Question about being Called into the ministry (Full Version)

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AboundinginHisGrace -> Question about being Called into the ministry (7/17/2008 11:41:55 PM)

Ok, I have a question. First off I want to point out that I know I am a Christian. I know that to become a Christian it takes Faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross and nothing we can do can merit salvation. I think God is calling me into the ministry, but I want to be sure. First off, I am not a good speaker, but when I read my bible sermons come to mind. I even write sermons. I study God's word daily, I just can't seem to get enough of it. It is all I want to do. I only seem to be at peace when I am doing some type of ministry. I know that I am a Christian and I love the Lord with all my heart. I share Jesus as much as I can. I go out on Monday nights with a few people from our church and we go door to door and share Faith and invite people to church. Even though, I do all these things, something just seems to be missing. (Please do not think that I am boasting) I just can't seem to relax in my salvation. I have prayed for God to reveal any unconfessed sin in my life. I don't think that is it. I have really evaluated my life. When I think about preaching I get mixed emotions, First off I get scared to death lol, but I also visualize myself doing it quite frequently. I just do not want to do something that God is not calling me to do. Currently I am a school teacher, but sometimes it is hard for me to get excited about it, because I want to teach the bible :). Just pray for me that if God is calling me to preach that it will be clear and I will have the courage to do it.



Purposeful_Life -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/18/2008 8:36:16 AM)

One good way to check out a calling is to start doing it and observe what happens. So, if you were in my church, I would encourage you to preach. Start off in your local church, or in an aged care home, or anywhere you could.

See the fruit, explore the experience and evaluate honestly.

Ask your church leader where there are opportunities.



DaveW -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/18/2008 12:56:25 PM)

Public speaking can be a scarey thing for some people. God sometimes calls them to speak to thousands.

My point? You can learn to get past being scared. It just takes practice. If you feel that call, and others around you also sense that it is God, then start preparing your self.



evryknee -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/18/2008 12:59:12 PM)

quote:

I only seem to be at peace when I am doing some type of ministry.


I've sked this question myself, and the repy I got the most was do you feel at peace when serving or ministering. You may have already answered that question...Now, to get rid o fthose fears...



AboundinginHisGrace -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/18/2008 11:38:13 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

Public speaking can be a scarey thing for some people. God sometimes calls them to speak to thousands.

My point? You can learn to get past being scared. It just takes practice. If you feel that call, and others around you also sense that it is God, then start preparing your self.


I have actually had multiple come up to me lately and ask me when I was going to surrender to the ministry. It is just hard, I just don't feel I know enough or am good enough.



Little_1 -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/19/2008 10:16:13 AM)

You highlight "FAITH" in your original post and also that you, "do not feel relaxed in your salvation" and as I was reading your post, I thought of the following text:

James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

It is possible to have good works without faith in God but a Christian cannot have faith and not have good works accompany his/her faith in God or else our Christian lives are going to be 'out of balance' according to the above text. This could be the reason why so many Christians are not content and fulfilled in their lives or ministries. Could it be that Christians are ALL called to some kind of 'works' for the Lord and we have not been listening / or perhaps we don't want to be put out if such works include anything less than what 'we' want to do?

Faith includes day-to-day practicalities regarding helping anyone we come into contact with in our day-to-day life. Such works include loving the unlovely; reaching out to those no-one else wants to reach out to; serving others whether by menial tasks or more pleasant tasks; putting others welfare before our own, etc.

I don't know if this is the case with you, but perhaps this may explain why you cannot relax in your salvation? Perhaps you need to explore ways in which you could show good works to someone/or others who could benefit from a little human kindness and then you could have openings to share the Gospel as a result of such? There are loads of ministries who reach out to individuals in practical ways and gain opportunities to share the Gospel message by doing so.

Perhaps you already do such and this feeling of not being able to relax in your salvation may be God unsettling you to stir you up for something He wants you to do, e.g. preach (as you also mention in your OP).

These are just a few thoughts which may or may not help. I really hope the Lord reveals His will to you so that there is no doubt what He wants you to do.


Little_1



rcjames -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/19/2008 12:05:14 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: AboundinginHisGrace
I have actually had multiple come up to me lately and ask me when I was going to surrender to the ministry. It is just hard, I just don't feel I know enough or am good enough.


AboundinginHisGrace, if you are truly called of God to minister, you will know it. As far as being good enough, you probalby are not, but by the grace of God, if it is His will; it will be fine.

Moses complained because he had a speech inpedement, and Paul put it this way;

(1Co 2:3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

(1Co 2:4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Please not it is the demonstration of the Spirit and of power that does it; the Word of God being spoken by mere men is what does it.

Paul also says:

(1Co 1:17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

(1Co 1:18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

(1Co 1:19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

(1Co 1:20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Now concerning being nervous about speaking to a group of folks, it might pass and it might not. I have preached over 7500 semons in my 45 years of ministry and whether I am preaching to over 100,000 (which I have) or to 20 folks (which I do frequently) I still feel butterflies in the pit of my stomach and feel unworthy to put forth the Word of our God.

Study the Word (4,5,6 hours a day) and pray much in preparation and the Holy Ghost will take care of the preaching.

My great grandfather (an SBC pastor for over 60 years) gave me some good advice when I was a young man.

He said to study the word hard, often, and completely prepare for a sermon just like there was no Holy Ghost, and then stand up and preach with the Holy Ghost just like you had never studied at all.

Works for me.


Thanks
RC



AboundinginHisGrace -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/19/2008 2:04:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Little_1

You highlight "FAITH" in your original post and also that you, "do not feel relaxed in your salvation" and as I was reading your post, I thought of the following text:

James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

It is possible to have good works without faith in God but a Christian cannot have faith and not have good works accompany his/her faith in God or else our Christian lives are going to be 'out of balance' according to the above text. This could be the reason why so many Christians are not content and fulfilled in their lives or ministries. Could it be that Christians are ALL called to some kind of 'works' for the Lord and we have not been listening / or perhaps we don't want to be put out if such works include anything less than what 'we' want to do?

Faith includes day-to-day practicalities regarding helping anyone we come into contact with in our day-to-day life. Such works include loving the unlovely; reaching out to those no-one else wants to reach out to; serving others whether by menial tasks or more pleasant tasks; putting others welfare before our own, etc.

I don't know if this is the case with you, but perhaps this may explain why you cannot relax in your salvation? Perhaps you need to explore ways in which you could show good works to someone/or others who could benefit from a little human kindness and then you could have openings to share the Gospel as a result of such? There are loads of ministries who reach out to individuals in practical ways and gain opportunities to share the Gospel message by doing so.

Perhaps you already do such and this feeling of not being able to relax in your salvation may be God unsettling you to stir you up for something He wants you to do, e.g. preach (as you also mention in your OP).

These are just a few thoughts which may or may not help. I really hope the Lord reveals His will to you so that there is no doubt what He wants you to do.


Little_1


Ok I am not trying to be boastful at all, but I do share the Gospel whenever possible. I do my best be the Christian God wants me to be, but there just seems to be something not right. I know I am a Christian, but it is very similar to that feeling of conviction before I became a Christian, I just can't seem to get settled. I hope you understand what I am saying.



Little_1 -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/20/2008 12:15:09 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: AboundinginHisGrace

Ok I am not trying to be boastful at all, but I do share the Gospel whenever possible. I do my best be the Christian God wants me to be, but there just seems to be something not right. I know I am a Christian, but it is very similar to that feeling of conviction before I became a Christian, I just can't seem to get settled. I hope you understand what I am saying.



It may very well be that the Lord may be calling you to be a minister / pastor / missionary as seems to be your conviction and this is why you are restless. If this is the case, you will continue to be restless in your spirit until you take steps to move in the direction of this calling. Many Pastors /ministers/missionaries testify that the Lord called them to the ministry and confirmed His call to them in the following ways (usually all 3 lined up):

- His Word
- His people (i.e. discerning Christians)
- Circumstances

Keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Little_1



ChristianCommando -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/21/2008 12:31:33 AM)

aboundinginHisGrace-

God started me out in leading Bible studies, Bible classes, then shut-in ministries (Nursing homes, inhome Care Centers, plus more, sharing messages (sermons if you will). thru my old Home churches, I was eventually asked to preach at other ones when heard of the Ministry God put me in, tho I'd never preached in any of my Old Home churches.

since God developes sermons in your mind off and on as He leads you thru this prompting, you are called to preach. But, what you need to do, is be in prayer to find out how you are called to Minister.

Give yourselve a chance to speak to smaller groups, like some men's groups, couples groups, youth, children. You might request the chance to share a message first before your church on your Sabbath observed.

The Lord, when He started me in Ministry nearly 30 years ago, He started me ministering to single people and couples, youth and children, as He opened the oportunities. Before long, I could speak with smaller groups, then into larger ones from bible studies and Classes with 8-20 people. This went on for a short time, till i was quite comfortable. Then He lead me to smaller churches to share messages- (Sermons).

Before long, it was easy to speak in front of a couple 100 people no problem. I'm Evangelistic, so its easy to fit into most any situation when God calls, as He provides everything I need.

God Bless!!



BibleL7 -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/22/2008 1:54:41 AM)

AboundingInHisGrace

Surrender to it them. Dont worry about not being able to speak well or anything. As it is clear in your posts that the Lord is calling you to preach then get in touch with your pastor and talk with him on what opportunities are available and about being licensed. Never worry about being able to preach, just as God told Moses, "Was it not I that made your mouth". I was asked to give a testimony one time which lead to preaching once a month at a homeless shelter. I have severe anxiety, I have definite problems talking to 2 or 3 people I have a hard time uttering a word at times. But when I was in front of over 80 people I had not met any of them when it was time to preach the sermon, I preached it and for over 45 minutes for I was required to fill the hour. The secret is just a short prayer before saying Lord Help. I say it every time I get up to sing or preach. Dont worry about it getting easier or less stressful or even if you stutter to loose the stutter just pray and preach. Preach His word not yours and He will get you through. I still can barely talk in groups but with all the fear in me when I am called to preach He gets me through. I was told that practice makes it easier and I have not found that to be true at all. So do your studies and write your sermons and meditate on the Word, then be ready to preach when called. Remember pray for help then preach never preach without prayer for help and strength.



jn1010lf -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/22/2008 4:27:08 PM)

Hello AboundinginHisGrace

You certainly have confusing messages running around in your head. Are you sure that there isn't something more that the Lord has for you in the way of a closer relationship with Him? Did you know that there is another level of spiritual revelation beyond salvation?

What do you think of signs and wonders followin you? Are they for today?

I ask this because signs and wonders are needed in or day and time. They indicate that the power of God is with you.

Is Pentecost for today, or was that just some history never to be repeated?

I ask these questions because I've seen many people get closer to God once they grow beyond salvation. If you are going to preach, by all means, include the entire gospel not just that of John the Baptist.



AboundinginHisGrace -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/22/2008 10:12:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: jn1010lf

Hello AboundinginHisGrace

You certainly have confusing messages running around in your head. Are you sure that there isn't something more that the Lord has for you in the way of a closer relationship with Him? Did you know that there is another level of spiritual revelation beyond salvation?

What do you think of signs and wonders followin you? Are they for today?

I ask this because signs and wonders are needed in or day and time. They indicate that the power of God is with you.

Is Pentecost for today, or was that just some history never to be repeated?

I ask these questions because I've seen many people get closer to God once they grow beyond salvation. If you are going to preach, by all means, include the entire gospel not just that of John the Baptist.


Oh I know becoming a Christian is just the start. I am not saying I am this perfect full mature Christian, but I am not also an immature Christian either (Please do not take this as a boastful comment), I still have a long way to go. But God knows my heart and that I am willing to do whatever it is He wants me to do. I read His word daily and pray daily, and seek His will for my life. I mean we as Christians can always grow closer to God, but I just do not think that is what it is. I feel it is something He is wanting me to do. I just want to make sure, before I surrender to the ministry that I am surrendering to His will and not something else.
And a question, what exactly are you asking about the Pentecost thing?



jobjob -> RE: Question about being Called into the ministry (7/24/2008 10:14:09 PM)

I truly understand what you mean there. It has been a clling on my life to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ for some years now. But lately everywhere I go someone ask that question are you a minister and last week I even had a child that doesn;t even know me call me hey Miss preacher



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