The Call to Pastoral Ministry

I. There is a general calling that we all experience from God.

A. We are called: 1. With a Holy Calling (II Tim.

1:9) 2. By Grace (Gal. 1:15) 3. By the Gospel (II Th. 2:14)

B. We are called unto: 1. His Purpose (Rom. 8:28) 2. Liberty (Gal. 5:13) 3. Peace (I Cor. 7:15) 4. Fellowship (I Cor. 1:9) 5. His Kingdom and Glory (I Th.

2:12) 6. Eternal life (I Tim. 6:12) 7. Glory and Virtue (II Pet. 1:3) 8. Blessing (II Peter 3:9)

C. We are called to be: 1. Saints (Rom 1:7; I Cor. 1:2) 2. Sons (I John 3:1) 3. Disciples (Mt. 28:18-20)

II. There is a specific call to a specific ministry or area of service. A. This call is based on specific needs. 1. The condition of the people (Eph. 2:1-3; Mt. 9:36)

2. The extent of the field (Luke 4:42-44; Acts 1:8)

3. The ripeness of the harvest (John 4:35)

4. The urgency of the hour (John 9:4)

B. This call is based on God’s sovereignty. 1. No one volunteers for a particular ministry (John 15:16). 2. God ordains the ministry that we will have (I Cor. 12:18; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:23, 25; I Tim. 1:12). 3. God supplies the grace needed for that ministry (Rom. 12:3; I Pet. 4:10).

4. This call is based on God’s need for a channel (Is. 6:8; Rom. 10:14-15). He needs a channel for:

a. Intercession b. Healing c. Miracle Working d. Showing of Mercy e. Giving f. Comforting

g. Serving h. Governing i. Teaching j. Evangelizing k. Guiding l. Grounding m. Fathering n. Shepherding

C. This call is an individual, personal and specific.

1. The word “call” comes from the Greek word klesis, a forensic term meaning, “to summon to court” with the idea of a call to accountability (I Cor. 9:16). 2. This call can be known (I Tim. 2:7; II Tim. 1:11; Tit. 1:3).

Principle: The specific call of God can only be discovered and realized as one is co-operating with God to fulfill the general call of God.

III. God uses various ways and means to issue this call.

A. By an audible voice 1. Joshua (Josh. 1:1) 2. Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4) 3. Jonah (Jonah 1:1)

B. By Vision1. Isaiah (Is. 6:1-8) 2. Paul (Acts 9:3-7; 26:13-19)

C. By Dream 1. Jacob (Gen. 28:12-13) 2. Joseph (Gen. 37:5f)

D. By a Theophany 1. Abraham (Gen. 2:7) 2. Isaac (Gen. 26:2)

E. By Angelic Visitation 1. Moses (Ex. 3:2) 2. Gideon (Judges 6:11-22) 3. Zacharias (Luke 1:11, 19)

F. By Prophecy and the Laying on of Hands 1. Paul (Acts 9:17; 22:12-16)

2. Timothy (I Tim. 4:14; II Tim. 1:6)

G. By the Inner Conviction and Witness of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:18)

God issues His call through reading the Word of God and meditation upon it. As we meditate upon it, we are consciously and unconsciously being identified with the word, just as the food we eat is being assimilated into our very life…

Thus, our minds and life become saturated and identified with the great purpose of God and shaped and molded in accordance with them. It is, therefore, nothing unusual that someone will know himself called to some service and yet not be able to point to a definite experience or definite scripture passage through which God extended the call to the person.

IV. There will always be a confirmation of our call.

A. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit through the peace of God (Col. 3:15).

B. Leadership over me bears witness (Heb. 13:17).

C. The gifts and graces in my life bear witness (I Tim. 3:2).

D. The people of God bear witness (Acts 6:3).

E. The prophetic ministry and the laying on of hands bear witness (I Tim. 4:14).

F. Circumstances or open and closed doors confirm the call (I Cor. 16:9).

V. How does one get into the pastoral ministry?

A. From a personal point of view.1. Start meeting the needs of the

people.2. Start laying your life down for others.3. Make yourself a ready volunteer for all kinds of tasks.

4. As you are faithful, God will give you opportunities to touch more.

B. From City Life Church leadership point of view.

1. Take advantage of the training programs offered by the church.2. Distinguish yourself as a faithful City Servant.

3. Get involved with the small group ministry of the church.

4. Share your burden with the leadership team.

5. Cooperate with all of the suggestions that are given to you.6. Seek the confirmation of the leadership team regarding the call and the timing.

7. Wait for God to open the right door.