I definitely identify with your “fear response” to the perception of your call to
ministry. I had an identical response. The difference is that, in my case, I felt this
way because I was trained to take traditional ministry as something that is deathly-
serious—something with which one is not to tamper. I am sure you did, as well.
Still, in my case, I am convinced that my fears extended beyond the normal. In
time, I was able to find out why.
I now believe I reacted so strongly because I was not called to traditional, pulpit
ministry but to something that appears to bear some very close parallels. In the
first place, it is clear that I have been gifted with teaching. Additionally, I have a
strong ability to perform expository preaching. However, this is accompanied by a
persistent lack of desire to pursue pastorship or the like. (It is confusing and still
being revealed.) Secondly (in this regard), I am not certain that I am fully
scripturally qualified.
In our text, Allen discusses the matter of affirmation by one’s church.[1] The
problem with my culture is that it is seriously doubtful that anyone would ever not
affirm someone’s desire to preach. That is a problem. Thus, for environments like
mine, it is exceptionally important to work such matters out strictly by Scripture, as
with all other matters of life.
Bibliography
Allen, Jason K. Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What
to Do About It. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.
[1] Jason K. Allen, Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and
What to Do About It (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.), Ch./Question #5.
