Called Book 2016

CALLED
Understanding the Call to Ministr y
Kristopher Barnett
Bob Cline
Bryan Cribb
Michael Duduit
Chuck Fuller
Ryan Neal
Copyright
Called | Understanding the Call to Ministry

Kristopher Barnett, Bob Cline, Bryan Cribb, Michael Duduit, Chuck Fuller, Ryan Neal
Anderson University College of Christian Studies, Anderson, SC
© 2016 Anderson University
A publication of AUMinistry Press, a ministry of the College of Christian Studies of

Anderson University in Anderson, SC.
To order copies of this free resource for your church or ministry organization, contact
Anderson University
College of Christian Studies
316 Boulevard
Anderson, SC 29621
ministry@auministry.com
864.328.1809
Introduction
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me
faithful, appointing me to his service. . .” (1 Timothy 1:12, ESV)
W hat does it mean to be called into ministry?

In an article for LeadershipJournal.net, Dave Stone writes: “To
keep Christ at the center, we must remember why we do what we do. In
the midst of the pressure of sermon prep, sometimes I have to pause
and reflect on my calling. I often think back to a summer camp during
my sophomore year of college. I was lying atop a smelly bunk bed in the
early morning hours when I scribbled this entry in my journal:
“I preached at campfire tonight—I didn’t get to run through

it beforehand. I had notes in my Bible and a flashlight, but I
didn’t end up using either. The Holy Spirit was in me, and I
could feel Him. I preached with more power than I ever had
before. In the background on a hill were three illuminated
crosses that everyone could see. Five people came forward and
made decisions. There is no doubt in my mind that I will preach
the gospel until the day I die.”
“I wrote that over 25 years ago, but nothing has changed. I still desire
to preach the gospel until the day I die. It is a sense of calling that I
can’t entirely explain. As Bob Shank says, ‘Career is what you’re paid for,
but a calling is what you’re made for.’ Remembering God’s call helps us
persevere in the pulpit, and it keeps Christ at the center.”
In these brief pages, the faculty of the College of Christian Studies
at Anderson University will help you think through the concept of a call
to ministry, and how to explore the implications of that call in your life.
We pray it will be a useful tool as God leads you toward the place where
He would have you invest your life. I’d like to thank members of our
Strategic Faculty who have contributed personal testimonies about their
own call to ministry. Our own Professor Jim Motes also contributed a
personal testimony.
If we can help you further consider these questions, or assist in some
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other way, please call on us. You can email us at ministry@auministry.
com, or write to us at:
College of Christian Studies

Anderson University
316 Boulevard
Anderson, SC 29621
You can also visit our website auministry.com. You’ll find a

downloadable copy of this book, in case you’d like to get a copy for
yourself or share one with a friend.
Michael Duduit
Dean, College of Christian Studies
Anderson University
About the Contributors
Dr. Kristopher Barnett is Associate Dean of the College of Christian
Studies and Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry at Anderson
University. He is also the chair over the Master of Ministry and Doctor
of Ministry in Biblical Preaching. He holds a Ph.D. in Preaching from
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Bob Cline is Vice President for Christian Life at Anderson

University. He is a former pastor and holds the D.Min. from
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Bryan Cribb is Associate Professor of Christian Studies at

Anderson University where he is chair of the undergraduate studies
program for the College of Christian Studies. He holds the Ph.D. in Old
Testament from Southern Baptist Seminary, and previously taught at
Brewton-Parker College.
Dr. Michael Duduit is founding Dean of the College of Christian

Studies and Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson University. He is
founder and Executive Editor of Preaching magazine, and writes a weekly
email newsletter (Preaching Now) with more than 33,000 subscribers. He
holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University.
Dr. Charles Fuller is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at

Anderson University. He came to AU from a pastorate in Louisville,
KY, where he earned a Ph.D. in Preaching from The Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary.
Dr. Ryan Neal is Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson

University. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of
Edinburgh in Scotland.
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6 Anderson University College of Christian Studies
The Joy of Ministry

Bob Cline
I have a special phrase posted near the top of my Facebook

profile page that reads: “The happiest people in the world are those
who have discovered what God wants them to do with their lives.” This is
much more than a feel-good saying; it is a deep conviction that drives me
as I work with students and pastors.
When a person begins experiencing God’s call, one of the first things
he or she realizes is that “I need some help with this and some training
in order to do it well!” When I talk with people who are experiencing
God’s call and wondering what to do next, I encourage them to get some
training, as I say it: “in Word and deed” – in Word, meaning biblical and
theological grounding, and in deed, meaning to learn strategies and sharpen
skills.
As you consider God’s call and His plans for your life – as you
anticipate the exciting experiences and carefully prepare for the
challenges that await you in ministry – here are some key things to
consider:
First, your calling is simply what God wants you to do with your life,
and it is the key to life’s deepest level of contentment and satisfaction. I
Called | Understanding the Call to Ministry 7
hope one of your primary goals is to eventually look back on your life
and be able to say that you did what God created you to do. Long time
pastor Rick Ezell told me recently that no higher place of service exists
than doing what God has called you to do.
The calling into ministry can be something that is both extremely
rewarding and immensely challenging. Those difficult days will come.
That is when you are likely to see someone working 9 to 5 and think,
“That would be a lot easier and a lot less stressful than what I’m doing.”
But despite the highs and lows of ministry, at the end of the day a called
minister of the Gospel can reflect and conclude: “I am doing exactly
what God put me on this earth to do, and as long as I’m faithful, God
can use it to impact lives all over the world.” Ministers are the most
powerful communicators in the world because their words are backed by
the Holy Spirit. It brings me incredible joy to know that when I minister
the Word, then the words I speak are not empty or void, but have life
changing potential and power.
I emailed several pastors I know to get their take on what it means
to experience joy in ministry. Jamie Duncan, a young pastor, told me,
“The greatest joy in ministry (for me) is sharing God’s Word with His
people. The closest I feel to God is when I stand up in front of a group
of people to share what He has taught me. Anyone can come up with a
sermon, but
sharing a message that you have received from God is exhilarating!”
Another young pastor (and my son), Nathan Cline, said, “The joy of
ministry is knowing that you’re making a difference, that your labor and
toil are not done in vain, and that you have the opportunity to convey
the life changing message of Jesus to a world that desperately needs to
hear it.”
What’s more, the joy of ministry is knowing that no matter how good
or bad you did that day, when you put your head on the pillow at night,
you are assured that God is sufficient and can take your menial service
and use it to change the world and bring Him glory.
Second, there is joy in knowing the reward of our work goes beyond
tangible results… it has eternal benefits. While the
ministry requires us to be tough and resilient, the rewards have a greater
significance than any other profession on the planet!
As a minister what you do impacts people’s lives for eternity. You can
spend your life building up a business and when you die, it’s gone. You
can make a lot of money, but when your time is up, it will simply be
passed on to someone else. However, when we minister the Word and
invest it in people’s lives, we are doing things that will last forever. We
have a role in changing people’s lives and thereby changing the world!
Third, when I speak of joy in ministry, it is important to keep in mind
the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is the
feeling we get when our circumstances are good; joy is the sense of
contentment we have when we are at peace with our purpose.
Happiness can be primarily a surface experience, while joy is something
deep – so deep that surface issues can’t take it away or overcome it.
Focusing on joy over happiness helps you maintain balance when
ministry hurts you, people resist you, and spiritual leadership is hard. Joy
is that deep sense of contentment and satisfaction that comes from
obeying God and fulfilling your calling as opposed to a fleeting sense of
happiness that comes and goes, depending on the circumstances around
you.
Hebrews 12:2 states that “for the joy set before him, (Christ) endured
the cross…” While this is referring to Christ’s willingness to suffer
during His time here on earth for the sake of far greater rewards in
heaven, it still expresses a great truth that we should be highly motivated
because there is joy set before us too. It is the joy of hearing God’s
divine approval and the joy of seeing our ministry make a real difference
in someone’s life.
The joy of ministry is not in a life that is pain-free, unobstructed,
with no hard decisions, and where bigger is always better. It is in
knowing that faith and obedience matter more to Him than duty and
performance. It is celebrating what God has done more than what
you have done. It is seeing Jesus increase even as we decrease. It is in
knowing that from the beginning in your mother’s womb, God called you
to this task (Isaiah 49:1). It is
pressing on toward the prize of the upward calling of God (Philippians
3:14).
True joy is found in being in the center of God’s will. Matthew 10
talks about that when it speaks of the gospel making enemies even
within the close ties of family and the radical call to turn your back on
anyone or anything that would come before Jesus. Where’s the happiness
in that? Just because it doesn’t make you happy doesn’t mean there is no
joy in it. I suppose that’s why James 1 challenges us to consider it pure
joy when we face trials. We don’t have to walk around with a smile on
our face while we’re being persecuted. Joy is an inner peace and calm that
exists in spite of what happens, not based on what happens.
I remember some times in ministry when I wanted to quit because
doing what I felt God calling me to do was so difficult and some of the
people He put in my life were so hard. I’m not trying to make ministry
out to be something you would dread, but neither can I sugar coat it to
seem so sweet until you get into it and reality slaps you in the face.
I will never forget one of the most significant spiritual markers in my
life occurred when I was making a decision about a big change in my
ministry. It was more than twenty years ago when I was
considering a move to a new place. I believed I was experiencing
God’s call as clearly as any time in my life. The inner conviction and
passion were there. The open door and positive affirmation of others
were there. When I told these things to a wise and trusted friend, he
responded, “Perhaps God is giving you such a clear sense of call now
because He knows one day you will need it.” Truer words have never
been spoken!
Maybe that’s why Moses experienced the burning bush and, to
our knowledge, it has never been duplicated quite like it was for him.
I could certainly see how something like that helped him later on to
overcome the repeated testing of Pharaoh’s ever-hardening heart and the
discouragement of the droning complaints of his own people.
As I look back on more than three decades of pastoral ministry, I can
honestly say that what I remember most are the joys of
ministry. This is not to say that joy is all that came my way. The fact is
that nearly every day brought some kind of challenge in working with
people and obeying God’s directives. Let me tell you as plainly as I know
how to say it – if anyone thinks the ministry is easy or always pleasant,
successful and free of stress or anxiety, they are wrong!
Pastor Rick Ezell often tells people who are thinking about entering
the ministry: “Don’t do it unless you are called; otherwise you will quit at
the first crisis. And, in pastoral ministry you are always in a crisis – either
in the middle of one, coming out of one, or going into one.”
The joy of ministry is rooted in knowing you are following Jesus
Christ in His plan for you – that you are doing what He created you to
do. You are never happier than when you’re doing God’s will for your
life. That makes the difference in good times when you are privileged to
see tangible evidence of the blessing of God upon your service, and in
difficult times when all the world’s success indicators are pointing south...
times that may even require some suffering. Joy is like a wellspring that
tempers pain and is an important factor in overcoming failure.
Best of all, the joy before us in ministry is Jesus – more of Him in our
lives when there may be less of other things we considered important.
Our joy is in walking with Him, obeying Him, serving Him, seeing Him
make a difference in somebody through us – moving through life toward
that day when we lay down our crowns of gold (successes) and of thorns
(suffering) at His feet, and hope to hear Him say, “Well done, good and
faithful servant.”
As I reflect on the joy of ministry across the years in
several venues, here are the most important elements:
Relationships along the way
No matter the form or style of your ministry, relationships are

everything! Is this not what Jesus meant when he responded to the
lawyer’s testing question about the greatest commandment of all?
Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your mind, and with all you strength . . . (and) Love your
neighbor as yourself ” (Mark 12:28-31).
Your first priority is your relationship with the God who has saved
you and called you. What greater joy could there be than abiding in your
own relationship with God through a close walk with Christ and helping
connect others to God through your ministry?
Relationships with people who have crossed your path become a
storehouse of treasures in your heart, more valuable than any
possession, lasting a lifetime. Those same relationships that bring you
joy will sometimes cause you pain when people have unreal expectations
or you let them down. But that is where growth in character and skills
takes place. That is where your own life is changed. That is where the
truth is realized as you discover everything He says is real and everything

He does is motivated by love.
Putting your gifts to work
A spiritual gift is something that God gives you the ability to do better
than you are normally capable of doing. It’s probably something other
people can and should be doing (such as evangelism, giving or mercy),
but God uniquely “gifts” you with an
effectiveness and passion in doing it. There is an indescribable joy in
serving God with an enablement that you know is beyond your ability.
And the joy only increases as your ministry is fulfilled in a way that
brings God glory, helps people, strengthens the church, and fulfills your
calling.
Seeing life transformation happen
God calls us to serve Him with the primary focus of our attention on
Him. This means serving Him first, listening to His voice above others,
trusting His commands when they don’t make sense to us, and being
confident in results when we don’t see any. But when God allows us to
see people’s lives changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, that is indeed
special! When you have suffered the pain of empathy over someone
else’s brokenness – whether it’s by their own bad decisions or the evil
wrongdoing of someone else – when you see God work supernaturally
to heal and restore them by His grace and power, it brings incredible joy.
One of the most impressive figures in history is King Solomon,
considered to be one of the wisest people of all time. Solomon wrote in
Ecclesiastes 3:22 (NLT), “So I saw that there is nothing better for people
than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here!” The “work”
of which he speaks
certainly includes the toil of ministry and his words surely affirm its joy
in the countless lives God has called to service across the centuries –
including you!
The great evangelist Billy Graham once said that he believes he did
the one thing God called him to do – preach the gospel. The ultimate joy
in your ministry will be to look back one day and say the same thing –
that you did what God called you to do.
My call to ministry is somewhat unusual and in fact, some

would consider it to be backwards from the normal sequence of
events. The truth is I was saved at age 9 in Greensboro, North
Carolina. Being raised in a non-Christian home, I found the
church to be a place of great joy, peace, and love. Having found
a ride to church, I sat by myself but still God called me into a
relationship with him.
The truth is I already knew that God wanted me to be a
Baptist preacher. In fact, when I was four year old, at Vacation
Bible School commencement service I shared with the pastor that
I was going to be a Baptist preacher when I grew up. He shared
this publicly that night. Truth is that I have no conscious memory
of not knowing God’s call upon my life. One kind woman in a
former pastorate said that I was “born to preach”. It is a comfort
to know with certainty from the very beginning God’s plan and
call for one’s life. As I said, my call to ministry is a little different
because it actually occurred before salvation. However, it is the
truth of God’s plan for my life.
Frank Page
President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Committee, Southern Baptist Convention
Nashville, TN
What is a Call to Ministry?

Kristopher Barnett
T he mascot for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta was Izzy. Being the first
computer generated mascot, Izzy didn’t look like any animal, person
or place. The mascot didn’t convey the image of any existing object, so
people, many in their Southern drawls, asked, “What iz it?” Eventually, the
question was shortened and the mascot was appropriately nicknamed Izzy.
That amorphous blue mascot is like the call to ministry in that the call is
difficult to describe. Dividing the call into two distinct categories, general
and specific, can illuminate our understanding.
General and Specific Call
All believers are under the general call of God. They are called to
follow and obey. This call demands humility and holiness. In addition,
each and every believer is invited to join God in His redemptive activity
in the world. They are called to make disciples and be witnesses. This is
a broad call that applies to any who claim the name of Christ.
God also calls individuals to specific tasks within His redemptive
activity in the world. Surrendering to God’s general call places a believer
on God’s team; surrendering to God’s specific call places a believer in a
specific role on that team. For example, in the early church God called
Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles while Peter primarily proclaimed
Jesus to the Jews. Both fulfilled the general call of God by carrying out
God’s specific call in their lives.
This chapter will focus on the specific call of God while attempting
to answer, “What is the call?” One way to address that question is to
consider the call of an unlikely warrior named Gideon. His story will
provide perspective on God’s call.
Brave and Mighty Warrior
Gideon raised his eyes from the wheat in the winepress to mop the
perspiration from his brow. For the first time, he noticed the mysterious
stranger sitting quietly under the oak. The sight of a stranger initially
frightened Gideon, but the farmer relaxed when he realized that the man
was not a Midianite. The marauding Midianites had ravaged the land of
Israel for years. Gideon’s people hid from their oppressors. Some even
abandoned their homes and retreated to mountain caves.
Gideon had not taken to the hills but he had retreated to a winepress.
Typically threshing occurred on the threshing floor, out in the open so
that the wind could carry away the chaff. The fear of Midianite raiders
had driven Gideon to the winepress. Too many times the Midianites had
descended on unsuspecting Israelites, robbing Israel of crops and dignity.
“Would God ever send someone to rescue His people?” Gideon dropped
his eyes in shame as he considered the plight of his people.
It is unlikely you have felt the oppression of Midianite raiders, but it is
probable that you have felt the shame of God’s people. Sin saturates the
church just as it saturates the world. The people of God still resemble
the crowds that Jesus encountered, “harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Have you ever wondered if God
will send someone to rescue his people? Have you ever wondered if
God is sending you?
Interrupting the Silence
The stranger’s confident voice interrupted Gideon’s silence. “The

Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). Gideon stifled a laugh.
He couldn’t decide which part of the statement was more comical.
Gideon was anything but a mighty warrior. He was a farmer so filled
with fear that he wouldn’t even thresh his wheat at the threshing
floor. Instead of accepting the assistance of the wind on the spacious
threshing floor, Gideon worked on his wheat in the enclosed winepress.
He wouldn’t describe himself as a “brave and mighty warrior.” He
could think of a few other descriptions: a slinking provider, a conquered
coward, or a frightened father. But as much as the label “brave and

mighty warrior” humored Gideon, the assurance that God would be
with him seemed even more preposterous. The preposterous assertion
prompted Gideon to question the stranger. Gideon peppered the pilgrim
with questions. “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to
us?” (Judges 6:13)
Gideon could not harmonize God’s presence with the presence
of the Midianite marauders. Gideon recounted the stories of God’s
activity in the past. He could affirm that God had been with Israel, but
Gideon saw no evidence of God’s activity in the present. “Where is He
now?” Gideon inquired. “Look around, do you see the Lord working
among us? Look at the camels of the Midianites, resting on our land
and destroying our crops! Look at the bloated bellies of the babies dying
from dehydration. Look at the heavy yoke of oppression that constantly
drags Israel down.”
Gideon couldn’t see the battlefield for the winepress. He couldn’t
envision himself as a brave and mighty warrior because he could see the
chaff stuck to his sweat-stained skin. He couldn’t taste victory because
of the ever present after-taste of oppression. It is easy to bemoan the
lack of God’s activity in the present but it is much more difficult to be
a part of God’s activity in the present. If you want to see God’s activity
today, then report for duty. If you want to see God work like He did in
the lives of Moses, Gideon and Paul, then say, “Here am I, Lord, send
me!”
“Am I Not Sending You?”
The stranger walked over to the winepress and spoke to Gideon:

“Go in the strength you have and save Israel out if Midian’s hand. Am
I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14). The mysterious stranger unnerved
Gideon. How could this man commission Gideon? Was it possible that
he was more than just a mysterious pilgrim? Was Gideon receiving a
message that would change his story and the history of Israel? Was this a
delusional stranger or a Godly messenger?
While Gideon considered the potential implications, he replied to the
stranger’s command, lamenting with his own question: “How can I save
Israel?” (Judges 6:15). Gideon pulled out the mental mirror and said,
“You must be crazy. I know me and I am not up to this task. I know me
and I’m not man enough for this job. There must be someone stronger,
someone smarter, someone younger, or maybe even someone older.”
Gideon knew his status, or lack of status. He was not a warrior and his
people were not warriors. Gideon said, “Let me introduce myself to
you, God; my family is the weakest in the tribe (and it isn’t a very strong
tribe at that), and I am the weakest of all in the family.”
Gideon is certain that God, or maybe this stranger, or perhaps both,
have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Perhaps they were looking for
Gideon’s cousin. He was a big guy, good with a sword. He could be a
great and mighty warrior!
Faced with God’s vision of the future, excuses abound. Like Gideon,
you can probably fill notebooks with reasons why God’s call must be
wrong. Surely you aren’t equipped for this task. You stammer when you
speak and your mind drifts when you try to study. Certainly you don’t
have the financial resources to make this work. Education costs money
which is in short supply around your house. Perhaps, like Gideon, your
pedigree isn’t conducive to ministry. Maybe your family would disown
you if you seriously pursued God’s vision for your life. Opposite your
excuses, you can make a lengthy list of others more competent or more
qualified than you. God should talk to them, right?
Gideon couldn’t see himself as a “brave and mighty warrior,” but
God could. How does God see you? Has He provided a glimpse of
your future that seems unrecognizable in the present? Sometimes we
balk at God’s vision for our lives because our vision is skewed by sin.
Our past prohibits our ability to see the future with any clarity. We can’t
see ourselves as one sent by God to shepherd His people because past
failures and current struggles impair our vision. Remember, God has
future focused x-ray vision. He sees us for who we will be and His
vision is always accurate. Trust His vision for your life!
“I Can’t, He Can”
The mysterious stranger interrupts Gideon’s excuses. With a note of

authority this messenger of God reveals God’s reality, “I will be with you
and you will strike down all the Midianites together” (Judges 6:16). The
messenger promises God’s presence. He reveals to Gideon that God’s
activity is not limited to past tense participation; it also includes present
tense reality. In addition, the messenger promises victory. The key for
Gideon is to recognize the relationship between the two promises.
Victory only comes in the power of God’s presence.
Gideon said, “I can’t do it.” God agreed with Gideon’s assessment.
God recognized Gideon’s limitations even more acutely than Gideon.
So, God says to Gideon, “I will be with you and you will strike down the
Midianites. Gideon, this isn’t about you trying harder, this isn’t about you
doing better, and this isn’t even about you in me. No, this is about Me in
you. This is about what I can do through you!”
Gideon’s excuses revealed a lack of faith. Ours do the same. False
humility actually belies a fragile faith in God. When you pretend that
your skills are insufficient or your abilities are incomplete, you imply
that God has made a mistake. You imply that God doesn’t know what
He is doing. You act as if God does not possess the ability to equip and
empower His servants. Playing up your inability actually questions God’s
ability. God knows that you can’t accomplish the task on your own. It
is arrogant for us to think that we can. God assures Gideon that he will
win the victory. God’s assurance is the same for you. If God has revealed
His vision of your future, He will enable you to realize it.
What does God see in you? He sees Himself in You! He doesn’t look
at you as you are; He looks at you as you will be filled with His power.
Maybe you are hearing the voice of God calling you to a task, but the
task doesn’t fit with your mental image of yourself. You are not really a
student of the Word, but for some reason God calls you skilled teacher.
You can’t see through your own pain, but God calls you kind comforter.
You don’t have patience with church people, but God calls you a gentle
shepherd. You don’t have any extra time for teens, but God calls you
student pastor. You’ve never traveled on foreign soil, but God calls you
vocational missionary. You’ve only been a part of one church your entire
life, but God calls you a church planter.
Remember that God’s perspective is different. He isn’t looking at what

you are but rather at what you are becoming with His strength. God’s call
is not an affirmation of your abilities; it is an acknowledgement of His
activity in your life. Gideon was a mighty warrior because God was with
him. So as crazy as it might sound, God’s greeting is appropriate:

The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.
The Lord is with you, skilled teacher.
The Lord is with you, kind comforter.
The Lord is with you, gentle shepherd.
The Lord is with you, student pastor.
The Lord is with you, vocational missionary.
The Lord is with you, church planter.
The Call of God
What is the call of God? The specific call of God acknowledges

your place on the team and asserts your role in God’s redemptive plan.
God offers His vision of your future and invites you to participate. The
call invites you to accept God’s perspective on your potential. So, quit
threshing wheat in the winepress and join God on the battlefield. There’s
a job just for you!
I was born and raised in South Africa. After an adventurous

young life and time in the army I ran headlong into Jesus with my
wife at my side. Even though my plans were to pursue a Ph.D.
in England or Australia, the Lord dramatically called me into
full-time Christian ministry. He changed my plans and altered
my perspective. In obedience to His call my wife and I sold all we
owned and arrived in New York with two suitcases and $1400
in our pockets.
At no time have we ever decided where we would serve Him.
The call of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-4 lead us to pack up, sell
out and move out with an open heart to the guiding Hand of the
Savior who had called us. Today God has blessed my ministry
across the world but the seat I occupy is but the place I sit at His
command. The world is God’s parish and I am but his pawn. He
alone is King!
Don Wilton
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church
Spartanburg, SC
How Do You Know if You Are Called to

Ministry?
Chuck Fuller
W ithout hesitation he replied, “If you can do anything else and be

happy, do it.” His sobering advice was not what I expected to
hear upon sharing my call to ministry with my boyhood pastor. Brother
Danny had moved from our church some years earlier, but returned for
a revival service. He was the man who had baptized me, preached to me,
and shepherded my soul during my most formative years. He was the man
that, except for my own father, I admired more than anyone in the world.
When I told him my big news, I thought he would respond with delight,
encouragement, and affirmation.
What I received felt awkward, disheartening, and even harsh — causing
my eager, youthful heart to sink. At first, his counsel caused me to question
him — perhaps he had lost his passion for ministry or had become
disgruntled with the work. Then, his counsel caused me to question, well,
me. Maybe he thought I wasn’t qualified. Maybe I was lying to myself or
putting too much trust in the encouragement received from others.
It took some years for me to understand, and appreciate, his intent.
He did not mean to frighten or discourage me. He meant to refine me

— to cause me to consider my calling carefully before embarking on the
journey. Over time, I found his somber words to be a most helpful piece
of wisdom. He knew that if I was not completely sure of my calling,
then I would completely fail in ministry.
A clear call to ministry isn’t optional—it’s essential. Only a clear call
from God kept Isaiah true to his task to render hearts dull, ears heavy,
and eyes blind (Isaiah 6:10). Only a supernatural call drove the apostle
Paul to remain faithful even as he suffered for the sake of Christ (Acts
9:16; 2 Corinthians 11:24-12:10). Indeed, gospel ministry is a grueling
task that involves great personal sacrifices. Dealing firsthand with the
realities of sin, wrestling with fallen souls, and pleading for salvation
is not for the weak of heart. Only a sure calling will sustain a minister
through it. Erwin Lutzer wisely claims,
I don’t see how anyone could survive in the ministry if he felt it

was just his own choice. Some ministers scarcely have two good
days back to back. They are sustained by the knowledge that
God has placed them where they are. Ministers without such
conviction often lack courage and carry their resignation letter in
their coat pocket. At the slightest hint of difficulty, they’re gone.1

If a sure calling is prerequisite to Christian ministry, how then does
one know that he is called? Although other factors sometimes exist, it
seems that a genuine call to ministry involves two necessary components:
an internal compulsion for the task, and external confirmation by the
church.
Internal Compulsion
Charles Spurgeon claimed that the “first sign” of the calling is “an
intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.”2 Indeed, a deep, irresistible
urge for gospel ministry represents one component of a genuine call.
In Jeremiah 20:9, the prophet says, “there is in my heart as it were a
burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and
I cannot.” Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:16, claims, “For necessity is laid upon
me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

What the prophet and the apostle experienced finds repetition
in every generation of Christian ministers. John Stott, the stalwart
evangelical pastor and theologian in the Church of England, surrendered
to a call to ministry during his college days. His parents were seemingly
unhappy with his decision and, in reply to them, he wrote,
Whatever you may think of it, I have had a definite and

irresistible call from God to serve Him in the Church. During
the last three years I have become increasingly conscious of
this call, and my life now could be summed up in the words
“separated unto the gospel of God.” There is no higher service;
I ask no other.3

A genuine call to Christian ministry can withstand the challenge of
my boyhood pastor (“if you can do anything else and be happy, do
it”) because one called to ministry simply cannot do anything else. A
holy constraint binds him. In his famous Lectures to My Students, Charles
Spurgeon asserts,
If any student . . . could be content to be a newspaper editor, or

a grocer, or a farmer, or a doctor, or a lawyer, or a senator, or a
king, in the name of heaven and earth let him go his way; he is
not the man in whom dwells the Spirit of God in its fullness, for
a man so filled with God would utterly weary of any pursuit but
that for which his inmost soul pants.4
This internal compulsion to enter ministry, though, must not be

merely impulsive or reactionary. A fleeting thought, a single pondering, a
convicting encounter, or a “what if ” moment does not constitute a call
to gospel work. Compulsion has roots. In most cases (though not all), a
sense of call rises from intense personal Bible study, exposure to biblical
preaching, and connection to a faithful, local church. Kevin Smith was
the 2009-2010 president of the Kentucky Baptist Pastor’s Conference,
and is pastor of Watson Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville,
Kentucky. He describes his call to ministry in terms of internal
compulsion rooted in Scripture and church ministry. He says,
I knew I was called to “preach the Gospel” as I began to be

discipled under the expository ministry of my local church in my
mid-twenties. . . . After having a season of Isaiah 6 exposures
to God (from His word), I sensed the burden to share His word
(and subsequently His glory) with others as my purpose in life. I
knew I could pursue nothing else and have the peace and joy of
the Lord.5
In other words, Pastor Kevin knew that he could do nothing else and
be happy. The gospel constrained him. He had an irresistible, internal
compulsion toward Christian ministry, rooted in Bible study, prayer,
preaching, and local church discipleship.
External Confirmation
All of us are prone to misinterpret our feelings and experiences, so

none one of us can infallibly distinguish our own call to ministry. “It
is not enough to feel that we may possibly have a call to the ministry,”
according to Derek Prime and Alistair Begg. “Such uncertainty leads to
tragic mistakes.”6 Others must help one to confirm God’s call.
In Acts, the church plays a crucial role in affirming gospel ministers,
under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:1-3, the Spirit calls
upon the Antioch church to “set apart” Barnabas and Saul for gospel
work. After praying and fasting, the church lays hands on them and
sends them off. Acts 16 provides another example. Paul enters Derbe
and Lystra, and finds a man named Timothy. The Christian brothers
there spoke highly of Timothy, so Paul “wanted Timothy to accompany
him” (Acts 16:3). We know little of Timothy’s personal experience of a
call, but we do know that the church’s confirmation was a major factor in
his ministry.
In my early days as a pastor, a young man in his twenties came to
Christ and quickly expressed a call to ministry. The church supported
him with prayer and financial assistance, but many had honest, if
unexpressed, reservations — including me. It wasn’t a flaw in his
character. Rather, we perceived an utter lack of giftedness and a few
personality issues that might stifle his effectiveness. Personally, I feared

that the joyful emotion of coming to Christ might have led him to
a premature sense of calling to ministry. Not wanting to hinder or
discourage, though, we kept our doubts private. Unwittingly, we left the
poor fellow to suffer alone in frustration, despair, and failure. Less than
a year into Bible college, he dropped out and returned home — without
work and with mounting personal debt. Our church failed him. In truth,
he was the only person that believed that he was called to ministry, but
we lacked the courage to test him, refine him, and even correct him.
One who feels an internal call to ministry should seek the external
confirmation of the local church, and every local church should test and
refine such a person. The church is the body of Christ, and through the
Spirit of Christ it expresses the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 1-2). Its
collective wisdom must be engaged when one believes that he is called
to ministry. “The will of the Lord concerning pastors is made known
through the prayerful judgment of his church,” Spurgeon claims. “It
is needful as a proof of your vocation that your preaching should be
acceptable to the people of God.”7 The accountability, discernment, and
encouragement of a local church (Hebrews 10:24-25) are essential for
confirming a genuine call.
Many times, when a person begins to consider ministry, he or she will
submit to the church’s leadership for counsel. It could be that the person
has exhibited signs of a call for some time, and the church can quickly
affirm the calling. It could be that more time is needed. For example, if a
man desires to be a pastor, but has little evidence of giftedness, then his
pastor should begin to mentor him. The candidate should demonstrate
growth in biblical knowledge, teaching and preaching ability, leadership
skills, spiritual maturity, and desire for the work. At some point, and
upon the pastor’s recommendation, the person should be affirmed by the
church and, perhaps, ordained.
The membership and leadership of a local church should help a
person discern and refine a call to ministry in each of the following ways:
•Identifying specific flaws in character that, if not purged, would

subvert ministry.
• Detecting spiritual maturity and overall readiness for service.

• Discerning what gifts for ministry a person possesses, and

what types of ministries those particular gifts would best serve.
• Refining skills in leadership and working with people.
• Developing skills in preaching and public communication.
• Gaining experience in teaching and pastoral ministries.
What comes first, the compulsion or the confirmation?
In many cases, the internal compulsion precedes the external

confirmation. As a called person sits under the sound teaching of
the Word, prays, and becomes involved in ministry, the call becomes
radically clear and that person cannot help but share it. Then, after
sharing it, the church agrees and affirms. Often, though, the process
is deeply intertwined. Because of the spiritually intimate nature of the
local church, by the time a person acknowledges an internal compulsion
toward ministry, many others have already sensed it coming and have
been praying in anticipation.
A few years ago, I led a teenager to Christ at our church’s annual
Fall Festival event. He had visited for a few weeks, and I had noticed
his attentiveness. After trusting Christ for salvation, he blossomed in
spiritual maturity. He absorbed the Bible and preaching like a sponge.
He began spending enormous amounts of time with our youth minister,
receiving counsel and building friendship. Soon, he was volunteering
in various ministries, assisting in the church office, and mentoring his
siblings and friends for Christ. At a Valentine’s banquet one year, he
stood to give his testimony. As he shared his love for Christ and love
for the church, I sensed the Spirit of the Lord on him, as did others.
Unknown to him, we began to pray for him concerning his future.
After some time passed, he began contemplating a call to ministry,
and sought help and prayer from me and the youth minister. When, after
even more time passed, he came forward at the end of a worship service
to announce his call to ministry and ask for the church’s affirmation,
it was a moment of great celebration. The internal call and external

confirmation were woven together in a beautiful, worshipful way.
Sometimes, however, a church will recognize a person’s call to
ministry before he does. Feelings of inadequacy, worldly distractions, and
discouragement from detractors can hinder a person from considering
a call, and it takes the prodding of a church to kindle the inner
compulsion. Derek Prime’s call to ministry happened in such a way. He
writes,
It surfaced when it was my turn to give the talk at the young

people’s meeting of the church through whose witness I had
been brought to Christ. The pastor was present, and afterward
he turned to me and asked, “Derek, have you ever thought
of the ministry?” At age sixteen I had thought that to have
such a desire so early was rather presumptuous, and yet it was
wonderful to me that it was not I who raised the subject but my
pastor. . . .
Coming from a non-Christian background, my parents
opposed my going into the ministry, even though they consented
to my switching to theology in my third year at university. And
so I taught first history and then religious knowledge for three
and a half years in a boys’ grammar school. During this time
opportunities for preaching multiplied, and I became an elder of
the church where I had been converted. To my surprise, during
a pastoral vacancy, one of the elders intimated to me after a
church prayer meeting that he and the other elders had come to
the conclusion that it was God’s will that I should become the
pastor of the church, and that they would share that conviction
with the church if I felt an answering conviction. . . .
I have gained immeasurable strength from remembering
that my decision to obey God’s call was confirmed initially by
the elders as I submitted myself to their direction, and then
underlined the clear call of God’s people in a situation in which
I had no hand.8
Whether the internal compulsion or the external confirmation comes

first—or whether the two are deeply intertwined — the matter of timing
has no final consequence. What remains critically important, though, is

that both components do exist and, at some point, come together. When
that happens, the one sensing a call to ministry is ready to move forward
with intense preparation — preparation through academic study and
ministry experience.
Are you contemplating a call to ministry? Then, heed the advice I so
reluctantly received. If you can do anything else and be happy, then do
it. If, however, you cannot — if ministry is your all-consuming passion
in life, then seek the counsel of other believers in the context of a local
church. Be patient and submissive as your call is tested and your gifts are
refined. Seek to prepare as thoroughly as possible. Then, serve “by the
strength that God supplies” (1 Peter 4:11), and “fulfill your ministry” (2
Timothy 4:5).
End Notes
1. Erwin W. Lutzer, “Still Called to the Ministry,” Moody Monthly 83, no 7 (March 1983):
133.
2. C. H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students: Complete & Unabridged (reprint, Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1954), 26.
3. Timothy Dudley Smith, John Stott: The Making of a Leader (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity, 1999), 87, 165.
4. Spurgeon, Lectures, 27
5. Kevin Smith, personal interview, September 24, 2010.
6. Derek Prime and Alistair Begg, On Being a Pastor: Understanding Our Calling and Work
(Chicago: Moody, 2004), 24.
7. Spurgeon, Lectures, 29.
8. Prime and Begg, On Being a Pastor, 26-27.
I have a large picture of a cow pasture that hangs behind my

desk. It was during a prayer walk through that cow pasture
in Alexandria, Minnesota that I felt called to ministry. I had
no idea when or where I’d serve. And it’d be years before God
revealed those details. But that calling in that cow pasture changed
the trajectory of my life. I made the decision to give up a full ride
scholarship at the University of Chicago and transfer to a Bible
college. I changed majors from pre-law to pastoral ministries.
And I started preaching every opportunity I could get. I preached
in nursing homes. I preached in youth groups. And I cut my teeth
in a little church that averaged twelve people in attendance. And I
loved every minute of it.
A few years ago I hired a photographer to go back to that cow
pasture and take pictures. Why? Because I never want to forget
that I am called by Christ. I serve at His pleasure! And it is a
pleasure and a privilege that I never want to take for granted.
So on my difficult days I turn around in my chair, look at the
picture that hangs behind me, and remember the pure joy of God’s
calling.
Mark Batterson
National Community Church
Washington, D.C.
What the Bible Says About

the Call to Ministry
Bryan H. Cribb
T he synagogue in Antioch was in a state of pandemonium. A mob had

formed. Lynching was on its mind. Raised fists, stomping feet and cries
of “blasphemy” had kicked up a cloud of dust, fury and deadly intentions.
In the midst of the mob stood one man — now quiet, almost peaceful,
yet determined. The first rock hit Stephen. Suddenly, a barrage of boulders
flew from the angry rabble. Within minutes, one of the leaders of the early
church breathed his last.
A young Pharisee in the back nodded his head “in hearty agreement”
(Acts 8:1). He began to gather the garments of the mob — returning
them to their rightful owners. Saul was happy. Joyous. Another heretic
had been exterminated. Judaism was being purified. Indeed, as Paul
would later write of himself, “He was advancing in his faith” (Gal. 1:14).
He believed he was doing right by persecuting a church that he thought
to be false, foolish and far from God’s will.
How can it be that one like this could receive the “call” to become
God’s minister to the very church he once persecuted? How could Saul
the persecutor become Paul the servant of God?

Those who receive God’s call into the ministry today rarely claim
such radical “Damascus Road” experiences. Yet, we can learn something
of how God works to summon to divine service today from the many
examples of “callings” — like that of Paul and others — which fill the
Scriptures.
This chapter will briefly consider biblical illustrations of God’s call to
ministry. One could take two approaches to this task. In a comprehensive
and inductive fashion, one could examine key “callings” one by one
throughout the Scriptures. But such an exhaustive study could prove
scattered and, well, exhausting.
The tact I shall take is more synchronic and systematic. In other
words, I will examine general and enduring principles gleaned from how
God works in most “callings” throughout the Scriptures.
One caution is in order as I begin my survey. One should avoid making
one-to-one correspondences between Old Testament prophets and New
Testament apostles with modern day God-called ministers and preachers.
While overlap exists between the modern and ancient, there is also
dissonance. So, for instance, while the prophets and apostles often received
visionary and verbal calls from God the Father or Christ Himself, such is
not the norm today. In addition, God chose the apostles and prophets to
serve a specific function in salvation history. Today, we are at a different
stage in salvation history and have different offices to serve the church.
Still, God does call in the Bible in a way that is consistent with today. And
we can learn much from the general principles derived from these biblical
illustrations. While there undoubtedly could be more, the following will
present ten such principles.
First, the call of God to minister goes to all Christians, but God
commissions some for special service.
The church in America has largely professionalized the ministry —

misunderstanding servants and equippers as those we pay to do the work
of the ministry for us. Tithes have become remuneration for services
rendered, and sideline Christians have ignored the very clear teaching
for all who have experienced salvation to obey the Great Commission.
Every-member ministry needs recovery.
Still, Scripture clearly demonstrates that some receive a special
calling to serve God in a more consuming fashion — as “workers in
His harvest” (Matt. 9:38). This principle is evident from the beginning
of God’s salvation history. For instance, though all Israelites were to
participate in the national missional goal of being a “light to the nations”
(Isaiah 42:6), God called the prophets, priests, and especially the Davidic
kings to lead in this illuminative effort. And though Jesus called all His
followers to “go therefore and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19), Paul asserts
that God “gave” specific roles to some in service of those disciples
(Eph. 4:11).
The church’s role in the process is to set persons apart “for the work
which I [God] have called them” — as with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2).
Second, the call of God has no vocational or experiential

prerequisites.
As the editor of my seminary’s newspaper for several years, I had the

opportunity to interview many fellow classmates about their testimonies.
The array of past experiences was astonishing. I wrote stories about a
former performer for World Championship Wrestling who gave into God’s
call after rasslin’ with it for years. A power company worker was literally
shocked into the ministry after grabbing a live cable. There were former
firefighters and pharmacists, drug dealers and doctors, schoolteachers and
soldiers, bikers and bankers, even a hippie and a harpist.
Scriptures attest to a similar variety among the called. Among the
prophets, Amos was a farmer, Ezekiel a priest, Jonah, well, a runner! Of
course, perhaps the greatest examples of this principle are the Twelve.
A revolutionary Zealot, a reviled tax collector, regular-guy fishermen?
These aren’t necessarily search-committee material.
Why does God work this way? Paul in 1 Corinthians 1 gives an
indication. God uses “the things that are not” to shame the things that
are (1 Cor. 1:28). Such variety also demonstrates that you do not need
remarkable gifts or extensive previous experience. If anything, the
prerequisites seem to have more to do with your character — as shown
in the qualifications lists of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

Amazingly, many times, the Scriptures are completely silent about the
past lives of the called. This is especially true of the prophets, like Joel
and Obadiah, who appear as nothing more than voices for the Divine.
The focus becomes the message and the subject of the message (God),
not the messenger.
This does not mean that we are to put our past out of sight and out
of mind. Indeed, God often uses these experiences providentially to
communicate His message. For instance, Isaiah’s status as a relative of
the king gave him access to the throne at crucial moments in Judah’s
history — particularly when the mighty Assyrians laid siege to Jerusalem
in the late 700s BC. Ezekiel’s past as a priest gave him significant insight
into the corruption of Judah’s religious leadership. Paul’s experience as a
Pharisee gave him extensive knowledge of the Old Testament, on which
he based much of his gospel proclamation.
Third, the call of God can come at any stage in life.
Graduate programs in ministry today are a melting pot of characters,

coming from all stages of life. I can remember graduates walking across
the stage to receive their divinity degrees who appeared too young to
drive, much less lead a church; others had received an Abrahamic call at
an advanced age. God’s call is not restricted to the very young. Indeed,
my Ph.D. supervisor — the man who made more of an impact on my
life than anyone — did not receive his Ph.D. until age 40.
Scriptural examples validate this principle. Of course, there are the
stalwarts of the senior circuit, Abraham and Moses. On the other hand,
timid Timothy and junior Jeremiah seem to have entered God’s service
early in life. Again, the variety of life experiences are all part of God’s
providential equipping of individuals for their specific roles within the
Kingdom.
Fourth, the call of God requires a commissioning from God

Himself.
A former professor of mine used to say that you can no more send
yourself into the ministry than you can send yourself to China as an
official ambassador from the U.S. Every person must receive some kind
of commissioning from God Himself.
Our experience will differ from that of the prophets and apostles
who often received visionary experiences of God and His glory as
part of their calling (like Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Paul). Still, what
we do receive — such as the confirmation of church elders and the
internal assurance of the Spirit that leads to a holy aspiration for the
ministry — is clearly God-given. Like the prophets and apostles, such
a commissioning gives confidence and authority and even definition to
one’s ministry.
Fifth, the call of God does not require immediate acceptance, but
does require eventual certainty.
In my experience, I have encountered students who have known

God’s calling seemingly from the moment of salvation, and they have
never strayed in their pursuit of this purpose. Countless others, though,
have wavered and wondered about the whethers and whys of God’s
calling. Some have even postponed ultimate commitment for many years.
This mirrors the initial reluctance of many biblical characters. At
times, this reluctance stemmed from a perceived personal inadequacy
— as with Moses (speech impairment) and Jeremiah and Timothy (both
were young). Other times, knowledge of the difficulty of the mission
and of future trials and persecutions caused some hesitation — as with
Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
However, if the calling is true, fears and vacillation should soon
give way to ardent and steadfast service. Indeed, ministers need such
God-given certainty to persevere amid inevitable ministerial trials and
tribulations. As with Jeremiah, we need a conviction of the calling that
is like a fire in the bones (Jer. 20:9), which cannot be quenched. These
prophetic flames helped him to endure the bitter shunning of his own
people, the Babylonia demolition of Jerusalem, and his subsequent

ejection to Egypt against his will.
Uncomfortable deacons’ meetings and unkind gossip aren’t quite to
this level — though at times some church members may seem downright
Mesopotamian in their behavior towards ministers. Regardless, a minister
needs assurance of God’s call to face whatever challenge comes his or
her way. And this does not mean that doubts will not arise. Elijah is a
clear example of this, as he experienced extreme depression after his
Mount Carmel experience. But when doubts do surface, we may revisit
our past experiences of grace and use them as an impetus to press on
through these periods of uncertainty.
Sixth, the call of God requires a clear sense of God’s character and
mission.
Do you ever wonder why God revealed Himself in such visually

shocking ways to the “called” in Scripture? Ezekiel’s vision of God
leaves him writing about the experience with choppy Hebrew in Ezekiel
1 — almost as if his hand is shaking. Isaiah believes he’s going to die in
Isaiah 6. Paul is blinded by his encounter with Christ on the Damascus
Road.
Undoubtedly, such experiences gave validation to the ministry of
these individuals and led to a certainty of their calling. But the visions
accomplished something else. They gave the individuals a clear and
certain conviction regarding the character and nature of God Himself.
The brightness of God’s eminence made an imprint on their minds, such
that the very messages of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
center around God’s character as revealed in their callings. For instance,
Isaiah was so impressed by the Seraphims’ cry of “Holy, Holy, Holy,”
that his prophecies include more references to God as the Holy One of
Israel than all the other prophets put together.
We may not have such visionary experiences, but the revelation of
God’s character in the Scriptures to us is just as clear and powerful.
There are many good reasons for God-called individuals to pursue
biblical and theological training. But perhaps studying God’s character
as revealed in the Bible is the most important of these reasons. It is
through this study that our ministries will be defined, validated, and
strengthened.
Seventh, the call of God requires proper preparation.
Christians will often speak of having a “life-verse” — something that

encapsulates their ministry and gives them focus and purpose in life. If
I had to choose one, for me that verse would be Ezra 7:10 — “For Ezra
had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to
teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”
Ezra was a religious leader living in the era following the Babylonian
exile of the Jews. During his early life, he lived in ancient Persia, before
he led a group of Jews back to the Promised Land around 459 BC. He
became the towering figure among all the post-exilic Jewish leaders,
leading in a revival of the people based upon God’s revealed Word.
How did God use him in such amazing ways? I believe it is because
Ezra had devoted himself to preparation before he even left Persia. Each
part of the verse above was crucial in this preparation, but of special
significance is the sequence — study and practice, then teach.
So, how do you prepare to be an evangelist or a missionary or a
pastor? You must first study the Bible you will proclaim and practice its
principles, then you will be properly prepared. So, I am a huge proponent
of ministerial training — as much as you can get.
I have a question that I ask my students, many of whom are young
and eager to get on the field as quickly as possible (particularly those
called to the mission field). Let’s say they have 60 years of ministry ahead
of them. Would they rather have 50-55 years of substantive ministry or
60 years of ministry that may not be as fruitful as it could have been with
proper study and practice first?
Eighth, the call of God requires an abandonment of self and self-

interest.
Human nature and ministry sometimes make a volatile combination.

Every generation spawns those who deem the ministry as a way to feed
egos, line pockets, and gather acclaim.
The prophets of the Old Testament dealt with such self-called and
self-interested individuals, and we have examples of false prophets going
back all the way to Balaam. Like the so-called prophets of the ancient
world surrounding them, they praised kings and ensured their own self-
preservation through popular messages. Even in New Testament times,
Paul talks of teachers who accumulate audiences of eager itching ears (2
Tim. 4:3).
However, the true ministers of the Bible always spoke out of a sense
of compulsion and mission (1 Cor. 9:16; Jer. 5:14) and not out of a
desire for personal gain (Micah 3:5) or acceptance. In fact, true ministry
often results in the opposite of what human nature desires — rejection,
poverty, and toiling in anonymity. A minister should be ready and willing
to serve selflessly his or her entire life, even if no one ever notices or
recognizes the efforts. The call of God is to serve God’s people, not self.
Ninth, the call of God requires a resolve to base one’s ministry on

God’s Word and a refusal to compromise on this revelatory truth.
Many denominations, including my own (the Southern Baptist

Convention), have fought battles over the Bible in the last few decades.
In the case of the SBC, the churches actually succeeded in reasserting
and reestablishing the doctrine of scriptural inerrancy as foundational for
seminary training, denominational work, and the life of the church.
However, while we have waved the banner hailing the Bible’s
truthfulness and trustworthiness, in many cases, we have failed to
recognize in practice Scripture’s sufficiency and authority for our
ministries. So we base our messages, ministries, and methodologies on
what the world wants and on how the world wants it.
One of the great moments in the early church is when Peter and
John stood before the Jewish leaders after boldly proclaiming salvation
in Christ alone. Commanded to compromise by ceasing from such
sermons, Peter and John answered, “We cannot but speak what we have
seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). The Old Testament prophets, too, refused
to compromise on God’s Word when others wanted them to hedge
on that commitment. For instance, when all the prophets “with one
accord” were favorable to the king Ahab, Micaiah boldly proclaimed, “As
the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak” (1 Kgs.
22:13-14).
We, too, have sufficient revelation for all aspects of ministry in God’s
Word. And we must enter ministry with a resolve not to compromise it
— even if it means death, as it did for so many in Scripture.
Tenth, the call of God requires a commitment to personal integrity.
Most seminary graduates can point to at least one and probably many
more examples of people who have fallen in some area after entering
the ministry — whether the sin is moral, sexual, financial, or some
combination in nature.
Each one of these graduated from seminary with no inclination that
he or she would err in such a serious manner in the future. Usually, the
slide happened gradually and the sin became eventually unmanageable.
In each case, the harm of ministerial lapses in integrity extends not just
to the minister, but also to his or her family, the church and the name of
God.
In the Bible, the persons used most powerfully in God’s service
also displayed consistent integrity. Perhaps the best example is Daniel.
Far away from family, in a foreign country and culture, and faced
with temptations that would trip most, Daniel steadfastly refused any
compromise, even at the cost of possible death. My three-year-old sings
a song that should be a rallying cry to all those entering the ministry —
“Dare to be a Daniel.”
A closing thought. As I close this brief survey of biblical examples
of the call to ministry, let me make one last observation and challenge. A
friend of mine from seminary once told me his definition of a disciple
— one who is willing to lay down his or her life for his Lord. I believe
this characteristic should apply to those called to the ministry as well.
As we survey the Scriptures and even church history, we find many
such disciples who become ministerial martyrs. Stephen and Paul, Isaiah
and Zechariah, Polycarp and Wycliffe, and countless others willingly
laid down their lives to serve God. If you are reading this today and
considering God’s call, one question may answer whether or not you are
in fact called. Are you willing to die for your Lord?
After finishing my first sermon in record time – a feat I

now know is normal for first time sermons – I received several
comments from members of the congregation. The most striking
in my memory was, “that was a good talk young man.”
I believed with all my heart that I was being called into the
ministry; I just wasn’t sure if was to be a pastor. After much
good advice and the experience gained by continuing my education,
I was exposed to the many different tasks needing attention in the
local church beyond that of Pastor and Minister of Music.
After three years in college, I finally came to the point where I
surrendered myself to God and prayed that His will be done in
my life. I also came to the decision that it was in the church I was
to find my place of service.
The call of God is both illusive and painfully clear at the same
time. It involves first to be in a right relationship God through
Christ. One must be willing to abandon all holds to this life and
be willing to seek out His kingdom, its needs and no others. My
pastor’s advice years ago seems as relevant today as it was helpful
to me back then: “Get as much education as you can” and “work
hard at whatever the Lord opens to you.” During the process
of getting an education God opened many new venues of service
to me. Among them I discovered that God has many ways of
meeting the needs in a local church.

Jim Motes
Associate Professor of Christian Ministry
Anderson University
You’ve Been Called to Ministry.

Now What?
Ryan Neal
Y ou’ve been called to ministry. The days ahead are important. You
sense God has called you, and a flood of questions inevitably rises
up: “Why? Where? When? How?” These are all good questions, and the
answers will differ for each person called to ministry. While each of these
is a useful question, I’m going to focus on a different one: “what now?”
So, you’ve been called to ministry … what’s next? There are many answers
to this question, and your unique circumstances will help you determine
what the next steps include specifically. But, in a more general way, an
answer can be found, and it’s the same for every person called into ministry.
What’s next is as simple as it is complex: preparation. It’s simple because
it’s undoubtedly true, but complex because the specific steps may not be
clear to you at this early stage.
Preparation can take on many forms, and certainly will be different for
each person, depending on your calling, interests, talents, goals, plans, and
place of service. In fact, different roles in ministry require different paths
of preparation, so don’t be surprised if yours looks different than someone
else’s. Yet, still there are three areas of preparation that are vital regardless
of your calling, location, age, stature, maturity, gender, or future place of
service. Every minister needs to continually concentrate on these three areas
(at least!): personal devotion, practical experience, and academic training.
As a focal point to guide my comments I’m going to use a short
passage from one of Paul’s letters to Timothy. When Paul wrote to
Timothy (who was a pastor) he commended the importance of Scripture
to him: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of
God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy
3.16-17).
I think these two verses combine for a strong basis of preparing for
ministry. I recommend memorizing these verses. I am confident you’ll
find them helpful in your ministry. According to Paul, Scripture is highly
valuable across many areas. As I explain the three vital areas that you
need to concentrate on for your ministry preparation, I’ll return to this
passage.
Personal Devotion
As you begin taking steps to prepare yourself for life in full-time

ministry you’re going to both want and need to take some time to ensure
your continued growth on a personal level. The other two steps will take
a significant toll on your time, your energy, and your resources. You will
begin spending more of your time in service to others. Additionally,
once you begin your academic training you will spend many hours,
weeks, months, and years on meeting deadlines, reading and writing, and
completing projects.
It is important, in the midst of these other two areas of preparation
that you remain focused on what led to your call to begin with: your
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a desire to serve Him. It
would be very unfortunate if you pursued with great zeal and passion
practical experience in ministry and academic training, if in the end, the
result is a wealth of experience a stronger mind, but a lack of spiritual
devotion. Your goal should be to supplement your passion for God, his
people, and ministry. To do this you need to actively and constantly aim
to grow spiritually. Using Paul’s admonition to Timothy as a guide, you

should begin reading, memorizing, and knowing Scripture. You will rely
on it more than you can imagine.
Reading and studying Scripture will help you stay focused on your
preparation. Scripture study can point out areas where you need to work
harder. It will be, as Paul said, beneficial in “rebuking” and “correcting”
you. As you prepare for ministry your focus needs to stay on your
personal devotion. I would even go so far as to recommend Richard
Foster’s Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth as a good way
of working through developing a stronger devotional life.
You’re going to want to set aside time for prayer and Bible study on a
regular basis, so you can keep your personal relationship growing. As you
serve others and add academic training to your daily life, there will be
a strong temptation to lose sight of this relationship. Be proactive now
and maintain daily habits and skills to guard against losing your zeal and
passion.
Practical Experience
Beyond keeping a vital personal relationship with God, you’ll also

benefit from many experiences in different places of ministry. Volunteer
in your local church; find ways to be involved in areas and ways that
you are gifted, have talents, and have an interest. The goal here is to
serve God, your fellow Christians, and fellow humanity while gaining
experience, so that you can begin working through what area and type of
ministry you will pursue.
You may already realize that you’ve been called to be a youth minister,
or perhaps a pastor. If you have been led to a specific role, then begin
now gaining experience in that area. But, most of you probably will not
have that specific knowledge, yet. Although it might take months or years
to identify, serving now will help you work through where your gifts are
best put to use. Paul recommends Scripture to Timothy to prepare him.
As you serve consider it another area of preparation. There is a place for
you to serve. A ministry needs your guidance, input, and gifts.
Most people called to ministry take several years of preparation
as they work through their place of service. They will serve in many
capacities determining their fit in God’s kingdom. Some of these

experiences are positive; some are negative; all will be beneficial. For
example, I teach at a university and every summer college students leave
campus and are interns in camps, churches, and other organizations.
Every summer there are amazing opportunities both near and far where
you can get plugged into a ministry.
Occasionally, though, one will return and say (with a grumbling sigh):
“I had the worst summer. It was terrible. I wasted away my summer. I
interned at a Christian Camp. I didn’t like any part of it. After a week
I wanted to return home, and give up.” While I understand what they
mean I immediately attempt to have the student think of the valuable
lessons they have learned rather than the “terrible” experience they are
convinced “wasted” their summer. For example, in this case the student
didn’t give up, quit, and return home. He stayed and gained valuable
experience in camp life. This student was convinced that they hadn’t
learned anything. I disagreed. The fact that he stayed shows a trait that
is vital in ministry: commitment. The student had committed to being a
leader at the camp. What impression would it leave had the student left
after one week? It would have harmed fellow staffers and campers. But
in this case I think it would have also harmed the student. He would not
have learned the value of perseverance and keeping commitments.
There’s a further positive that resulted from this experience. At the
beginning of the summer he thought his full time place of ministerial
service was … camp. He wanted to work at this particular camp to gain
experience for his future ministry. As a result of his summer “disaster”
he learned something very valuable. He was not, in fact, suited for camp
life in a full-time capacity. This example may not be yours. But, the very
practice of serving in ministry does not mean you will “fit” in perfectly.
Keep trying different areas of service. Prayerfully consider what position
you can take, and exercise your gifts.
Academic Training
As Paul wrote to Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and

is useful for teaching…” (2 Timothy 3.16). A major area of your
preparation will be understanding Scripture better so you can, in turn,
teach and lead others. Depending on your specific role in ministry,

you’ll want to be better equipped and educated for your role in ministry.
Schools offer a variety of programs for different roles in ministry,
including: pastors, youth leaders, worship leaders, to name just a few.
The 21st century has revolutionized ministerial training to great effect.
In the past, one would typically leave their current location and move to
a seminary or divinity school to pursue ministerial training. With current
technological advances students can live almost anywhere, and still have
access to some of the best library resources and teaching on the planet.
In fact, entire degrees are completed “online,” which in reality means
you can be “virtually” anywhere. For example, rather than move to a
particular city in a distant state, through the web you can access lecture
material, read books, submit papers, take exams, have group discussions,
and present a sermon or project live.
Of course, many will still move to a new city and pursue ministerial
training full-time in a campus setting. Increasingly, however, many more
will take classes while remaining where they are, particularly at the
graduate study level (ie, masters and doctoral degrees). This convenience
is an important benefit. Some students will work part-time and go to
school full-time, while others may work full-time and go to school part-
time. Your academic training is important, and should be balanced by
other needs like your family and your practical experience.
Whether you are planning on moving to pursue your ministerial
training or whether you will remain in your location, the purpose and
goals are still the same. As someone who will be serving and leading
the body of Christ, you will wisely seek to gain knowledge, expertise,
training, and an overall exposure to the academic elements of your
Christian faith. Your academic training will include courses like:
• Biblical Studies & Languages

• Spiritual Formation
• Evangelism & Missions
• Preaching & Teaching
• Leadership
• Christian Ethics & Worldview
• Church History
• Theology & Philosophy
This education provides an important base of information and

expertise in explaining God’s kingdom, the Gospel message, the life
and times of the Israelites, and the formation and teachings of the
early church. In the 1st Century a major threat to the early church was
false teaching. Paul’s first letter to Timothy begins with instructions on
countering false teachers (1 Timothy 1.3-7). And when Paul writes to
Titus he demands that teachers “must hold firm to the trustworthy word
as taught … give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those
who contradict it” (Titus 1.9).
It is imperative that ministers in churches are adequately prepared
academically in a variety of ways. You’ll want to be informed about the
information in the Bible so you can adequately teach and lead others in
the value of the Bible and its importance and authority. You’ll want to
study Scripture so you can be better equipped for your task in ministry.
These three areas are vital to your ministry preparation. God has
called you into service. Now is the time to begin devoting yourself to
his plans for your life and ministry. You may not know what the future
holds, what role you will play, where you’ll live, or go to school. But, if
you’ll consider these three areas, I am confident God will make clear His
plans for you.
I guess I’m a strange one, but I have to admit there’s never

been a time in my life when I did not know God. He’s simply
always been there for me. There’s never been a time when I didn’t
know that I was called. I’ve always known. I haven’t always been
obedient. But I’ve always known. I simply don’t know what
I would do or who I would be if I were not called to tell others
God’s story of Jesus.
Mike Glenn
Senior Pastor, Brentwood Baptist Church
Brentwood, TN
My Call to Ministry – Where Do I Go

From Here?
Michael Duduit
I ’ll never forget that evening. I was Youth Pastor of a church in Tallahassee,
Florida, and had taken a group of young people on a mission trip to lead
Backyard Bible Clubs for a young church in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.
One night we had arranged to take the whole group into Philadelphia for
a Phillies baseball game.
It was daylight when we got to the ballpark, but well past dark when
the game concluded and we piled onto the bus and lead van to head
back to Downingtown. Somehow – perhaps my keen sense of navi-
gational skills had something to do with it – we got lost in inner city
Philadelphia. We pulled off the highway, pulled out the map, and
discovered an important truth: maps don’t help much unless you
already know where you are! (Needless to say, I was never so glad to
see a flashing blue light behind me as I was that night – the nice officer
helped us get back on the right road and out of our predicament.)
In this chapter, we want to talk a bit about a road map for your
ministry call – where do I go from here? But the best map doesn’t help
if you don’t know where you are now – so I am writing this with the
assumption that you have a sense of God’s call upon your life to serve in
some kind of ministry. The reality is that there are many roads on which
God might take you, and it’s going to be an exciting adventure as you
follow His direction for your life and ministry.
Getting Ready
On any journey, it’s important to make preparations. If your family

was heading out on a big trip, you’d make sure you had the items
necessary for an enjoyable journey – gas for the car, clothes, copies of
your hotel reservations and other arrangements, and so on.
On your journey toward God’s call for your life, it’s vital that you
prepare. That preparation takes many forms.
Be Involved in Your Own Local Church. This goes under the heading: be
faithful where you already are. There are at least two reasons why this is
important. First, you need the fellowship and support of your own faith
community. Your church is the place you worship, enjoy relationships
with fellow believers, find encouragement from others in the joys and
sorrows of life and ministry. Chances are, your church is the place God
is using to help guide you in your own journey to spiritual maturity and
the place from which He has called you to ministry.
Second, one day you will be calling on others to be active and faithful
in their involvement in the local church. Now is your opportunity to
set an example of such faithfulness, and to demonstrate that church
involvement is not simply for those who are paid ministers, but for all
believers.
Look for Ways to Serve. Right now you have a wonderful opportunity to
gain valuable ministry experience in various areas of service. Whatever
your stage in life – still in school, or already working in some other field
– you can begin preparing for a life of ministry by serving right where
you are.
There is no shortage of places that need the help of talented, faithful
believers. In your own church, there are Bible study classes that needs
teachers and leaders, youth and children’s ministries that can use help,
outreach programs that can use committed workers and leaders. Your
own church is a good place to gain useful experience in seeing how
churches work as you assist with things like media and communications
ministries, volunteer as a pastoral care associate, or even help as an usher
or in some other place of service. Some day you may be encouraging
others to take on such roles – why not do it yourself now?
The opportunity for service extends beyond your own church also.
There are likely ministries in your community working with those who
need a helping hand – rescue missions, shelters for abused women,
children’s homes, and many more. You’ll be blessed by your faithful
service in Christ’s name, and the experience you gain will be of great
value in your future ministry.
Begin Your Ministry Education.
An important part of your preparation is the formal part of your

education, which can include your undergraduate degree in a college or
university, plus graduate study in ministry. Such education will provide
a foundation for your lifelong learning experience as a minister of the
gospel.
If you have not yet started your college education, consider your
options carefully when you begin to plan for college. As you prepare
for years of vital ministry service, you will want the best foundation
possible – one that will equip you to learn well, to think critically, and to
communicate effectively.
Many students preparing for ministry will naturally choose to attend
a Christian college or university. Be aware that just because a school has
a church or denominational relationship does not mean that you will
be receiving a Christ-centered higher education. At some schools, that
church relationship means little more than weekly chapel services.
At an authentically Christ-centered college or university, that
commitment will impact every element of life – from the residence
hall to the classroom. You’ll have Christian scholars in the classroom,
integrating insights from a Christian worldview into your academic
disciplines. The application of Christian thinking into varied fields will be

a great model for you as you prepare for the same challenge in your own
ministry.
And as a future pastor or church leader, one of the other benefits of
a Christian college or university is the relationships you will establish
that will stay with you for the rest of your life and ministry. The friend
you make in New Testament class or in the ministerial association may
become a trusted friend and colleague with whom your life will intersect
for decades to come.
One question that many students ask is: if I am going on to seminary,
do I need to major in religion or Christian studies in my bachelor’s
degree? While some students do opt for other majors – such as
history or English, for example – there are real benefits to doing an
undergraduate major in college as well. One benefit is that it provides
a solid basis for later excellence in graduate or seminary programs – in
fact, you can sometimes take advanced courses in seminary in place of
more basic courses you did in a strong Christian Studies program as an
undergraduate. A benefit for those who may delay graduate study is that
their undergraduate program provides the majority of their preparation
for ministry service as they graduate and move into church or other
ministry roles.
Beyond college, many ministers will seek additional preparation
through study at a seminary or graduate school of ministry. Your choice
of schools will depend on many factors: your personal situation and
location, the likely direction of your ministry, your academic interests,
denominational relationships, faculty preferences and more. For example,
I think professors who have actually served full-time in church ministry
positions bring a valuable extra dimension to the classroom – as you
prepare for ministry, it can be a great advantage to study with those who
have “been there, done that.”
Consider carefully the place where you study for ministry – it can
make an enormous difference in your own future service.
Which Road Do I Take?
You have been called and you are seeking to prepare. But then what?
What options are available for persons in ministry in the 21st century?
Of course, the most important factor is the call of God on your life
and the direction He leads you. But part of that direction can come
from an understanding of the many different types of ministry service
in which people serve today. The reality is that there are multiplied ways
in which you may be called to serve, based on your gifts, training and
experience.
The best-known ministry role to most of us is the role of Pastor
(or, in the larger church, the Senior or Lead Pastor). Since New
Testament days, the pastor of a congregation has served as the shepherd,
preacher, and leader of a local congregation of believers. In small
churches the pastor may be the only paid staff position. (And in very
small congregations, the pastor may be unpaid or may be bi-vocational
– in that situation, the primary income may come from another job or
vocation, and the pastoral service is considered part-time employment.)
In larger congregations, the senior pastor may be the leader among
multiple paid staff positions, and has a primary focus on things like
preaching and leadership, with many other ministry duties delegated to
various other pastors and staff members.
One particular type of pastor is the Church Planter. This is the
pastor who “plants” or starts a new church, sometimes as a solo staff
member and other times as part of a team. With the importance of
starting new church work today, the church planter has become an
extremely critical position. Some church planters work under the
sponsorship of another congregation, or even a denominational agency;
others plant new work independently of other churches or groups.
The work of the church planter is challenging – many new churches
do not survive, while others thrive and become great bases for ministry
outreach. If God calls you to be a church planter, you’ll work hard but
find many rewards.
As churches grow in size, many churches add a position typically
known as the Executive Pastor. The executive pastor takes a variety of
administrative responsibilities off the senior pastor. For example, the
executive pastor will probably serve as the primary administrative officer
of the church, coordinator of the staff, and liaison to many of the
committees and other church leaders. Sometimes churches will have a
similar position known as the church business administrator; often such
a position is filled by a lay leader who has worked in business and has
now shifted to a church-related role.

Some churches have pastoral staff positions linked to specific age
groups. For example, a Youth Pastor or Minister of Youth is often
the second or third staff position a church adds, which is evidence of
what an emphasis many churches put on ministry to their students. A
staff position that is growing rapidly in popularity is the Minister to
Children; there appear to be far more churches interested in hiring
such a staff person than there are ministers trained in this area. Larger
churches often have pastoral staff positions directing work with various
adult groups, such as single adults, young families, median adults, and
senior adults. An older model – but still used in some churches – is the
position of Minister of Education, who coordinates the educational
ministries of the church across age groups. A newer approach is to have
a Minister of Discipleship who helps coordinate the work of Sunday
School, small groups, and other ministries relating to growing mature
disciples within the church.
The Minister of Music or Worship Leader is a role found in most
churches, whether as a full-time staff position or a part-time or volunteer
role. This leader not only leads congregational worship through music,
but also coordinates the work of accompanists, ensembles, age-graded
choirs and other music-related ministries. In smaller churches the
worship leader often helps with coordination of media tools used in
worship; in larger churches, the Media Minister position is beginning to
emerge as an important role, given the increasing presence of video and
other media resources in worship.
There are many ministries that are not located within a single
congregation, but work in roles that partner with local churches. For
example, Missionaries are called to carry the gospel to specific areas.
International missionaries are sent to evangelize, plant churches, or
minister to other needs in locations outside the United States. There are
also home missionaries who serve in a variety of roles within the U.S.,
such as seaport ministries, resort ministries, urban ministries and many
more.
Pastoral Counselors sometimes work within a specific church,
but often serve in counseling centers or ministry settings apart from a
specific congregation. Chaplains minister to people in settings like the
military or in hospitals; military chaplains are typically commissioned
officers in one of the armed services, and they receive their ministerial
training prior to enlistment. There is also an increasing demand for

chaplains to work in industrial or corporate settings, ministering to the
needs of employees of that organization.
Evangelists are typically independent of a specific congregation, but
find themselves preaching and leading programs in many churches each
year. Although fewer churches today hold traditional revivals – which
was the primary emphasis of vocational evangelists a generation ago –
now many evangelists have developed a ministry dealing with specific
needs within churches (such as families, youth, or other issues) and they
carry out their evangelistic ministries through these new approaches.
Some ministers ultimately fulfill their calling by working with many
churches through service as Denominational Staff at the local, state
or national level. Within Southern Baptist life, for example, there are
ministers who
• lead local associations of churches

• provide consulting help with churches through state
conventions
• offer help and training for church planters
• lead institutions like children’s homes or homes for the aging
• offer administrative support for missions agencies
• minister to church leaders through publishing and media
and many more possibilities. The 21st century will bring with it new roles
and possibilities as the church and culture experience continuous change.
Finally, I would be remiss in not including Faculty and Teachers in
Christian colleges, universities, seminaries and other schools. Those of us
who have written this booklet have each sensed God’s call to minister to
students through the classroom, equipping new generations of Christian
ministers and leaders. Many of us came to the classroom following years
of service in local churches as pastors, Christian educators and other
roles. We believe that the church and the Christian college should be
partners in the Kingdom task of equipping those whom God has called.
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some
to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of
God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness
of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV)
Wherever God leads you in ministry, hold firm to the assurance of
His call. Where He calls you, He will go with you. And, ultimately, that is
all that matters.
Learn Leadership and Apply Biblical

Foundations to Practical and
Effective Ministry
S olidly biblical. Intensely practical. The College of Christian Studies

at Anderson University offers academic excellence in programs that
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Preparing for ministry? You will find an exceptional level of preparation
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ministry position right after college, you’ll find AU offers a solid foundation
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Even if you’re not entering vocational ministry but you’d still like to
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Undergraduate majors in Christian Theology and Christian Ministry and
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Preparing You to Lead and Serve
Anderson University alumni are serving the Kingdom of God in

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Study in the College of Christian Studies at AU will equip you to take
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What is the College of Christian Studies?
The College of Christian Studies at Anderson University was created in

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enhancing your training, you will find a program that meets your needs.
The dean of the College is Dr. Michael Duduit, Professor of Christian
Ministry, who is founding editor of Preaching magazine and has spent more
than two decades equipping pastors and church leaders for more effective
service. His weekly newsletter, Preaching Now, goes to more than 30,000
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Anderson University is an accredited university affiliated with the
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The University is located in the city of Anderson in the Upstate region
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Start Your Training at Anderson
Our outstanding undergraduate majors include Christian Theology

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All undergraduates in the College of Christian Studies share in a core of

foundational courses:
• Ministry Practicums
• Old Testament Survey
• New Testament Survey
• Hermeneutics (Biblical Interpretation)
• Systematic Theology
• History of Christianity
• Introduction to Ministry
• Senior Seminar
Choose the degree program that’s right for you:
•Bachelor of Christian Studies (100% online)
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Study completely online with our accredited Bachelor of Christian

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The BCS is designed to assist adult learners in receive their undergraduate

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The Fast Track BA + M.Div.

The Fast Track BA + M.Div. allows a strong student to apply up to
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M.Div. in as little as 5 to 6 years.
The Master of Ministry Degree

Once you have your bachelor’s degree completed, you can pursue
additional training through our practical, leadership-based master’s
program on campus or online. The 42-hour Master of Ministry starts
with a biblical-theological foundation: a study of the Old and New
Testament, plus learning how to use the best tools to work with scripture
and the skills needed for preaching and teaching God’s Word. There’s
study in theology and church history, as well as courses that deal with
Christian worldview and apologetics, pastoral ministry, and more.
The Master of Divinity Degree

The M.Div. is the traditional graduate theological degree for ministers.
The Clamp Master of Divinity is a 75-hour degree program that offers
great flexibility, combined with academic excellence and equipping for
effective kingdom service. Whether you are seeking a more traditional
classroom experience or a more flexible online program – or some of
each – our degree helps you craft the program that fits your needs and
schedule.
The Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Preaching Degree

The D.Min. program is designed to enhance the practice of ministry
among Christian leaders, with a particular focus on helping pastors
enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of preaching. The goal is
to equip Christian ministers for faithful service at a level of excellence.
Contact Us
We would love to talk with you more about any of our programs. Visit
us at auministry.com or email us at ministry@auministry.com, or contact
us at 864.328.1809.
CALLED
What defining characteristic did Moses, Gideon, and even Paul
have in common? They all had significant questions as God
began to speak into their lives and call them into His Service.
Moses questioned his ability to serve. Gideon questioned the
validity of the call and Paul questioned the preconceived notions
of what was possible for God’s church. If you want to see God
work in your life as He did in the lives of Moses, Gideon and
Paul, then say with Isaiah, “Here am I, Lord, send me!”
What is a call to ministry? How do you know when you’ve been

called? What first steps should you take? Called is a valuable
resource for anyone considering serving in ministry. In this brief
book, the faculty of the College of Christian Studies at Anderson
University will help you think through the concept of a call to
ministry, and how to explore implications of that call in your life.
As you consider God’s calling on your life and ministry, take

a look at what Anderson University has to offer. Our ministry
students find an exceptional level of preparation, with a
committed faculty who link classroom and real-life experience.
Whether you are planting a church, leading a ministry, or
going on for additional education, you’ll find AU offers a solid
foundation and an outstanding opportunity for practical training.
For more information about our programs, visit auministry.com

or call 864.328.1809.
College of
Christian Studies
ANDERSON
U N I V E R S I T Y

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CALLED

Understanding the Call to Ministr y

Called | Understanding the Call to Ministry

A publication of AUMinistry Press, a ministry of the College of Christian Studies of

W hat does it mean to be called into ministry?

“I preached at campfire tonight—I didn’t get to run through

College of Christian Studies

You can also visit our website auministry.com. You’ll find a

Dr. Bob Cline is Vice President for Christian Life at Anderson

Dr. Bryan Cribb is Associate Professor of Christian Studies at

Dr. Michael Duduit is founding Dean of the College of Christian

Dr. Charles Fuller is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at

Dr. Ryan Neal is Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson

The Joy of Ministry

I have a special phrase posted near the top of my Facebook

Relationships along the way

No matter the form or style of your ministry, relationships are

truth is realized as you discover everything He says is real and everything

Putting your gifts to work

Seeing life transformation happen

My call to ministry is somewhat unusual and in fact, some

What is a Call to Ministry?

General and Specific Call

Brave and Mighty Warrior

Interrupting the Silence

The stranger’s confident voice interrupted Gideon’s silence. “The

coward, or a frightened father. But as much as the label “brave and

“Am I Not Sending You?”

The stranger walked over to the winepress and spoke to Gideon:

The mysterious stranger interrupts Gideon’s excuses. With a note of

Remember that God’s perspective is different. He isn’t looking at what

The Lord is with you, skilled teacher.

The Lord is with you, kind comforter.

The Lord is with you, gentle shepherd.

The Lord is with you, student pastor.

The Lord is with you, vocational missionary.

The Lord is with you, church planter.

The Call of God

What is the call of God? The specific call of God acknowledges

I was born and raised in South Africa. After an adventurous

How Do You Know if You Are Called to

W ithout hesitation he replied, “If you can do anything else and be

He did not mean to frighten or discourage me. He meant to refine me

I don’t see how anyone could survive in the ministry if he felt it

me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Whatever you may think of it, I have had a definite and

If any student . . . could be content to be a newspaper editor, or

This internal compulsion to enter ministry, though, must not be

I knew I was called to “preach the Gospel” as I began to be

All of us are prone to misinterpret our feelings and experiences, so

personality issues that might stifle his effectiveness. Personally, I feared

•Identifying specific flaws in character that, if not purged, would

• Detecting spiritual maturity and overall readiness for service.

• Discerning what gifts for ministry a person possesses, and

• Refining skills in leadership and working with people.

• Developing skills in preaching and public communication.

• Gaining experience in teaching and pastoral ministries.

What comes first, the compulsion or the confirmation?

In many cases, the internal compulsion precedes the external

it was a moment of great celebration. The internal call and external