Listen to Others More Than Yourself: The External Call
June 10, 2024
June 10, 2024
Considering the call to pastor is a weighty matter. It should not be done superficially or individualistically.
In our society, where desires, feelings, and self-impressions are authoritative, it is tempting to anchor the call to ministry primarily in our self-assessment. Christians want to point to some “spiritual” experience, perhaps invoking the precedent of Paul’s apostolic calling (Gal. 1:1, 16–17). But is this prudent?
The calling into the apostolic office was unique to the apostles and not prescriptive for subsequent generations of ministry calling.11 . Calvin, Institutes, 4.3.14 Furthermore, the New Testament presents evidence of corporate responsibility in affirming one’s call to ministry. Thus, my aim here is to persuade you to place greater weight on the evaluation of others than your own.
While the desire to serve as a pastor is good (1 Tim. 3:5), it is not sufficient ground, all by itself, to validate God’s call upon someone for at least two reasons.
First, a church must assess and confirm a man’s qualification before installing him in the pastoral office (1 Tim. 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9). Clearly implied is that someone’s call to ministry must be assessed and confirmed by others. Paul even cautions Timothy not to be “hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Tim. 5:22).
Second, God himself involves others to publicly affirm calls to ministry, such as in Acts 13:2–3:
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
It was the Holy Spirit’s idea to have the church of Antioch set apart Paul and Barnabas. The calling of the Holy Spirit, therefore, does not bypass the church’s public affirmation of ministry calling, but enables it. As Calvin said, “What was the purpose of that setting apart and laying on of hands after the Holy Spirit attested his choice, except to preserve church discipline in designating ministers through men?”22 . Institutes 4.3.14
Therefore, consider listening to others more than to yourself because the “external call” is the Holy Spirit’s means to publicly affirm and reassure us of his calling. Such corporate affirmation of God’s calling proves to be essential when we need encouragement to press on amid difficulties (2 Tim. 1:6–7).
Initiate! Tell your pastors how your heart is wrestling with your sense of calling to pastoral ministry. Ask for resources to read and discuss with them.33 . e.g. Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry, especially part II, chapter 6 Invite them to pray for you, observe you, and speak into your life on this matter.
There are some traps to avoid here. Don’t confuse intentionality with entitlement. That is, don’t demand to be observed by the elders, nor come with a sense of having arrived and expect the elders must now give you public ministry opportunities. Instead, let them know of how you are wrestling and follow their lead and pace.
There is a prideful way to listen to others, namely, to get their approval. Instead, combine intentionality with humility. Listen to learn about yourself and not merely to be affirmed. Go in without any preconceived answers you hope to hear.
It’s easy to let your identity or worth be wrapped up in your aspiration for pastoral ministry. We often have blind spots in assessing our own abilities or readiness, feeling wiser than we really are (Rom. 12:16b). Let others speak to you with candor, even if that means hearing about your shortcomings or unreadiness.
Remember how Moses waited several decades in obscurity before his ministry picked up traction. Don’t circumvent the process by lacking patience. It’s possible to ask for confirmation too hastily or abruptly. If your church is slow in affirming your calling, it’s not wasted time. It might be God’s way of testing if you will submit to his leading.
God has given you a wife to be your helper. So seek her help! You want all the wisdom she has. What’s her assessment of you, your gifts, your character, and the opportunities in front of you? Then listen to her answers, don’t try to steer them in the direction you want her to go. Trust that she is the gift God has given you to help discern his calling for your life.
Hopefully you have around you several mature believers who know you well. Some might even be part of your family. Would any of them be positively or negatively surprised to hear that you are considering the call to ministry? Ask them why or why not.
Do members of your church offer unsolicited feedback regarding the fruitfulness of how you serve them and handle God’s Word, at least in personal conversations or small teaching roles? A congregation of believers should be able to observe your godliness and giftedness in ministering to others.
While it’s helpful to listen to church members or people who know you well, you should prioritize listening to those who also know the ministry well. They know the various facets of pastoral ministry and the burdens that belong to it. Hopefully you are in a church where the pastors have a healthy and robust understanding of their office.
Engage them early in the process of discerning God’s call. Allow them time to observe you. Don’t reach out only when you need them to write that reference letter for a seminary application. Offer to be a pastoral intern (even if unpaid) so you can be closer to your pastors and better observed.
The bottom line is, the call to ministry is not merely a self-assessment or individual decision; God designed his church to be involved in publicly affirming those whom he calls to the pastoral office, so listen to them more than to yourself.