Discerning if one is called to preach is an important matter that requires prayerful consideration and seeking guidance from God’s Word. Here are some biblical principles to keep in mind when evaluating if you may be called to vocational ministry as a preacher or pastor:
Confirmation from the Church
The testimony and affirmation of other believers is an important factor when considering a call to preach. Wise and spiritually mature Christians can help confirm or challenge our own sense of calling. Paul says “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14). The leadership of the local church plays a role through ordination and commissioning.
Inward Conviction
An inward sense of the Holy Spirit’s leading and the burden to preach the gospel is another sign of a divine call. Paul describes his calling and compulsion to preach due to Christ’s commission: “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). This inner conviction and compulsion confirms a calling to ministry.
Character Qualifications
Those called to be pastors must exhibit godly character as outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The qualifications include being above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. Meeting the biblical character qualifications confirms suitability for ministry.
Gifting
Along with character, God gifts those He calls to preach and teach with abilities essential for ministry. These gifts include the ability to communicate biblical truth clearly, teach sound doctrine, exhort and admonish, lead and manage God’s people. Ephesians 4:11 states that Christ gives some to be pastors and teachers to equip the saints for ministry. If one exhibits these pastoral gifts, it may affirm a call.
Desire
1 Timothy 3 states that “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” Having a godly, sincere desire to preach and shepherd a congregation suggests the Spirit’s leading. That desire should be coupled with humility and willingness to be taught by other leaders. But the aspiration and will to serve in full-time ministry can confirm a call to preach.
Fruitfulness
Opportunities to preach and teach that bear spiritual fruit also give evidence of a calling. This fruit may include people expressing how the teaching edified and convicted them, a hunger for God’s Word, conversions, and a general sense that the ministry is empowered by the Spirit. As one is faithful over smaller opportunities, God often provides greater ones if He is calling that person to preach vocationally.
In summary, biblical signs that together confirm a call to the preaching ministry include affirmation from spiritual leadership, inward conviction, godly character, possession of pastoral gifts, sincere desire to shepherd God’s people, and fruitfulness in initial opportunities to teach and preach the Word. With patience and persistence, those whom God calls and gifts for ministry will see His affirming hand of providence opening doors in due time.
Developing the Calling
If one exhibits initial evidence of a call but lacks some qualifications, how should they proceed? Those who feel called to preach should take steps to develop and confirm their calling over time as they walk with Christ.
Study God’s Word
Diligently study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15) and pursue sound theology to become equipped to accurately handle the word of truth. Sound preaching requires understanding biblical truth. So apply yourself to know the full counsel of God through diligent and thoughtful Bible reading, study, and preparation.
Seek Training and Education
While God can call anyone to ministry, appropriate biblical and theological training is invaluable. Look for opportunities to learn through discipleship, classes, seminary, mentoring by other pastors, studying historic teachers, reading Christian books, listening to sermons, and more. Training protects against teaching error and prepares to serve at a high level.
Serve in the Local Church
Develop ministry experience by serving in your local congregation. Offer to teach, lead Bible studies, disciple others, participate in evangelism, assist ministries, and humbly contribute wherever needed. Gaining experience and proving yourself trustworthy opens doors to preach. And the feedback and mentoring received within the church can be invaluable.
Consider Bi-vocational Ministry
Those called later in life or without the means to attend Bible college or seminary full-time can serve bi-vocationally to gain experience and confirm their gifts. Pursue education while working a job or profession, and make yourself available to teach and minister in your church and community. Many faithful pastors and preachers begin their work bi-vocationally.
Preach When Given Opportunities
Make yourself available to preach, teach, and minister the gospel as opportunities arise within your church context and community. Whether it’s preaching, street evangelism, teaching a Bible study, or discipleship, faithful stewardship of smaller opportunities often leads to more. Gain experience and determine the effectiveness of your service as you make the most of opportunities.
Exhibit Godly Character
Prayerfully examine your life and seek to exemplify the godly character required of ministers. Cultivate the Christlike qualities described in passages like 1 Timothy 3 not because you have achieved perfection, but as evidence of the Spirit’s ongoing sanctifying work to make you fit for ministry. Character confirms calling.
Get Feedback and Mentoring
Humbly seek the counsel and constructive feedback of mature spiritual leaders within your church regarding your gifts, abilities, and call to ministry. Allow faithful pastors and teachers to observe how you serve and look for opportunities to be mentored. Submission to authority and humbly receiving wisdom from seasoned ministers leads to growth.
Wait on God’s Timing
While making the most of opportunities and developing your gifts, wait on the Lord’s timing to open doors as you persistently pray and prepare yourself for greater ministry. God often uses the waiting and preparation season to mold character. Trust that if He has called you to this work, He will faithfully confirm and open the right doors at the appointed time.
In conclusion, if you believe God may be calling you to preach, pursue growth and development through prayerful study, education, service, faithfulness in small opportunities, and mentorship. As you seek to confirm your calling, the Lord will use this season to prepare you for fruitful ministry when the time is right.
Cautions Regarding Calling
In evaluating a sense of calling, we must exercise wisdom and humility. Here are some potential pitfalls to avoid:
Pride or Ego
Since ministry involves leadership and influence, some may pursue it from prideful motives rather than a true calling. The desire to preach must come from sincere humility and dependence on God, not personal ego. We must crucify self-serving motives (Galatians 2:20).
Impatience
God’s timing is not ours. Avoid impatience by waiting on the Lord to open doors and confirm calling in His timing. Those truly called endure the crucible of waiting and preparation as God molds them for the task.
Lack of Fruitfulness
If after reasonable opportunities, there is little evidence of the Word taught bearing fruit, one may lack calling and gifting for preaching. This fruitlessness should lead to self-examination and exploring other ways to serve Christ’s body.
Neglecting Counsel
Since others often discern our giftedness and calling more accurately than we can, prayerfully consider wise counsel. If spiritual leaders uniformly challenge your sense of calling, this may signal need for reevaluation.
Bad Motives
Why do you feel called? Is it to sincerely serve God and feed His sheep or selfish ambitions? Examine your heart for purity of motives and willingness to sacrifice self-interest to obey and glorify Christ.
Unmet Qualifications
Do you currently exhibit the Bible’s mandated character qualifications, abilities, and gifts? Prayerfully seek the Spirit’s help to grow in areas where you may not yet meet the biblical standards – don’t rationalize disobedience or gifting you don’t possess.
In summary, approach ministry aspirations with humility, self-examination, patience, and wisdom. Confirmation of a call comes over time. Trust God to clearly direct and open doors in His perfect way and timing if He is indeed calling you to preach.
Responding to the Call
What should one do when they are confident God is calling them to preach and pastor? Here are some suggested steps to respond rightly:
Confirm the Calling with Wise Counsel
Before taking significant action, humbly seek the perspective of mature believers, pastors, and church leaders who know you well. Share your sense of calling and ask for their wisdom in assessing your gifts, character, and readiness for vocational ministry based on the biblical qualifications.
Commit to Preparation
Dedicate yourself to prayerful study and equipping for ministry. This includes thoughtful Bible reading, pursuing theological education, reading edifying books, and making the most of opportunities to learn from other ministers. Be a lifelong learner, always growing in understanding of God’s Word and gaining wisdom for ministry.
Make Your Calling Known
Share your sense of calling with your local church and spiritual leaders over you. Seek their affirmation while also humbly submitting to their guidance regarding how to further prepare yourself and serve faithfully where you are. Make your calling known so others can help assess and guide you.
Gain Ministry Experience
Under the mentorship of your pastors, pursue opportunities to develop ministerial experience through teaching, discipleship, evangelism, counseling, and other service within your local church. Allow your gifts to be tested and refined through practical ministry.
Join the Harvest
While awaiting and preparing for greater opportunities, join Jesus in His harvest work now, wherever He leads. Share the gospel, make disciples, minister to the needy, teach children, serve your church, and faithfully shepherd the souls in your realm of influence as you develop your calling.
Seek Ordination
At an appropriate time and after gaining experience, pursue official ordination by your denomination and/or local church. Ordination provides confirmation of others affirming your calling and readiness for vocational ministry.
Consider Ministry Roles
Prayerfully consider next steps like seminary, serving on church staff in a limited capacity, pursuing chaplaincy, or a bi-vocational pastorate. As you serve faithfully in smaller roles, God often expands your opportunities and influence in due time if He has indeed called you to preach.
In summary, take prayerful and prudent steps to confirm your calling, gain necessary preparation and experience, and make yourself available as the Lord leads to open ministry doors. Trust the sovereign Lord to direct and provide as He sees fit if you are committed to obeying Christ’s call.
Trusting God’s Guidance
The process of discerning a call to preach demands patience, wisdom and dependence on God. What attitudes bring health during times of seeking guidance?
Humility
Recognize that only God can truly call and equip you for ministry. Come to Him with a humble willingness to submit to His will over your own ambitions.
Teachability
Maintain a teachable spirit. Listen to the counsel of others and accept critique and mentoring to spur growth. Remain open to instruction that may correct you.
Courage
It requires courage to put yourself forward for ministry. But labor to boldly follow God’s leading trusting His provision more than human approval.
Patience
Wait on the Lord’s timing which is often different than ours. His plans will come to pass if we are faithful while awaiting His direction.
Persistence
Keep taking steps to learn, grow and serve by faith. Persist through uncertainty and trials as God guides you to His intended purpose.
Discernment
Seek to truly perceive God’s Spirit and distinguish his guidance from the voice of self. Embrace correction that challenges faulty thinking.
Wisdom
Commit to gaining biblical wisdom and understanding through study and counsel. Wisdom applies knowledge rightly and informs good decisions.
Cultivating these attitudes helps ensure we respond to God’s call with maturity, humility and faithfulness. His sovereign orchestration brings clarity when the time is right.
Conclusion
Discerning a call to vocational ministry as a preacher requires prayerful examination and seeking the Spirit’s confirmation. Signs of calling include affirmation from the church, inward conviction, possession of requisite character and gifts, fruitfulness in teaching opportunities, and a sincere aspiration to serve. Take steps to confirm a sense of calling over time through biblical study, education, spiritual growth and serving faithfully where able. While awaiting clarity and God’s timing, persist in humility, faith and obedience. In due time, the Lord will confirm and open doors to fulfill His purpose if He is indeed calling you to this noble task of preaching the gospel.
