembered no more.

Besides, if you're truly meant to be a Bishop, and you drive... well God will make sure you get to be a Bishop. He's kinda all-powerful that way.

Forgiveness has a place, but some people aren't allowed to do some things. That's the way it is.

I agree. So when I have to drive, I trust in God.

 

[AngelusSax]

Forgiveness has a place, but some people aren't allowed to do some things. That's the way it is.

It just seemed like you were saying the policy was,
"Had an accident? You're screwed. You can't possibly be ordained now, as you've messed up before."

If I misunderstood, as is most likely the case.... well then sorry for the confusion.