Am I Called to be a Pastor?

Who is called to be an ordained pastor?

God calls men to the pastorate. He only offers church authority to men (based on the biblical principle of creation order found in 1 Tim 2:11-13). The context of Paul’s imperative that women keep silent in church doesn’t mean they are seen but not heard. It refers specifically to the authoritative preaching of the Word. That is, being a prophet: minister of the Word (1 Cor 14:34, 36-37). That being said, we often ignored that 99.9% of men are also not called to be a pastor. The ministerial calling refers to a small sliver of individuals.

What determines a divine calling to become a pastor?

It’s important to know what a call to the ministry is. Don’t confuse calling with gifting. A gifted leader, speaker, or scholar, whether a man or woman is not necessarily called into pastoral ministry. Only Scripture, as God’s voice, determines the boundaries, expectations, and requirements for vocational pastoral ministry.

To being with, there are two types of ministry callings: general and specific. The first type is a general calling to serve the purposes of God. Every man, woman, and child of the covenant has a calling. God calls them to know him, serve his people, and to share their faith. Some are called to serve in specific ways including: teachers, directors, in other various leadership roles, and in support of ministries from greeters to cooks to technicians. Every member is called to serve in a ministry.

The second type of calling is for a specific task within the Church. A few are called to serve as officers of the Church, which include: Elders and Deacons. Pastors are officers who bring God’s Word to the Church.

A full-time gospel ministry calling (ordination) has a subjective or internal element that is difficult to define. Yet, objective confirmations and encouragement from other mature believers help identify a ministerial call. It is imperative and instructive to pastors and church members to understand what biblical pastoral expectations are.

Scripture doesn’t clearly define the pastoral call

Moses is a good example of God calling a man to be his spokesperson. But burning bush callings are rare (Ex 3:4). Isaiah’s prophetic ministry came through a vision that exposed his unclean lips (Isa 6:4-5). Paul’s direct visit from the risen Christ directed him into ministry (Ac 9:4-6). These divine calls have elements that help us understand the divine nature of a pastoral call. But they are more illustrative than instructive. Today, common circumstances and life experiences reveal a call to the ministry. And it is based on factual qualifications and evidences.

To identify and confirm a call to vocational pastoral ministry a list of objective elements can help confirm God’s special pastoral call. The first four elements in the list are true for all believers in Christ. The next eleven items separate the general elements from the specific ones and relate specifically to a pastoral call. A pastor must fulfill all fifteen elements.

General elements of any ministry call

1. The call to faith in the risen Christ as Lord over all aspects of one’s life. A genuine conversion and regular maturing of one’s faith confirms a call to ministry.
2. The call to mature faith in the person and work of Christ to the point of having substance and experiences that help to understand the process of discipling others into faith in Christ.
3. The call to self-discipline in valuing and practicing prayer, and in spending time reading and studying God’s Word.
4. The call to effectively share the gospel and its effects upon one’s life that encourages believers to grow in their faith and for unbelievers to desire to know God personally.

Pastoral elements of a ministry call

1. The call to understand and contribute to the spiritual birthing and maturing work of the Spirit on his life and the lives of others.
2. The call to faithfully and consistently pray and visit God’s people and engage his community’s needs.
3. The call to clearly and deeply understand and teach biblical doctrines through formal study.
4. The call to preach in applicable ways so others clearly and deeply understand and obey God’s Word.
5. The call and practice of a godly servant lifestyle proven through faithfulness over time and during difficult circumstances.
6. The call to sacrifice self, comfort, and worldly pleasures for the glory of Jesus.
7. The call to edify the church and equip members for personal and corporate ministry.
8. The call to develop a confident personal and winsome faith through trials and persecution.
9. The call to serve the needs of others inside and outside the Church at one’s expense.
10. The call to proclaim God’s Word and distribute the Sacraments as God’s herald and servant.
11. The call to live holy and honorable in both public and private life.

Six important gifts/ talents for a pastor

In addition to these elements of a ministerial calling, additional gifts are important in becoming effective in the divine call to pastor. Before we consider gifting, it is important to stress that the future pastor has not necessarily mastered these gifts but he is growing in their development. They are:

1. An intellectual capacity to fulfill the course requirements of an accredited seminary.
2. An ability to live a self-disciplined moral life that includes: self-motivation, self-direction, and a secure personality grounded in his identity in Christ.
3. An ability to communicate and teach clearly, effectively, with purpose and goals, to the congregation.
4. An ability to understand and judge fairly as he applies seasoned biblical wisdom to others and their problems.
5. An attitude of submission and obedience to the will of Jesus as his Lord. This includes: humility, a teachable spirit, team cooperation, willing to accept correction, can endure hardships and criticism without defensiveness, not given to acquiring power and wealth, a concern for the poor and needy, and grace when falsely accused or attacked.
6. An ability to lead and cast a corporate vision of ministry to the church.

While serving in the pastoral office, his calling will encounter waves of doubts and assurance. He will have great victories in Christ and temptations and failures as he wars against the devil. God’s Spirit and his faithfulness to the call will keep him moving forward in his service to Christ. Christ said his burden is light (Mt 11:28-30) and that includes serving in pastoral ministry. It is a most challenging and satisfying career.

Desires to be a pastor isn’t enough

Interests that are legitimate in themselves can present themselves as evidence of a call to pastor. But in reality they refer to a calling outside of pastoral ministry (counseling, para-church, etc.). Below is a list of motivations that relate to pastoring. However, they are insufficient reasons in and of themselves for entering pastoral ministry.

1. A desire to become a speaker and the ability to captures the attention of an audience.
2. A desire to be perceived as virtuous or good.
3. A desire to take advantage of ministry benefits such as control over one’s time schedule, tax advantages, or housing arrangements.
4. A desire to have access to and hear other’s confessions; especially from women.
5. A desire to exit an undesirable job for a prestigious one like a pastor recognized as a spiritual or community leader.

When a man is entertaining a vocational ministry, he should seriously examine his heart in regards to elements, talents, and desires related to pastoring. Church leadership, when seeking a pastor can use these lists to develop questions to ask during pastoral candidacy. The Holy Spirit and God’s word will guide churches (see the books of Timothy and Titus) in identifying qualified candidates for the pastorate.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Much of this article is based on the article by Joel Nederhood on The Minister’s Call found in “The Preacher and Preaching”. Edited by Samuel Logan, Jr. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian And Reformed. 1986 (p 33-61).

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Pictures: Cover slide from Freepik. Wrist band photo by Outcast India on Unsplash. Pastor on the field photo by Ben White on Unsplash. Pastor’s Bible photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash.