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Called to Ministry

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Romans7man, Dec 29, 2011.

  1. Romans7man

    Romans7man New Member

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    I've been reading around the forums and read a few posts that made me want to ask those that are in the ministry or have been.

    How did/do you know or feel you were called to preach?

    When you came to the ministry what were your expectations and were they met or once you got in did you have a different view of things?

    I think it would be safe for me to say, When you first felt called money was not what drove you, and thought you would preach for free if need be, but now that you have been at it for a while is that still the case or would you have to make xyz to take a church? Not that I'm saying money is why you preach, as I know most preachers are way under payed, but even in your older age would you take a church that pays nothing at the time of calling, if you truly felt God called you to do it?

    Any other comments welcome pertaining to your experiences as pastor, preacher, otherwise. And preacher wives comments welcome as well, as they sometimes see things we men don't see.

    Thanks for your input,
    Dell
     
  2. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    There is a difference between being called to preach and being called to the pastoral ministry.

    God called me to preach, but not to be a pastor. I have known since I was about 14, but did not exercise my gift until I turned 31 or 32. In other words, I spent many years running from God!

    You will know when God calls you. One time, Greg Locke said "Young men come up to me and ask 'how do I know when God is calling me to preach' and I tell them 'when you start asking questions like that!'"

    So if Greg Locke is right, maybe He is calling you. Either way, you'd better pray.
     
  3. Romans7man

    Romans7man New Member

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    Thanks for your reply Jk. Your not a pastor, so do you fill in for the church you attend when the pastor is out or do you interim? Perhaps you do street preaching or jail house preaching? Just curious as to your experiences.

    Dell
     
  4. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    I was licensed by our church as a minister. That makes me a lay-minister, but I am free to excersice my gifts when the need arrises. I am also an ordained deacon. I've done 3 weddings, 2 funerals. I preach when our pastor needs me to. I've done pulpit supply. I even preached a LOT when we were between pastors a few years ago. I try to "minister to the pastor" just by being available.

    I put it to people like this: I NEVER want to be Batman---I want to be Robin. I want to be the pastor's "diving buddy"; I'm always behind and to the right and ready to help.

    Any pastor will tell you that there is nothing like having a dependable man or few dependable men ready to step up if he gets sick, goes on vacation or something unexpected happens.

    So you might want to find out if God is calling you to preaching (and to what end), or to Pastoral Ministry which includes, but is not limited to, preaching.
     
  5. Romans7man

    Romans7man New Member

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    Thanks Jk for the insight.
    I do open assembly from time to time, I am assistant to the Sunday school director. I do enjoy it when I do it, but trying to keep it short is a problem. My wife has to remind me, It's just opening, not today's message. And I was invited to speak at a brotherhood for an old school friend. Too long for them to. My friend kept pecking at his watch, only after 10 minutes. They told me to take as long as I needed. I guess as long as it wasn't more than 10 minutes.
    I have learned to limit "their time" and keep it as short as possible.
    The men in jail received me better when I used to go. They didn't care how long I stayed. I never preached to them, but we had more of what I would call a Bible study. Those folks have more questions than the FBI and CIA.
    Once I went into one zone about 6:30pm and we got into studying so much so we lost all track of time. Lock down is at 9pm and shift changes shortly after that. Somewhere around 11pm I asked one of the inmates what time it was and when we found out it was late I told them I had to get to the house before my wife called the Sheriff looking for me. Because of when lock down is and then shift change the front desk forgot about me and the next shift didn't even know I was in there. If I was not married I would have just found a bed and waited until morning to get out. The jailer finally did come around and let me out.
    We have a new jail now and it has cameras and windows to the control room. They would not let me stay past 9:30pm after the new jail was built. I remember at times the inmates would ask the jailer for just a few more minutes, we're almost finished. I'm coming back after I lock everything else down and then you gotta go, he would say.
    I don't go now, as time and work does not come together. But I had a lot of fun when I did go.
     
  6. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    I think your main questions has been cleared up, you also asked if money was an object then and now. No and no for us. We had no money when He called us and have had no money other than needs most of our lives. Have been a tent maker most of our days in ministry. Ministered without pay many years, low support many more but God always had His way of providing for us.

    Jut keep that a secondary question :)

    Also, don't be too locked in, He may direct you from what you think you are called to now into some other area. I felt directed to be a preacher originally but found that was just to get me moving and couple years into college teaching became a strong emphasis.
     
  7. Carolina Baptist

    Carolina Baptist Active Member

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    I pastored (bivocational) for almost a year. There is a world of difference between preaching and pastoring. I was blessed to be involved in the church finding the pastor that they need. (I learned the lesson that I was not the leader that they need.) I have since moved my membership to another church where I help the pastor when I can.

    Money was not an issue. I held a full time job other than pastoring.

    Bivocational ministry is not easy but with the changing economy and shrinking churches it may become more common.
     
  8. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    I think one thing we all miss is that ALL Christians are called into ministry. Now trying to find out exactly WHICH kind of ministry God wants us to do is another question!

    And Happy New Year, everybody.
     
  9. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Is not making disciples a pastoral ministry? We are all commanded to make disciples.
     
  10. Romans7man

    Romans7man New Member

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    Agreed. and Happy New Year to you as well! May God bless you and your families.
     
  11. Romans7man

    Romans7man New Member

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    I come from a LOOOOng line of poor folk, so if I ever do go into the ministry I should feel like I'm at home.
    I have lived in houses with no running water (unless you consider running down the hill to draw water from the well, running water) and out houses. I have lived in houses that we would just about freeze to death in the winter and leak like a bucket with a hole in it when it rained. And I lived in houses with the best of everything.
    I will admit, I like the better of everything, but can live without it just as well.
     
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