I am in seminary right now and am not sure whether or not I should be here. I felt like God has been calling me to full time ministry when I was in college pursuing a B.S. in Business Mgmt. I wasn't sure what to do about it at that point, so I just continued working and eventually graduated with a B.S. in Business Mgmt (I became active in my church and taught Sunday school for a couple of years. I also started a small group and a corporate prayer group and loved it). I had worked full time while in college, and did not feel like I was where God wanted me. The company I was working for asked me to go overseas on a business trip, and I agreed thinking that it would be a great way to build my porfolio with the company. While overseas though, I felt God was calling me again to pursue ministry. I came back and my wife and I prayed and spoke to my pastor about everything. Long story short, I am now in my first semester of seminary and I am having doubts. Growing up I never had a specific career in mind and genuinely wanted to be working in a position/career where I felt like I was making a difference and really helping people. I always had law enforcement (it may sound crazy) in the back of my mind because it seems like a very service oriented career. I am just having a hard time discerning what God wants me to do now. Part of me thinks that it is satan just trying to discourage me and convince me that I shouldn't be in the "ministry full time" ( I put this in quotations b/c I feel that we are all called to full time ministry as Christians, but I am talking about vocational ministry here). Any thoughts and your prayers would be appreciated.
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Uncertain about my calling!
- Thread starter roaringlions
- Start date
I'll pray for you right now! And my advice for you is to keep praying and follow the narrow road. Let's Jesus guide you through life 
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If God wants you he will bug you about it until you do something. Trust me I know! Check out my post on these very forums.
Satan is going to try and come to you and tell you that you are not cut out or you are making the wrong choice.
Just remember that God will finish what he has started in you. Satan didn't put the desire to minister, God did.
Satan is going to try and come to you and tell you that you are not cut out or you are making the wrong choice.
Just remember that God will finish what he has started in you. Satan didn't put the desire to minister, God did.
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Thanks for the posts. I am worried too because I just found out my wife is pregnant and I am starting to stress about the financial aspect. I am going to keep on praying and stay focused. Thanks again.
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What type of ministry did you feel called to? Pastor, youth, education,missions, etc.? As a wife of 30+ yrs. to a pastor, I know for sure, if the call is genuine, you will be miserable if you do not yield to the call. And , if the call was one made based on an emotional experience and not the "real" thing, you will be miserable. BUT, Satan will certainly use every tool he can to make you think you were mistaken about the call. Do you feel peace & joy as you attend classes and do things ministrywise? I helped my husband through 2 different seminaries while he worked on two different degrees. The finances are always tight during those times - so naturally you as the man/leader will be worried about the new baby and expenses to come. BUT, rest assured, if you are in God's will pursuing a ministry education, He will provide all your needs. I have some great testimonies about God supplying needs ! I will share just one :
The second time we went to seminary I was 12 weeks away from graduating with a B.S. degree in education. That was 2 classes and student teaching and I would be out of there! Then my husband insisted we needed to drop everything, move to another state with no money, no jobs, 2 small children, etc. and let him go to seminary again. I was one unhappy woman I am here to tell you. I had seen him through 2 college degrees and one seminary degree and I was finally about to realize my goal with my degree ....and suddenly I had to give it all up ....again. We had never been in one place too long & I was angry to uproot again. I told him if God was in this, first the money would come for us to move on and second a job would be waiting for us both when we got there. Guess what God did to show my angry stubborn self ? He not only provided the money to move on immediately, when we arrived we were moved in to the apartment "Hawaii" (where we always said we would take our 2nd honeymoon !) and we both had a job by the time the first week started.
I say all this to just point out - you have begun your first semester, so pray and truely be open to the Lord to give you undeniable assurance that you are doing His will. Trust Him to provide for your needs (I know it is easier said than done). Look at where you & your wife find your joy. Is it in doing ministy or do you continue to feel unhappy about it? Ask God to hinder Satan from causing you to doubt, but that if He/God has other plans for you that He will show you that too. If you can't get undeniable peace about it by the end of the semester, perhaps sit out a semester (but that is a lot of time lost if you do go back). It is not a crime if you realize God wants you elsewhere (perhaps a little embarrassing if it was a big public thing when you surrendered, but that too will pass). God can use you in the secular world in so many ways and a semester of seminary will make you a stronger christian. As you fellowship with other students you will also get a sense of "belonging" or not - so to speak. I will pray for you both!
The second time we went to seminary I was 12 weeks away from graduating with a B.S. degree in education. That was 2 classes and student teaching and I would be out of there! Then my husband insisted we needed to drop everything, move to another state with no money, no jobs, 2 small children, etc. and let him go to seminary again. I was one unhappy woman I am here to tell you. I had seen him through 2 college degrees and one seminary degree and I was finally about to realize my goal with my degree ....and suddenly I had to give it all up ....again. We had never been in one place too long & I was angry to uproot again. I told him if God was in this, first the money would come for us to move on and second a job would be waiting for us both when we got there. Guess what God did to show my angry stubborn self ? He not only provided the money to move on immediately, when we arrived we were moved in to the apartment "Hawaii" (where we always said we would take our 2nd honeymoon !) and we both had a job by the time the first week started.
I say all this to just point out - you have begun your first semester, so pray and truely be open to the Lord to give you undeniable assurance that you are doing His will. Trust Him to provide for your needs (I know it is easier said than done). Look at where you & your wife find your joy. Is it in doing ministy or do you continue to feel unhappy about it? Ask God to hinder Satan from causing you to doubt, but that if He/God has other plans for you that He will show you that too. If you can't get undeniable peace about it by the end of the semester, perhaps sit out a semester (but that is a lot of time lost if you do go back). It is not a crime if you realize God wants you elsewhere (perhaps a little embarrassing if it was a big public thing when you surrendered, but that too will pass). God can use you in the secular world in so many ways and a semester of seminary will make you a stronger christian. As you fellowship with other students you will also get a sense of "belonging" or not - so to speak. I will pray for you both!
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foundationguy
Active Member
I agree with the others, you should stay the course for now. I just recently left my corporate job to go into ministry fulltime by moving my family and starting a ministry. We pretty much gave up all security for the "sake of the call" and God has proven himself more faithful than I could ever describe. However, I still have moments of sheer panic and wondering if He really did call me, especially as obstacles occur. Just keep seeking the Lord's face and guidance. If you don't journal, I would recommend you start. At least write down any confirmations you receive from God as to your call, you'll need to go back and review them when it seems you are on the wrong track.
God bless you in your ministry.
God bless you in your ministry.
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roaringlions said:
Maybe you should apply for positions with the police while continuing your studies and see what God does or doesn't throw your way. You being a first semester student with a pregnant wife is no coincidence. Roaringlions God doesn't throw us responsibilities without the means to meet them.
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