How long after your calling?

[GeraldNC]

I was just wondering if people would share, how long after your calling did you go full time?

The reason I ask is, of course, I've been called by God for full time youth ministry. Was about 3 months ago. I've spoken to my pastors, and many others. Of course, since I haven't had anything come up that I could "move into", I've begun to realize that God is bringing me along slowly. He's using my current youth director I believe to help break me in slowly so to speak. I've just taken over teaching the high school Sunday school, along with Jr. High when the teacher isn't there . In doing this now for about 4-5 weeks, I see my self lacking in a few ways. Honestly, I think I lack mostly in the preparation department, cuz after working all day, I don't go home and prepare my youth lesson. Instead I wait till Friday or Sat nights....though always with prayer, Scripture, and quiet time before hand.

My pastor pretty much said the same thing the other day when we met. For me not to be worried or concerned but to realize this is time in which God is teaching me patience and allowing me time to discern His will. He also encouraged me that there could be a position opening up at my own church one day...which is where my heart is right now. He told me not to feel like I'm losing time, but instead know there is plenty of time and I don't need to rush. He told me that most teachers of the Word get all excited about their calling and wanna go out and jump in to it.

So how long was it before God opened the doors for you?

 

[servant4ever]

Well I felt the call to full time ministry 7 years ago... I still have two more years of seminary before I'm going to be a full time pastor... so it'll be 9 years for me.

 

[Croooz]

Fulltime? Sheesh I'm just looking to start. I was called 19 years ago and start seminary next month. Not sure how much longer after that will I go fulltime. I'm also applying to med school so I'll be a fulltime student or in some level of training for the next 10 years.

 

[GeraldNC]

Wow, both you 2 have been waiting a long time lol. And here I am questioning 3 months lol. (sorry I forgot about this thread )

Today I've been thinking Seminary may be the route I take as well...whether I get a full time position before then or not. I do see there's lots I still need to learn when it comes to theological things.

 

[DaRev]

I "felt the call" about 9 years ago. But after I began the process I could look back on my life and see the Call was there ever since my childhood. I just didn't recognize it.

At the time I only had an AAS degree and needed a Bachelors in order to enter seminary. So I began to work on finishing my degree at the age of 37. A year and a half later I sold my house, packed up my kids and moved to St. Louis to begin working on my MDiv. After 4 years, including a 12 month vicarage (internship) in New Jersey, I graduated and received my first call to be a full-time pastor. I've been a pastor for three years now.

 

[GeraldNC]

Wow thanks for sharing.

 

[liketotalk]

Yes, I too thank you for sharing that.

 

[mrscplus]

DH had is home congregation confirm the call at age 17, began preaching at 19, and was ordained at 27.

I know I was called to do children's work back in my teens, and had tons of people suggest that I follow that route...but I fought it for years, and finally, after that long and helping in many Sunday Schools, I'm doing my true life's calling.

It doesn't always happen overnight, but watch for God to open the doors, and walk through them when He does, and you will find yourself just where you are, when you need to be there.

 

[kelco]

It's really been there all my life now that I look back at it, it just took me a long time to acknowledge that God would call someone like me to the ministry. But now that I'm working toward it, I wish I had answered my call a lot sooner. I will be a pastor this spring, so a year after I acknowledged my call.

 

[GeraldNC]

It doesn't always happen overnight, but watch for God to open the doors, and walk through them when He does, and you will find yourself just where you are, when you need to be there.

That's exactly how I'm approaching it.

I wished I'd have known it was what God was calling me to at 17 lol instead of 33 But nonetheless I will not deny His calling and will work toward it.

 

[SozoMinistry]

When I surrendered to God's call to ministry I had no idea what it would entail. I moved to VA and attended Liberty University I was only there for a year and then God moved me. I became a Bi-Vocational youth minister that year. I ministered at that location for about 2 1/2 years before moving into a full time position. All in all it would take me about 5 years to be moved into a full time ministry. I have been at the same church now for 5 years.

The Lord will lead you to the spot he wants you to be in. If it is Bi-Vo or full time there is a reason we are there. Looking back I am glad that I served for a couple years under a youth minister and then moved to part time. I can now see God's hand in it all I learned a lot in those early years.

 

[TomUK]

I first felt the call when is was 16 but that calling was renewed when i was around 19. I'm currently on the road to selection in the Church of England (though still have a long way to go). If i get selected this year then i'll be ordained when i'm 27 - 11 years after calling God call me to full time ministry.

 

[LogosRhema]

I believe mine's a work in progress, so before I go into full time ministry.. assuming I begin to Pastor at the age of 35.. 20 years?

 

[GeraldNC]

The Lord will lead you to the spot he wants you to be in. If it is Bi-Vo or full time there is a reason we are there. Looking back I am glad that I served for a couple years under a youth minister and then moved to part time. I can now see God's hand in it all I learned a lot in those early years.

Oh yes. I am definitely glad to already have the experience working under another minister. I've still got lots to learn and he's being a great help. I fully see God's hand at work.