It can be difficult to determine if you’re being called to ministry. And even when you’ve finished the hard work of determining if you are called, it can become even more complicated to figure out what you are called to and how to get there.
Reading biblical texts, having conversations with God and Christian mentors, and researching different roles in ministry will all help you determine if ministry is right for you. Everyone has a different journey and story, but this blog will walk you through the whole process.
People don’t just become ministers. No one should simply choose to become a pastor like you might choose any other career. Instead, God tells people when they should pursue vocational ministry. That call is often verified by the church through education, anointing or a denominational process.
A call to ministry can come in a variety of ways. Some people are suddenly struck with what they should do, God seems to speak clearly and decisively in a moment. For other people, the call comes more slowly. There might be little hints along the way. Maybe a mentor encourages you to consider ministry, or you may begin to see signs in yourself.
Many people throughout time have received a call to ministry from God. The Bible is littered with call stories that are worth reading. Perhaps some of the following stories resemble your own call.
It’s great to see calls in the Bible that are similar to your own. But remember, all of our calls are like the call of Abraham to “Go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12). God calls each of us to a mysterious journey. Although we cannot see where God will ultimately lead us, we can trust God to reveal the next step we should take.
If you did not receive a sudden, clear, perhaps even audible, call from God it can be difficult to determine if you are really called. Even if your call was sudden and clear, the days, months and years following require their own discernment practices to determine what your next steps might be. The response to uncertainty in any Christian’s life is discernment. One or more of the following practices may help you determine if you have a call:
prayerful meditation on your call
Ignatian examen for consolation or desolation
pilgrimage to the site of a holy person’s call to ministry
lectio divina with biblical call narratives and topics you may be called to
sing songs or chants related to listening to God’s voice of your call
Not all of these practices will be familiar to you. Do a quick internet search to learn more about any you don’t recognize.
Few people discern their call to ministry in a vacuum. If you still aren’t sure about your call to ministry, ask someone to help you discern your call. Some helpful people may include:
Note While Discerning: God is not a genie in a lamp waiting to grant wishes. Jesus demonstrates throughout scripture that what God desires most is relationship with God’s people. Seasons of discernment are not only for answers, they’re opportunities to draw close to the Creator and be reminded of our need for God’s presence.
The following checklist may help you continue your discernment process:
Read more about each of these points by reading Perkin’s Called to Serve document.
The call to become a pastor is a unique call amid many ministerial options. If you are called to a pastoral role in the United Methodist Church you are probably called to ordination as an elder (unless you explore work as a local pastor). Elder is distinguished from the order of deacon in that they’re to attend the Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service (¶¶340). That means pastors:
If you feel called to not only participate in but lead the local church, the role of pastor may be for you. Pastor is an incredibly visible role within ministry, so many people assume their only option is to become a pastor when they sense a call to ministry. Although many people are called to pastoral ministry it’s only one of many unique ministerial options.
You may sense a calling to ordination as a deacon instead. These are ordained clergy who don’t attend as directly to the church body but focus on the healing of the outside world. Their order is distinguished by the marks of Word, Service, Compassion and Justice (¶¶329). They seek to attend to the spiritual and physical needs of those on the margins of society and serve as a bridge between them and the church body.
Let’s explore ministry roles that include elder, deacon and lay ministry:
Ask God if any of these ministerial roles is for you. Pray carefully about each of them. This list is certainly not comprehensive, God may have something unique in store for you. Whatever you do, don’t stop looking to God and those around you for guidance.
There’s no cookie-cutter call to ministry and no one-size-fits-all path to coming to know God’s plan for your unique life. With that said, there are benefits to exploring higher education options for ordained and lay ministry.
Applying to a graduate school, like Perkins School of Theology, is a great way to launch your next step with God. Even if you haven’t figured out exactly what kind of ministry you’re called to, sometimes jumping into education can give you the tools you need to clarify your call.
Ordination requirements for elders and deacons in the United Methodist Church both require master’s level education. Perkins offers the Master of Divinity, which fulfills the educational requirements for elders and deacons, and the Master of Arts in Ministry, which fulfills the requirements for deacons. Both of these degrees are also offered in our hybrid program where much of the coursework is completed online.
For those seeking to boost their skillset for lay ministry, the Master of Theological Studies or Master of Sacred Music may be for you. These degrees don’t meet the education criteria for ordination but can greatly benefit those seeking roles in academia, worship and music or for people seeking personal growth.
Learn more about the degree programs offered at Perkins by visiting our interactive degree guide.
Have Questions? Talk to an enrollment counselor today!