Called To Preach?

If you were to ask most seminarians what their calling is, they would probably respond with something like, “I am called to preach.”  For most seminarians this is true; however, I have had some recent experiences that leads me to question what it means to be “called to preach.”

I am not saying this is inherently wrong, but I have discovered (and have been found guilty myself) that because most of us are “called to preach”, we fail to see the other opportunities for ministry that come available.  For example, I have been in a two month interview process with a church regarding a children’s ministry.  When I was first approached about this ministry, I thought “no way!  I am called to preach.  I am not called to baby sit.”  However, as I had more and more opportunities to preach from the pulpit for churches looking for a pastor, I have realized that God wanted me to look more closely at the children’s ministry.

Something funny began to happen the closer I looked.  For the first time since my first time in the pulpit, I began to feel a little uncomfortable preaching.  Next, I discovered I had a heart for the children (especially in the particular neighborhood of the church) and wanted to reach out to them and their families for the gospel.  As I began to pray more for the children’s ministry, God poured such a deep love into my heart that the children’s ministry began to consume my every thought.  The next thing I knew, I turned down an opportunity to preach at a church looking for a pastor because “God was taking me in another direction” is what I told the man on the phone.

I wish I could say that I came to this understanding of ministry and seminary life during a quiet time or time of communion with God, but that would be lying.  No, it took an off-hand comment by one of my wife’s girlfriend’s as we were leaving her house after dropping our children off for the evening so we could interview with the church for the children’s ministry.  She told me that she and her husband had been looking all over the Louisville area for a children’s ministry to no avail (I know of a couple good ones, but they have only become a major focus of the church in recent months).  She said everyone tells them that “they are called to preach” and that children’s ministry would be like taking a step backward from their goals.  (OK, that one kicked me right in the gut because that was my initial thought when I receieved the email about the position–I had served as youth pastor for a couple years about three years ago.)  I don’t know why, but it struck a chord in me that I did not know was there to be struck.  Between her house and the church (10 minutes), I was moved deeply to seek after this position with a passion that I can only explain as a gift from God.

I guess what I am trying to say is that while you are attending seminary, do not put on the blinders of being called to preach.  When I was ordained, I was ordained not to the preaching ministry, but the gospel ministry.  The gospel should be what drives our motives behind all we do.  Sure, you will get more glory in the pulpit, a demon I am sure we will all have to fight, but do not deprive yourself from blessings because you are only “called to preach.”

Two Cent Tuesday - After You Graduate…

This question is in honor of all this year’s seminary graduates.

Now that the sentimentality is out of the way, let me be clear… I hate this question.

I guess the thing that I hate about the question is that it seems to me that, by asking it, seminary is being reduced to a means to an end. While, for some, I know it is just that… but for me, seminary isn’t that. The fact is that when I decided to come to seminary I was already in vocational ministry and quite happy and content with my position. For me, seminary is not about getting a piece of paper so that I can now go and fulfill God’s calling on my life. Rather, for me, seminary is about being better equipped for the calling I already have. That calling, however, is not on hold while I’m in seminary.

The way that works out in my life is that I am currently involved in a church plant in Orlando and, God willing, I’ll walk my calling out in the context of that church plant. Now, does that mean I’ll be on staff and getting a pay check… maybe, maybe not… but either way, seminary is about equipping me to better steward the ministerial responsibilities God entrusts to my care.

So, sure… what do you plan to do when you graduate… better yet, why haven’t you already started doing it now?

That’s my 2 cents… what’s yours?