I too agree that we should be asking God about our call to ministry. If we do not ask
questions, we will not know what we are supposed to do or where he is taking us. Some
would say that we should not because if he told us what his plan is, we would run the
other way. God is the one who has in mind what he wants us to do and how big he
wants our ministry to be. It will not get big without him because he is going to open
doors that we will not be able to. This is good, in that it keeps us humble in our dealings
and it also makes it impossible for us to take credit for what he has done. There will be
doors that will not open unless God intervenes anyway. The only concept that I did not
agree with is when Allen stated that divorced people are not qualified for ministry. If God
calls us to ministry, if the couple gets divorced and are not saved, then once they come
to the Lord, out of fear that he will judge them or decide to change their life, then I think
that God will use them. I am a pure example of that. After saved, that might be another
new ball of wax. If saved, then people will be accountable for their actions and how they
handled them. c
c I think your summary of Allen’s book is accurate and concise. c I think his book
was a good survey to discern one’s call to ministry. c The call to ministry is a call
to life giving service in the glory and honor a great God. c The few that are truly
called to the ministry shoulder a great burden, of which he will equip us to carry. c
Paul highlights when he wrote, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV). c We are
called to carry the call to ministry in confidence as His ambassador. c We must
faithfully fulfill the ministry of the Word.[1]
c c c c c c c c c c It was really cool to read your testimony of events through the pandemic. c
I believe that as the pandemic falls into history that there will be many other
stories of God calling onto His children to step out and be louder, prouder, and
more faithful in their ministry of His Word. c I know many people who have
experienced an exponential growth and renewed closeness with the Lord during
this pandemic. c I have had patients that the pandemic has been the catalyst that
brought them to the cross and accept Christ as their savior. c Being obedient
makes you a good Christian, and I am glad that the pandemic has helped you
grow in your faith and obedience in Christ.
[1] Jason K. Allen, Discerning Your Call to Ministry (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers,
2016).
