How do I know if I am being called to the ministry?

[AggieBrad]

Ever since I joined my church (Christ's Way Baptist in Bryan, TX) I have had this sense of calling. I am not sure if this is a true "calling" from God trying to lead me into the ministry. I am not interested in becoming a pastor but I have had alot of interest with the Youth Group. The Youth Minister and I have become very good friends and I know he will be there awhile. I feel like God is calling me to become a youth minister, but I would not want to leave the home that I have found in our church. We are not very big at all (150 members) and there is no position for an associate youth minister or anything like that. Is there anyone who might be able to offer me any guidance as to what I should do?

 

[Knight]

Have you thought about working with the youth ministry in your church. Most churches I know are always looking for voluenteers. Especially with the youth.

My advice is to pray about it and seek God's will. If God wants you in full-time ministry you can be sure He'll make it clear to you.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[AggieBrad]

Knight, thank you for the reply. I do already volunteer on a very regular basis with the youth at our church and I absolutely love it. That is why I think that may be my calling. I also sent an email to my pastor and asked him for guidance as well.

 

[Serapha]

I feel like God is calling me to become a youth minister, but I would not want to leave the home that I have found in our church.

This is a harsh reality. Serving God really isn't about what you want or don't want to do, it is about submission to what God has planned for your life. If you are unwilling to leave the home you have found in your church, then there is no reason to seek God's will in your life as you are following your own will and are content in that calling.


Mark 10:17-31

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.



I want to talk to you a moment about verse 26 through 28. The great apostle Peter tells Christ that we have left "all" to follow him. But was that true?

No, at that time, it wasn't true. Here's a little history lesson for you on that passage that might put "being called" into perspective.


Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum when this incident occurred. The apostle Peter had a home in Capernaum. In all probabibility, Peter's home has been located, excavated and a church built on the site. It wasn't the simple or standard home of the time, better known as the pillared three or four-room house, but it was a many-roomed home opening up on two open courts with indications that it was a two-story home. The meaning of this? Peter probably was making a lively living since he moved from Bethsaida to Capernaum which was along the Via Maris which provided a market outlet for dried fish to the rest of the world.

In other words, Peter was not a poor man. Matthew was there also, having been a tax collector at Capernaum and probably collecting tax on the fish industry that Peter was a participant with.

So why, in verse 26, are the disciples amazed? I would suggest that they were amazed because some of them had sufficient wealth to support their families while they sojourned with Jesus. They had not given the "all" as Peter suggested, but simply had sacrificed their time.

In the book of Acts, we learn that the disciples did give their all, they sold all their possessions to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ressurection of Jesus Christ was miraculous enough to change their definition of "all" to really mean all. Of course, by this time, they had received the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.

The disciples had to give their "all" to furthering the ministry. That is why they were called to be disciples, because God knew that eventually these followers would eventually give their "all".

When you are willing to give your "all", God will show you your calling and lead you where He wants you to be.

I apologize if you are offended by what I have said. I don't mean to judge you or criticize your intentions; but only want to show you the "all" that Peter and the other disciples were willing to give to further the Gospel.

Their "all" included their life for 11 of the 12 disciples who died martyr's death.

God might call you out of your comfort zone, and you might have to sacrifice more "all" than you are willing to at this time. Keep talking to God and listen and look for His leading.

~malaka~

 

[Serapha]

And to encourage you a moment...

If you are unwilling to leave your church at this time, yet feel a calling to youth ministry, you could take classes at a nearby college or via distance learning on the internet to obtain a degree in youth ministries.

~malaka~

 

[AggieBrad]

Malaka, you have done everything BUT offend me. You have really opened my eyes. I was being greedy im my own wants and now I see how selfish that is of me. Thank you for the guidance.

 

[GREG]

give it time and do what your heart calls you to do... If you have a LOVE for this, GO FOR IT!!!!

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

Know your heart. Don't resist. Consider all of your life and family.

It's a touchy subject, after all, there's a thin line between a semi-rational "God wants me to do this" and a personality disorder. For example a somewhat liberal female minister who was our associate pastor back in Dallas one day announced in church that "God" was "calling" her to "Mississippi". A wit in the next pew jibed "Surely God has more sense than that," but off she went to the land of the Magnolias.

 

[Phoebe]

Try asking others what they think. Sometimes others see these traits before we see them ourselves. I can pray that God will reveal the answer.

(My pastor seems to think that I should be one. Go figure. LOL)

 

[AggieBrad]

thank you everyone for such wonderful replies. I have talked with my pastor and we are going to start meeting about twice a week so that he can guide me through all of this.

Phoebe, one of the reasons I even came to realize that I was being called was because of so many people telling me I would be great at it.

 

[NotTroy]

I am very new to these forums but it is encouraging for me to see that there are threads for more than just arguments over doctrine. Everyone who has posted so far has done a great job of building Aggie up, just as Jesus wants us to do. Even the harsh love of Malaka was well recieved, sort of reminds me how the Corinths recieved and accepted Paul's first letter. Your posts here have made me feel better as well even though I am not facing what Aggie is going through.

I too am kind of having a crisis with a calling. Mine is very different in that I do not yet feel a specific calling in my life yet. I wish I had to make the decision Aggie does, at least it would mean I had something I wanted to do with my life. This probably isn't the best place to go into a whole lot of detail with how I feel and stuff. I should probably just start a new thread like Aggie here and hope I can get some of the same edification. Anyway, I hope you find this calling on your life to be a good one Aggie. Just remember to serve God in all that you do and nothing you do will ever be in vain.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

You will not be able to get away from it...

 

[AggieBrad]

NotTroy,

I spoke with my pastor yesterday and he brought up a very good point to me. He said one way you can be sure that you are actually being called by God is when no matter what career you chose, you are miserable. For me, I have tried many things from being a plumber to working on computers. I have yet to find anything that I am happy with. I make great money in my current job, but by no means am I fulfilled. I have a constant nagging feeling that I am supposed to be doing something else. Almost like I feel that God has a different place for me.

I pray that you will find someone like I did to help guide me through this process. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to email me at any time. I am very new to this as you are and I feel that together, we might be able to learn alot.

 

[Drotar]

Tell us more about your situation.

 

[AggieBrad]

What do you mean Drotar? What more would you like to know?

 

[Andrew]

Knight, thank you for the reply. I do already volunteer on a very regular basis with the youth at our church and I absolutely love it. That is why I think that may be my calling. I also sent an email to my pastor and asked him for guidance as well.

Hi AggieBrad,

1. When God's calling is on a person, it will always be brought out, sooner or later. ie people/leaders will sense it on you and will name you out and ask you to join. You may reject it (perhaps cos you're not ready yet -- timing) and 'run away' and join another church, but if indeed the calling is on you, you will be singled out again, and approached.

2. Which ministry to join? Well the simple answer is join the one you love most! Its as simple as that! you dont need a vision or some spectacular sign to know. As long as you have had a love for the youth ministry for some time now, and find deep fulfilment and happiness serving in that ministry, then that's the one to join. That's how God leads. He puts the desire in your heart, then gives you the annointing to do it, then says thank you at the end of the day and rewards you! Aint God good!

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

ps: signs and prophecies should only confirm what you already know in your heart. eg say you visit a church and some stranger just comes up to you and prophesys over you and says "God has called you to minister to youths..." Straight away you'll know that's from God becos it confirms what you already know and want to do in your heart!

God bless