How does one know that they are being called by God into the mission field?

In my recent reading I have been exploring the dichotomy that developed during the early years of the church that gave value to 'sacred' work over 'secular' work. That dichotomy is very evident in churches today - we are awed or revere someone who is in 'fulltime' ministry, someone who works in the local hamburger joint is not so revered. Why? Both are working in places where God has a purpose - churches have elevated some types of work above others and this attitude flows through to those in the pews - most who of whom do NOT work 'in ministry' but work and live 'in the world'. A challenge I see is for a shift to occur in understanding the theology of work where all work is valued that involves us as co-creators with the Father - His command from Genesis onwards. Therefore 'missionaries' or fulltime clergy have no greater spiritual value or status than someone who sells shoes in the local shoe shop or someone who cares for their family fulltime. Is that what you hear from your pulpits?

I don't care about my spiritual worth, I care about doing what I'm called to do. Whether it be pooper scooper underground or missionary. I guess it may seem like a greater calling, but I don't think anyone's parading around that they're better than anyone else. Same reward at the end for all who serve.

Dondi said:

How does one know that they are being called by God into the mission field? What are the indicators that is guiding you in that direction?

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Interesting comments and stories here on this thread.

For me it was a combination of God putting the desire in my heart in such an intense way that it was a really memorable day. He used an accident where I about 4 people died on a small highway that I witnessed literally several minutes after it happened. In a matter of a few minutes it was like my heart downloaded this desire to either support or paricipate in actual missionary trips. Around the same time, I was drawn to ministries that I developed a long-lasting concern or burden for and was led to an ethnic church where I now serve. One event or connection after another happened, all with the common theme of global missionary work. I don't know if it's for a season or from now on.

Dondi said:

Thank you all for your wonderful responses.

What do you think the role of a missionary is? What kind of work do you think should be involved? What kind of training should one gain before going into the field?

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I'm still trying to define that. I don't know if we're to simiply blend in or contribute at the cost of some changes. I don't know about situations where there seems to be a reluctance for change... are we to just blend in and keep the status quo... I don't know. Can't go wrong with a humble approach. In regards to training, I think having cultural knowledge and acceptance of the culture you're about to work with is good, as well as scriptural, theological & doctrinal knowledge, wisdom & exposure; and having a covering of prayers.

2writeabout, that's one of the smartest and most astute things I've read in a while, and you raise a critical point. I agree, I feel too many people get caught up in the "hierarchical" aspects of the church-- there are those who do this full-time, sometimes to the point of being "rock stars" or at least respected figures (generally with good reason), but sometimes others doing valuable work, I find, will guilt themselves about supposedly not contributing to the same degree. As you say, all of us contribute to the spread of the Gospel in our own ways.

We all have to live in this world, make a living, hold a job, do various things that, depending on our background, may impede (at least temporarily) our capacity to minister. But we should not sell ourselves short, we all have to contribute in our own ways, to whatever extent we can. In fact, IMHO the best sign of one being "called" is if a person is busy juggling all these things, yet still feels moved to minister.

In line with some other threads here, a number of my own fellow co-congregationalists are now doing ministry in Europe-- spread out in places from Germany (really the center of operations), through Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Austria, even Luxembourg in one case, depending on language and other skills. Most of them had advanced careers before, working as engineers, researchers, businesspeople, in one case an ex-professor, a physician-- yet they've actually moved to the European countries above and are raising their families there. To be sure, there are some potential professional and business opportunities, but the point is, all of them decided to not take the easy road-- they've taken a much more challenging one of living in a different country, speaking a different language, raising their children in a new culture, and striking out, because they decided they wanted to help bring the Gospel to other lands. The urge was so strong for them that they've re-oriented their lives around it-- albeit also trying to adjust as best they can professionally, as well. *That* is an indication of a true calling!