The Call of God
Around that same time, I found myself in a unique situation. Within the course of two months, four different people approached me, at completely random times, with these words: “I feel God is calling you to be a pastor.”
One of those times in particular came when a guest – a pastor of a church in Wyoming – was visiting our church. During the middle of his message, he stopped, turned to where I was sitting, looked directly at me and echoed those same words: “Son, I feel God is calling you to be a pastor.”
Right in the middle of his sermon. In a room full of people. He stopped and turned and looked at me and called me out. And that was it.
I became a pastor.
Maybe God Got It Wrong
For the sake of time, I’ll skip the details in my journey as a pastor. Perhaps I’ll talk more about that later but, for now, let’s just agree on one thing: for me, that journey wasn’t easy.
As I wrap this up, I’ll leave you with some thoughts that wrestled with for quite some time:
Maybe I was never actually called to be a pastor. Maybe God had a different plan for my life.
Maybe God got it wrong. Or maybe I got it wrong.
Maybe we’ve all got it wrong.
Maybe it’s just our way of responding to an emotional connection we’ve made with Jesus along the way – maybe out of obligation.
Maybe it’s our response to what others have felt for us.
Maybe God calls us to be disciples and then calls us to holiness. Maybe that’s it.
Maybe He doesn’t call us at all.
Maybe He’s just waiting for us to decide.
Bob Chapman
Maybe you can be a pastor in more than one way?
Maybe you are being a pastor in what your are doing right now?
Drake Farmer
Yeah, I would agree with Bob here. There is obviously the office of pastor, but does this mean you stop having the gifts you had before?
Is it possible you can still be a ‘pastor’ in the sense of how God uses you even though you don’t hold the office anymore? And not that any of this diminishes the pain leaving thay office entailed. Just a thought.
JourneyMan
I recently asked those questions. I responded to an “urging” or “calling” when I was 18. First of my family to go off to college, be it a Christian one. I began preaching within a few months. It was both satisfying and frustrating at the same time. Attended and graduated from seminary having served in various positions in various churches. At least when I graduated, I had experience. Some people graduated with no ministry experience and were called to “good” churches. I didn’t match very well, so I stayed and worked in churches locally. I “fit” in denominational entities for several years. Then when “budget cuts” came along, I was cut along with several others. Let’s say it was not done well and I began doubting my friends, my mentors, even God. I became friends with a guy on staff at a church…no theological training, but he is leading and serving, and when I told him of my struggle, he said, “this is just a job!” Did I miss understand God? I can’t seem to find another job/career. I got one part time job but even from the interview, I was told, “this seminary background makes me feel uncomfortable”. Or I have been asked, “why aren’t you in ministry anymore?” Sometimes I think I have wasted my life as well as misrepresented God. I keep trying to shake “the call” but it follows me all the time. Any advice?
Bo Lane
I’ve been asked plenty of times, after telling someone I “used” to be a pastor (whence the reason we title this site “expastors”), “Why aren’t you in ministry anymore?” or “So you’re no longer a pastor?” It’s quite uncomfortable and most people don’t know how to treat you. It took some time to get over, actually.
To answer your question, I actually just posted an article yesterday about jobs for expastors. I’d encourage you to read it: https://expastors.comhow-do-i-feed-my-family-now-that-im-not-a-pastor-a-guide-to-jobs-for-expastors/
Check it out and let me know your thoughts. I’d love to talk to you further about your “calling” and what you believe that meant for your life. Blessings.
Sparkling_jewel
There are some people who are called but never had the opportunity or encouragement from their family. If you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” ( Matthew 9:37 ).
Bo Lane
Thanks for your comment. And, I agree, the harvest is plentiful!