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]1This 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]1There 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.
Word Count: 604
Bibliography
Allen, Jason K.1Discerning Your Call to Ministry.Chicago, IL: Moody
Publishers, 2016.
Dever, Mark.1Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Publishers, 2013.
Whitney, Donald S.1Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress, 2014.
[1]1Jason Allen.1Discerning Your Call to Ministry.(Chicago, IL: Moody
Publishers, 2016)
[2]1Donald S. Whitney.1Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.(Colorado
Springs, CO: NavPress, 2014) 20.
[3]1Mark Dever.1Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.(Wheaton, IL: Crossways
Publishers, 2013) 476.
