posted
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.
posted
"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
posted
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
posted
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.
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