The fact is, we are all called into ministry.
It is easy within the culture of the church for many people to feel the call to full-time vocational ministry at some point.
It’s almost a right of passage— someone gets serious about their faith and asks, “Should I be a pastor?”
And, most of the time the answer should be no.
Many people shake off this urge for various reasons. But some don’t. For instance, it is not uncommon for someone in the business world to sense a strong calling to give up a career, go to Bible college or seminary, and become a pastor. And sometimes God’s leading is clear and needs to be embraced.
Throughout history, people have moved from working in the marketplace to serving in vocational ministry.
However, there are some other issues at work here.
The fact is, we are all called into ministry. But this has become sort of a cliché: “If you are a Christian, you are in the ministry” or “Every believer is a missionary.” But the truth is that God does call certain people into vocational ministry. So while we are all 24-hour ministers of the gospel, some are fully funded to devote their lives to a specific work within the Church.
But what about the banker, the mechanic, the bus driver, the teacher, or the seamstress who feels called to ministry? How should we encourage people who sense God calling them into more intentional ministry?
Vocation
First, we should acknowledge the value of their individual call and vocation. We can and must see the banker and the baker as able to do her work to the glory of God. And, for the mechanic or nurse to do his work, knowing that he is being used by God to do so.
That’s an essential point to make— people in vocation are using their gifts to the glory ...
from
http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/christianitytoday/ctmag/~3/Aqj3xXvVYvc/encouraging-people-to-not-enter-vocational-ministry.html
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