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Hey soldiers in the Lord's army, whose weapons are not carnal,
I do not recall on this forum a recent discussion of the "call to preach." Like so many issues, there are Bible passages which appear to be contradictory. Emphasis on the "appear."
God's calling is sometimes taken for one's vocation or station in life. Others see it as a real-time act of God convincing a person of their duty to proclaim the gospel "full time."
Furthermore, "calling" also applies to salvation. "Rom. 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." This seems to be more than a summons, at least to some.
Conventional wisdom speaks of God's call to someone to enter the pastorate, not to mention pastoral calls to other churches, usually larger ones.
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"Called?" Here is where I must ask for your forgivenes because I may come across the way that most would deem inappropiate. Now, with the caveat in place....
I ernestly believe that God is calling all Christians everywhere, all of the time! We are to be His servants and accomplish the tasks that He wants us to do. Not because He could not miraculously or through the agency of His angels accomplish the task. But because He wants us to share in the joy of the work. He wants us to be a partner with Him in His eternal harvest. He wants to put His arm around our shoulder, wave His hand from the left to the right from the throne and say "look what we did, thanks for the help!" If a man* hears a powerful call to the 'Ministry'. It is God asking him* to get busy seeking God's will in regards to something that that man* is supposed to perform. It isn't standing on a stage in front of a crowd (Unless you are called to be a comedian or an actor), but to intevene in the affairs of mankind for the eternal glory of God. *[man or woman-Thought I had better add that before I incur wrath :^) ]
I remember in the old IC days, the big push to get people to work in the "Church". Now I understand why. I don't believe that God calls people to initiate or maintain a system of Religion that He does not agree with or indorse!
Well, I probably really 'stepped in it' now. So I will await my chastisment quitely... Your brother in Christ, Ed
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Hi David and Ed, One thing that God never calls the church is His "army"! It is a tilled field, a temple, a building, a habitation of God, a body etc but not an army.
As to a "call to preach", I believe that such teaching has been given far too much "air time"! It maintains a distinction between those who have been "called to preach" and those who have not (clergy and laity!)
I once heard a missionary challenge his hearers with these words:"If you have not been called by God to stay at home and do what you are doing, you should be a missionary going into all the world preaching the gospel!"
Who says that some Christians are called and some aren't???
All are called to the fellowship of God's Son (I Cor.1:9) all are called to holiness (I Thess.4:7)etc.
It seems that God is far more interested in calling His people to BE what He wants them to BE than to DO this or that.
Your brother in Christ, Bruce Woodford
David Anderson
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Good points, Ed and Bruce. Not much I can add. When I set these forums up, I put the name "Call to the Ministry" in quotes as it is indeed an urban legend as used today, imho.
Ministry is the business of every saint, regardless of age or gender. Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant (MINISTER) of all.
Prior to our generation, one's career was considered his calling. Folks back then had more of a God-centered perspective about life, work, and providence. Even natural disasters were known as "acts of God."
1 Cor. 7:20-22 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
As you have stated the phrases about "call to the ministry" or "call to preach" are indeed problematic and misleading.
Every believer is called to be a Disciple of Christ. Jesus says to us in Luke 4: 18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." This sounds like the work for the House Church is cut out for us. Many have been wounded and hurt by the legalistic doctrines of the church. Just as in the denomination I was apart of for almost fifty years, pastored 20+ years. The church Discipline would override the Word of God. That is sin. Oh that we would guard our House Churches that they would be havens where those who have been beaten, battered and broken by the world, self inflictions or the church can come in and find a love and compassion and be introduced to the real Jesus who is filled with love and compassion. I believe Jesus is calling our House Church to reach the people Jesus is talking about in Luke 14: 21 "So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' 22 "And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' 23 "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. I then believe the lost will be drawn to our Acts church of today as, Acts 4:29 "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
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How pleasant on the mountains are the feet of them that bring good news. Posters here are not common place folks. You are anointed of God to do the work of the ministry. Anointing to me means the power of God to do what He's called you to do. Praise God. We simply must go back to the Bible, what it says do, we do. What is not there must not be a part of our ministry either, no matter how much "wisdom" the traditions of men seem to have. We simply must do it God's way to acheive God's kind of results. God wants every part of the Body ministering. In my experience, that happens best in home meetings. Everyone is at liberty to move and have their being in Him, and to nuture and edify one another. One has a psalm, another a testimony while yet another has a Word from God and another has a hymn. All led by the Spirit, all in harmony of the Word of God. Everyone who dines is satisfied. It is exciting to participate, and to talk about in the highways and biways. Listners are intrigued and very likely to come and see that the Lord is good.
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