How do you feel about the "call" and the results?

I think sometimes we overestimate the value of a crisis experience in the call. I remember the night I finally surrendered to do whatever God wanted. I becames a Bible major in college as a result of that. It was after my senior year before I was willing to say I was "called to preach" (to use the vernacular). For me, it was just a passion that grew over time. I love it more now than I did a year ago or five years ago when I started my senior pastorate. Certainly, on any given day there are moments I would love to be punching rivets on an assembly line or selling widgets to someone. But I would exchange this life for it in a heartbeat. Ministry is tough ... it is truly a 24/7 job ... and I carry it all the time. This past weekend, I took 5 days off (from Thursday to Monday). I had to literally force myself not to think about church and ministry. I needed the break from it. My mind is constantly going, but I think that is a result of the passion in me for it.

Someone once said, "If you can do anything besides pastor, then do it." I don't think that was about ability but passion. If your passion will allow something else and you be happy, maybe you should consider it.

Interesting poll ...

 

I will admit to the I thought it was a mistake and the only one who tried to keep it under my hat. I did not want to be called. I did not feel qualified and if I told someone else, they would have thought I was nuts or a liar, is how i figured it.

However, God would not let me have peace in resisting His call. Of course, He has made the change in my life and my heart that was needed to prepare me to prepare for His ministry.

If you are wrestling with God over a call, surrender. Get on His bus, sit down, do as He tells you and enjoy the ride. It is scary and exciting, but never ever dull.

 

The poll didn't have "Run as far and fast as I could" as an option...but I struggled through it anyway.

Great poll, I might add.

Many people around me knew of my calling before I did. Oh, I knew God wanted something, but I was dead-set that it wasn't being in ministry. So much for what I know...

In Christ,
Trotter

 

Some years ago I was encouraged to pastor. I did and found out that it took a lot of time away from my real passion of making disciples. It involved many more things than my passion.

So I quit pastoring and love what I do now--making disciples. I have more time to be with the people helping them personally. I think the comments I hear verify that too. In making disciples I don't have to deal much with the troublemakers and thiose who are not serious about walking with God. I deal mostly with those who are eager to grow.

I have the time to teach them the basics of the Christian life and to dig into more of the details of the Bible one on one. Usually for two years I meet with the same group. It is a chance to teach them how to share their faith, how to interpret scripture, teaching the hsitorical background of scripture and memorizing scripture. Each week they are to come with their lesson done. The fellowship and commitment is extremely rewarding to me and my wife. I never tire of watching people grow and begin to share their faith and then eventually help others ot grow in the same way.

I was told that I was a good pastor but inside was that longing to reach more people in a deeper way. I wanted to see every person know the Bible and to share their faith. I believe it happens when we pour our lives into others. If there is ever a time in America when we have a crisis it will be those who can disciple others underground who will still have a ministry.

One of the men who met with me when I was a new believer went to Ethiopia for 26 years. He was there one year before communism and after it was over. During communism it was illegal to share your faith. You could only meet with a cetrtain number of unrelated people in a home. But out of that time came many who came to Christ and are discipling others today. Some of those people have been to seminary now and are pastoring chruches.

The people I disciple become some of my closest friends over the years.

 

Excellent poll!

My Dad is a retired pastor as was my Grandfather. My great uncle was a theology professor at Southern Seminary for many years and I also have a cousin who currently pastors. Ministry is in our family which is why I didn't make my call a big issue. We have some in our family who got the "preachin' bug" but weren't necessarily called into vocational or bivo ministry. I didn't want to be viewed as simply fulfilling expectations.

Actually, my Dad never really encouraged any of us to go into ministry(two brothers & a sister). He always said, "If you go into church work, you'd better be SURE." He didn't exactly discourage us either; he just didn't want any of us to go through some of the things he endured in ministry. Most of you know the pitfalls out there.

Watching Dad since I was a kid has helped a tremendous amount. It has taught me what to do and also what not to do in many situations. I never ran from what God called me to do; I just quietly went about seeking opportunities to serve.

So far, I've loved almost all of it. Sure there are frustrations out there, but discouragement hasn't set in. God put me in a solid church where the people are serious about reaching their community for the most part. We're not without our challenges but God is doing a work here without a doubt and I'm excited to be a part of it!


Mike

 

I love the fact that those called, seem to have experienced similar feelings and emotions. The quote about "if you could do anything else than pastor then do it" hits the nail on the head. My passion for my calling blows everything else out of the water.