The main idea in Jason Allen’s book Discerning Your Call to Ministry is directly
and simply stated in the title: How to determine the call that God has placed on
the life of the Christian reader for Ministry. Allen clarifies in the beginning that all
Christians are called to minister. This is clearly addressed by Jesus in the Great
Commission when he tells his followers to go and make disciples. Allen continues
past this statement to clarify that some Christians are called to ministry, or to a
“vocation [with a] direct ministry component to it,” while still some others are
called to “the ministry,” meaning a full-time ministry position, such as a pastor.1
After setting the stage for book’s goal, Allen uses ten questions to assist the
reader in determining whether they are truly called into the ministry. The questions
asked are poignant and directed to help the reader move through the steps of
determining the call, beginning with whether the reader has a desire for the
ministry, increasing in intensity through the ending with addressing his willingness
to surrender, to the point of being willing to “follow God's call wherever it may
lead.”2 Through the course of the work, Allen does a fantastic job of directing the
reader to the heart of the matter at the center of each question, and encouraging
him to address the reality of the call on his life. Aside from one major detail, my
calling has been similar to what Allen promotes.
c c c c c c c c c c I believe that I was called to ministry during my training of the US Army
Special Forces when I met a passionate Christian who first introduced me to
Christ and the Bible. From that time on the calling only grew louder, through my
BA in Biblical Studies, my MDIV, and my Chaplaincy internship and residency. My
Christian journey has not always been easy or efficient, but as I continue to follow
that once faint call, it continues to grow louder and I continue to grow more
resilient in my relationship with Jesus Christ.
Allen, Jason K. Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know for Sure and What
to Do About It. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016.
