Called to preach??

I think the word "ministry" is a bit overworked today. I also believe many are going into ministry who were never called to one of the five-fold ministry gifts. Some years back, the Lord laid upon my heart certain things to think about and evaluate before seriously going into the ministry.

1. Loving to study, pray, witness, etc, are not the signs of the five-fold ministry gifts. These are all to be a normal christian experience. We see so few people who are on "fire" that when is we automatically assume they have been called to preach. All Christians should be on fire and zealous of the Lord. 

2. Never mistake natural zeal in salvation for being called to preach.

3. What is God calling you to do?
       i. Is it to pioneer a church?
       ii. Is it to be a supporting role at your existing church?
       iii. Is it to evangelize?
When God calls he always has a plan and there will be a time of development. This requires the person to find the answer through prayer.

4.  Remember that a person in position is held to a higher place of accountability.
James 3:1 (KJV)
¹ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

5.  The word desire in the following verse is not a mere whim but rather an irrepressible desire. No one will be able to talk you out of this calling.
1 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)
¹ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.



6. Forget thinking that somehow being a minister is glamorous. The following explains that we as minsters are walking in a world surrounded by ravenous people ready to destroy us.
Matthew 10:16 (KJV)
¹⁶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.


7. The ministry is not a place for the lazy to hide out because of seeing some sort of occupation of cheap effort paying great dividends of a title that demands respect from all others. Paul referred many times to the ministry as a labor and work. On several occasions Greek word was used that was synonymous with agony.

8. Operating outside of one's calling will lead to ineffectiveness and even confusion. Nothing sadder than a person who was called to lead worship but instead is pastoring. When a person has been called to preach, there should be an evidence when they speak that it is a gift. Too many pulpits are filled with men and women who have no unction when it comes to speaking. 

If you have sensed God's call upon your life, then pray and confirm God's direction and timing for your life and ministry. If God appoints, he will anoint. If he has given a function he will give an unction.