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I spent 3 years of my life in a Fundamental Baptist Bible College in Boston, MA. During that time, I heard much talk from the Chapel pulpit, the Homeletics class room, during "Missions Emphasis Weeks" about THE call of God on someones life. I have to admit, I was confused. I honestly couldnt tell you one instance that I sensed this mystical "call" into some kind of Ministry. Yet, during emotionally charged altar calls, gallons of tears were shed in the name of surrender to the God we worshipped promising the willingness to go to the least desireable place on the face of the Earth just to prove themselves to Him. Again, many experienced this magical "call" before Seminary in their home Church.......could they just get up and go perform their ministry that God had apparently called them to? Not on their life, not before they were to attend that particular denominations Seminary, not before they used the correct translation of the Bible, not before they spent YEARS on deputation raising the $$$$$ needed to undertake this endevor.
Sometimes I believe that the pursuit of the mystical "call to the ministry" is just for that, the pursuit. After all, in an IC, it makes the candidate a local hero. I don't mean to be so cynical, however, many a good man or woman has been made to feel as a second class citizen in the Kingdom because they havnt had "the call"......even though they are more than examples of the true Priesthood of believers. THE call? Don't believe it happens.......EVERYONE who names the name of Christ is "called"........believe me, that is such a liberating concept! Think of it.....you dont need someones blessing, ordination, approval to minister in Christ's name. You dont need their $$$$, their nod or their denominational name to be considered "serious" about working for Christ. God called certain people at certain times throughout the Bible to accomplish SPECIFIC tasks. Other than that........we have liberty in Christ to serve Christ.......
Blessings, Mike
rothamerica
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Mike:
The experiences that you've had proven that Jesus was non-denominational. You DON'T need seminary, some bishop or some fancy ordination to serve in the capacity of minister. We are ALL ministers, yet some are called to serve in a higher capacity, that of preacher and teacher. All you need is The Word, and a fundemental education about what's inside, plus the blessing of those that you are willing to serve.
Bible colleges do have there place. They can create a mentor situation that can help you to learn other aspects of preaching and discipleship that one may not learn on a day to day basis. But, the important thing is that, when God calls...GO!
I am presently taking courses from OABS (Online Academy of Biblical Studies). It is sponsored by the Phillips Street church of Christ in Dyersburg, Tennessee. There is no cost, save for any books I may need, and there is a 4 year commitment. But, I can still preach and witness in my community and my congregation while I get my certificate. It is the best of all worlds for me.
So, take heed, my brother, You can do everything that God is calling you for...right now...without all of the "hierarchy" involved. I pray that Christ will guide your footsteps along His path, as you seek to do His will. Blessings to you. - Scott Roth
braveheart
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Years ago standing in the kitchen of our country home in Tonasket Washington the Lord spoke to my heart He said "seminary is of men. I can raise you up and i can take you out." It was earth shattering. And when shared with a few friends that statement created anger much like the anger that Cane had toward Abel i imagine. I believe that word of God says that unless we become like children, and that the mysteries of the Kingdom are hidden from the wise and prudent, that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and that there are men that are forever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth. The wisdom of God is much like the sands of the ocean, the more we clutch it in our hand the quicker is slips away or even better like the wind, it goes and comes as it may. I heard a brother say that we are simply a conduit for God. Think about it............. a conduit is simply a passage for the power to move through.
Several years ago when i was reading a book about keith green my eye was drawn to a picture of him at the piano with hundreds of youth kneeling around him. His face was facing heaven and it was shining almost. The Lord spoke and said "lightning rod". It is not of us! But we are used when our hearts are stretched towards heaven, it is then others are touched by God. It just flows through us. It is just passing through. Once you understand that it makes sense that it is learned not in a class room but when we worship Him.
Idealistic? Simplistic? Yep.............. so simple that only a child can understand.
marcie
Link
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I don't think we should dismiss the fact that other people believe God has called them to a particular ministry. Paul was called to be an apostle.
I do think many churches have erred by emphasizing this concept of 'the call' in a way the scripture doesn't not. The lists of requiremetns for a church overseer in the Bible don't list 'the call.' Yet many churches put a man in charge of their congregation, even if he doesn't fit the Biblical qualifications, just because he claims to be 'called to preach.'
Of course, preaching and being an overseer in the household of faith are two different ministries. But some think a call to preach qualifies them for any type of church ministry. An overseer should be apt to teach, but not all teachers and evangelistic preachers are qualified to be overseers of the church.
I Peter 4 commands believers to use their gifts faithfully. For those who haven't had the mystical call experience at the carpeted wooden box in the steeplehouse known as 'the altar', they can find a call right there in that chapter. It tells us that everyone should minister his gift faithfully as a good steward of the grace ofr God. If someone is gifted to teach, the Bible tells him to teach. That is a call enough in itself.
Be that as it may, there are people who do hear God tell them specific things they should do in life. We shouldn't dismiss this. God can talk to people. The problem is in exalting certain preachers experience of being 'called' into a doctrine, and expecting every minister of the Gospel's experience to conform to theirs.
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