The Call to Preach

I suppose someone can have a "temporary" calling. The call, which is internal and external, can have temporary times externally. I am trying to think of an OT prophet or a NT apostle who was temporary. Maybe that's your answer.

 

I believe it is a life long calling. God might move you around from being a pastor to an evangelist to a Sunday School superintendent to prison, truck, construction, teachers, etc. ministries.

 

I would agree. At times God may put you in situations where you are not "preaching" in a pulpit ministry. He may want you to "preach" while working in what we call a secular job.

When I came out of seminary God had me working two (secular) jobs while I was seeking a "full time" church ministry. The ministry I had among my fellow workers was priceless. Later God placed me in a church setting as Pastor. So to answer your question, yes, it is a lifetime (life style) call. :thumbsup:

 

It can be life-long or temporary.

 

What do you mean by a call to preach? Do you mean the call to pastor a church? or the call to preach (exposit) God's Word? I'm not trying to side step the question, but sometimes the idea of being called to preach and called to pastor are used interchangeably (and wrongly).

 

All believers are called to preach the Gospel, but not all are called to be pastors. The call to stop preaching ends 6 feet under ground

 

So what do you mean? If it's a call to tell people about Jesus, then it's life time.

Besides, I don't see in Scripture a "call" to preach. Just wondering what you mean?

 

Yes, but since fellowship would be broken he would not have the desire. That being the case, he would be disobedient in fulfilling the Great Commission...another sin...and the snowball downward continues...

 

Why do you say that?

 

It didn't for me when I was in that state for many years. If there is improper motives behind it, for example a paid pastor... where that being his sole income, he might still "desire" to preach the Gospel, but it wouldn't be from God nor a true godly desire, the desire would be money.

 

"In a general sense, all of God's children are called to tell people about Jesus, but not every Christian is necessarily called to preach as you have defined it."

 

All are called to serve. Those who qualify may serve in the offices of deacon and bishop if they so desire. Though no doubt God is the One who gives the church her pastors and teachers, I do not see a call to a specific office anywhere in the Scriptures.

 

I always liked what Warren Wiersbe had to say on this subject. He quoted Jesus when He stated that "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." God may call you to different aspects of the call (evangelist/Associate Pastor/etc.), but if He has called you, it is not for a season. As Wiersbe pointed out...find a single example in the Scriptures of a prophet/ apostle/ etc. who was called by GOd and retired.