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Called by God?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by thegospelgeek, May 12, 2010.

  1. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    Over on the missionary forum some folks are talking about being "Called by God". Now most here would agree that a Preacher or Pastor is called by God to do the work set before him. A few questions;

    Is the position of Pastor to be called by God?

    What about Deacons?

    And of course, what about other positions in the church, Sunday School teachers, trustees, janitors, etc.?
     
  2. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    I think every christian has a calling by God on their life to do something for God. I don't think anyone is excluded. A missionary has a calling on their life to be a missionary a homemaker has a calling on their life to be a homemaker.
     
  3. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    I agree, but what scripture can you offer as support. I know a man who states that Deacons do not need to be called because the bible says "Those who desire the office"
     
  4. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    I think that, while ministry is a very special vocation, the call to ministry is not in some special category by itself. God calls Christians to be pastors, missionaries, teachers, musicians, plumbers, etc.

    I also think that ministry can be something one is called to for a specific time, before moving to something else. It's not a lifelong call to a specific Christian vocation.
     
  5. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    I usually go to 1 Corinthians 12
    then the verse you are talking about is taken out of context
    Its a command to desire the greater gifts not what ever you desire. Then he goes on to say
    Well which way is that? Well he says
    to love. This is the greater way. So we are commanded to desire love of others.
     
  6. RAdam

    RAdam New Member

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    I disagree. I think the ministry is a lifelong work. God calls, fits, and educates His ministers, not to someday lay down their work, but to continue their course, fight a good fight, and keep the faith.
     
  7. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    I think I agree with the premise, but there are other things people can do as trained ministers. They can go into parachurch organizations, teach college or seminary, etc. I'm called, equipped, trained to be a teacher, but with the training I have, I could later be called to educational administration, full-time ministry, music ministry, higher education, applied music, etc.

    Most of the time, it does seem to work as you describe, and I do believe that a minister needs to be properly trained in the necessary disciplines.

    Blessings.
     
  8. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I believe this "call" so many missionaries and pastors say they receive is a strong desire to enter the ministry. When Paul laid out the requirements for elders he stated such desire in the office along with the requirements.
     
  9. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    It seams to me that those verses tend to say little about a call. I can see where they may be an inverse call, which supports that a call does exist.
     
  10. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    Are you saying that if you are qualified and have the desire to do so you should? Or are you saying that this "call" is the strong desire to perform that action?

    As far a desire goes, looking at my case, in one way I had no desire at all. I was scared to death, yet on the other hand God refused to let me away from what he wanted. Somewhat like Jonah with different circumstances.
     
  11. Thinkingstuff

    Thinkingstuff Active Member

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    couple those verses with Eph 2:10
    and I think you get an idea of a calling.
     
  12. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Yes.
    Yes...I don't see them as being mutually exclusive of one another.
    Interesting, but I think He will eventually get your will to coincide with his. Jonah had no intention of being obedient but God made it so he desired to do His will. I think there are many men today that had the desire to teach and be a leader in a church...and met all the qualifications...but due to "outside interference" (satan) had fears and doubts and never fulfilled what God wanted them to do. I believe He allows some to stay in this hardness pattern and others He persuades more along the lines of Jonah and yourself.
     
  13. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    I can't imagine someone wanting to stay in the pattern. You are correct, I do enjoy it most time now, except for time when I get scared to death!
     
  14. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    Do you agree with thinkingstuff, that everything we do is a call from God?
     
  15. RAdam

    RAdam New Member

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    Having a desire to preach the word of God is not like having a desire to, say, eat ice cream. This desire is something different. Jeremiah spoke of it as a burning within him, that he could not get rid of. Preaching God's word, when He blesses, is a wonderful thing and it is very pleasing to be His instrument He uses to comfort His people. However, it is, above all, a frightful thing. That is one reason the bible says a preacher must be sober. This is serious business. This is God's word. One thing that worries me is preaching something that is in error. Thus, I spend much time in study to try to prevent that from taking place.

    Preaching is something enjoyable, but it is also scary. I've had people tell me that I didn't seem nervous. I told them I was when I stepped up there, but God took care of me. Preaching, true God called preaching, is unlike anything else.
     
  16. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Any Christian who follows the will of God is called. Thus a plumber, a electrician, a store clerk, a garbage man, etc. may be following his call ... and each of these people can be an influence for God and a witness to Christ regardless of where they are.

    The ministers call is to prepare the ministers in his/her church to be ministers in and to the world. The congregation, the other ministers, are to minister to the those where they work, play, etc. Every Christian is a called minister ... just different locations.
     
  17. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    I am looking more towards other positions in the church. I lean towards the idea that one needs to be called to fill a postion. If there is no one who feels called to teach a young adults class, I would prefer not to have it, than have someone who wasn't called.
     
  18. thegospelgeek

    thegospelgeek New Member

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    Supported by?
     
  19. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    The entirety of the gospel supports this position.
     
  20. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    That sure does seem like an attempt to minimize and marginalize a real call of God
     
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