Steps to Follow...When You Feel Called

Steps to Follow...When You Feel Called

1. PRAY
You probably have been – that’s how you came to feel called in the first place. But don’t stop. God will continue leading you after you decide that God is calling you!

Click here to hear a testimony from a family about their calling to ministry, where their prayers led them, and what they had to struggle with.

2. READ
Namely, the Bible. Here are links for a ten-week Bible study directed towards those sensing a calling to ministry: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10

3. TELL YOUR FAMILY
Your spouse or others closest to you need to know. You may be fearful or anxious about telling your family, especially if you are unsure of whether or not they will be supportive. But there must be open communication with your family about the calling that you are sensing. You wouldn’t want a calling to ministry to cause a breach of trust in your family because you waited too long to say something.

4. TALK TO THE PASTOR OF YOUR CHURCH
You may be surprised how many people neglect doing this and miss out on a rich storehouse of information, resources, and encouragement. Pastors and ministers have answered the calling themselves, and they can relate to what you are sensing. Your pastor can help get you plugged into ministries, and will help communicate your calling to the church body.

5. TALK TO A TRUSTED MINISTER ABOUT MENTORING YOU
This may or may not be your current pastor. Seek the guidance and mentorship of an experienced and trusted minister. Be aware that “mentoring” should be a very intentional process and relationship by which you can learn, grow, and reflect.

Click on the following links for some very simple and user-friendly resources about intentional mentoring: Getting Started, Invitation to Mentor, Guide for Mentors, Accountability Form, 1st Month/Meeting, 2nd Month/Meeting, 3rd Month/Meeting, 4th Month/Meeting, 5th Month/Meeting, 6th Month/Meeting

6. EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Your minister and/or mentor will be your greatest resource for this. It may be especially helpful for you to talk to other adults like yourself who felt the same calling at the same stage in life. Ask about different paths…seminary is not your only option, nor is it for everyone. Full-time vocational ministry is not your only option either.

Click here to read about hundreds of other “ministry paths” that people have followed. Also, for Frequently Asked Questions about the calling to ministry, click here.

If you are considering seminary, you may be surprised how many seminary students are not coming directly out of college. In the 251 schools associated with ATS (Association of Theological Schools) in 2004, 25% of all students were in their 30s, 24% were in their 40s, 16% were 50-64, and 2% were 65 and older. In other words, over 2/3 of ATS seminary students are 30 or older. Gender make-up may surprise you also. The national percentage of female seminary students is 36%, but a number of individual schools have roughly a 50-50 split.

7. DECIDE and COMMIT
It will be important for you to make concrete decisions about where you’re going next. “Throwing around the idea” of going into ministry only lasts so long before it becomes procrastination and keeps you from responding to God.

8. BE PATIENT – AND OF GOOD COURAGE
In the Bible, God does not have a history of giving people all the specifics up front. (Genesis 12.1; Exodus 3.10-14; 1 Samuel 3.10-11; Jeremiah 1.4-7; Matthew 4.19). Be prepared for God to guide you one step at a time, towards an end that you may not see.God is calling, and you are answering! Let yourself be excited and energized by God’s leading in your life. You are not alone – many just like you have answered the calling, and there is plenty of help and support available for you.