When Someone Feels “Called”

Occasionally pastors and counselors will counsel with people who believe God has called them into what is commonly called vocational ministry. For the past few years I have taught a course at a Christian university on that very subject. It can be a confusing journey or it can be an inspired experience.

I am convinced there are three calls in Scripture. The call to salvation is the one that every born again person receives. I refer to it as the significant call. Next, a person may receive a special call. This is, that deep awareness of the heart that God is directing a person to serve Him in a special capacity as a pastor, missionary, church planter, evangelist, Christian counselor, teacher, or in any number of other special areas of ministry. A call to ministry does not always mean it will be how we make our living. It does mean that we have been chosen by God for special ministry in His kingdom that rises above our regular walk as disciples. The third call a person can receive is the call to a specific ministry. This involves a place of service and a group that will support you in this ministry. An example of this call is when a pastor is called to a particular church.

The most important call is the first one. This is the call that opens up everything else.  There are far too many people who “go into the ministry” who are not really confident and settled in this first call. 

There is an outstanding book entitled Finding The Will of God:  A Pagan Notion? by Dr. Bruce K. Waltke. In it, he basically presents the thesis that we are not called to find the will of God but we are called to prove the will of God as we follow the guidance of God. I believe Romans 12:2 captures this principle, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The truth is every Christian is on a journey. Every Christian is called to be a disciple. A disciple learns from Jesus and follows Jesus. As we do this, our Lord may give us a special call which will certainly involve some type of study and preparation. Then, our God may direct us into a specific area of ministry and place of service. The key is to follow the guidance of God as revealed in His Word, enlightened by His Spirit, and affirmed by His people, the Church.

When we counsel with people struggling with a sense of special or specific calling, we need to help them see the absolute necessity of a real relationship with the living God. We need to guide them into a patient and faithful study of His Word. We need to pray for them earnestly.  They need to know that there are no short cuts to simply obeying God and His truth. By doing this, a person will be led along a providential path prepared by the grace of God.

The sense of call is not profoundly simple but it is simply profound. It is, after all, God who is calling a person and it God that is the key in the process. He communicates with His people primarily through His Word. If we can help a person diligently learn and obey Scripture, they can find great confidence and assurance in the direction God has for their lives. It will always be a matter of faith, but faith is not a blind leap into nothing. It is obeying God’s revealed truth.

James Rudy Gray is certified as a professional counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors, and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He pastors Utica Baptist Church in Seneca, S.C.