Allen makes it clear from his introduction that there are three different types of
calls in one’s life: a call to minister, a call to ministry, and a call to the ministry.
His basis for discerning a call to the ministry is to compare our lives and attitudes
to that of the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3. The 10 questions one must ask
themselves are, in my opinion, broken into two sections. Chapters one through
three deal with the private ministry to self and family. Subjects such as desire,
character, and family are talked about. These are matters that people in the
church do not see and require some self-reflection on the individual. The second
half is more about public ministry to the Church and mission. Subjects such as
teaching, church affirmation, love of people, fruitful ministry, and defending the
faith are discussed.
Allen’s main point to be summed up is when he simply says, “Clearly this is the
biblical pattern—God calls, God commissions.”[1] This idea is the base for calling.
Ultimately God is the one that calls a person to the ministry, and He commissions
them as well. While certain characteristics, qualities, and affirmations can help
discern that call it is ultimately an act of the Spirit; He makes us new. As Whitney
says, “The presence of the Holy Spirit causes all those in whom He resides to
have new holy hunger they didn’t have before.”[2]
My call to ministry had some aspects to what Allen discusses; however, it mostly
stems from what Whitney says about new hunger. God put within me a new heart
and a new hunger for His word, for the Great Commission, and new practices.
There were some of Allen’s aspects in my call. As I stepped up in the church to
help many around me affirmed what they saw as a calling to the ministry.
However, there were some subjective aspects of my call as well. My desire for
student ministry over a lead pastoral role was a subjective aspect of my call. I still
have a passion for seeing students’ lives transformed by the grace of Christ.
I do believe that is healthy, in some regard, to question one’s call to ministry. This
is because of how vital the leadership role of the pastor is to the health of
everyone in their fold. Even Dever says to be aware of human leadership in a
fallen world. He says, “Recognizing the fallen nature of human authority and the
fact that authority can be abused is a good and healthy thing.”[3] There needs to
be a deep inspection of one’s heart. Asking honest questions such as “Why do I
really want to do this?”, “Is my life reflected of 1 Timothy 3?”, and “Am I willing to
surrender everything I hold dear for the cause of Christ?” are important before
stepping into a ministry role. So, questioning that call and discerning if it is from
God or self is incredibly important to not only the individual but the future flock
God would entrust to them.
Bibliography
Allen, Jason K. Discerning Your Call to Ministry. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers,
2016.
Dever, Mark. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers,
2013.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO:
NavPress, 2014.
[1] Jason Allen. Discerning Your Call to Ministry. (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers,
2016)
[2] Donald S. Whitney. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. (Colorado Springs,
CO: NavPress, 2014) 20.
[3] Mark Dever. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. (Wheaton, IL: Crossways
Publishers, 2013) 476.
