The Pastoral Call

Every follower of Christ has a calling. The Apostle Paul explains it as…'to walk worthy of the calling given to each of us by Christ.' (Ephesians 4:1).

Some years ago, I talked with a church board about the individual "calling" of each person around the table. For most of them this concept of a personal call was new. Only the pastor has a calling...the rest of us just work, contribute to the church, volunteer and raise our families! Right? Fortunately, they later left the board meeting with a new appreciation for their own sense of calling and vocation.

I do embrace the need for a specific calling to enter full-time ministry. Without such conviction, ministry can tear you apart. My own sense of pastoral “calling” was a lengthy affair (at least it seemed so to me). Originally I wanted a career in radio/television media; not so much a “calling” but a decided passion and vocation. However, God had different plans for me.

My sense of pastoral calling began while I played church with my older sister as children in the little living room of the apartment where we grew up. God’s sense of calling began as we sang songs and lined up the teddy bears as congregants. Later, through counsel of others and a nudging from the Holy Spirit, the calling process matured. I deeply appreciate board members, congregants and other pastors who gave me feedback through the years.

My wife and daughters kept me faithful to this sense of conviction. As a result, God has blessed me over the years with the privilege of serving as pastor, professor and chaplain in many settings.

Each congregant and church staff person has a unique sense of calling to ministry. For many their ministry is lived out among their family, coworkers and neighbors. Local church congregants have their own unique God given sphere of influence just like board members who were affirmed by their pastor. However, each church also needs to discern those who have a calling to a full-time vocational ministry within the body of Christ.

Some years ago, the seminary where I served began a bi-annual event when young adults, chosen by their church, were invited to a weekend where seasoned leaders encouraged them to consider a career in local church or global service. Many young adults took that opportunity to consider this specific calling in their life.

My advice to pastors:

Most ministry is learned in local church trenches. “They never taught me this in seminary”, is an oft repeated truth. However, this axiom should not be construed as a criticism of seminary education but rather the reality that much learning takes place on the job! Learn to reflect upon your experiences- candidly.

Surround yourself with 3-5 wise people who will give input and feedback. They can come from within the congregation or elsewhere... ideally, both! Learn from the “masters” whoever they are in your circle.

With input from your spouse develop practices that help you to live with the healthy tension between ministry and family. The tension will always be there but your spouse and close friends can help you to navigate those waters well.

Stay close to the Lord. Bible study and sermon preparation remain your work, but spiritual disciplines stand apart from these tasks. Pursue good spiritual disciplines with diligence.

Read…lots! Leaders are readers. I confess that in my early years, I found reading a hard discipline. Perhaps it was the busyness of life and ministry. But whatever the excuse, I needed to embrace reading as essential to my life and work.

Learn to laugh at yourself! You will make mistakes. I now wince at some of the decisions I made and the actions I took, but God’s grace covers them too.

Play well on the team! Church work has little place for Lone Ranger types.