THE CALL TO MINISTRY

In the dark night of my sin, the light of Christ broke into my life, and a new day dawned. I have never been the same. The grace of God that redeemed me from sin, also redirected me into service. As new doors opened, I joyfully walked through them. After all that Jesus did for me, how could I do anything else?

Yet, there seemed something more—a nagging sense that another step needed to be taken. Was I being called to gospel ministry?  I will never forget that summer night, in an open air auditorium, set amid mountain splendor, and the pointed call of Dr. Stephen Olford to absolute surrender. My wife and I made the commitment, “Lord Jesus, anything, anywhere, anytime, I am ready.”  We have never looked back.  In the words attributed to William Borden, who left behind a life of luxury to die a missionary, there has been, “No Reserve; No Retreat; No Regrets.”

Consider what Paul said of his call to ministry here.

He points to GOD’S ENABLEMENT, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me”.   Gospel work is God’s work. It is a natural man given supernatural resources.  It is not our talent—though God can use it if taken to the cross—nor our intellect or charm. It is the enabling power of God’s Spirit at work in us and through us that means we can do that which is beyond our own ability.  With God’s calling comes His enabling. 

Paul next speaks of GOD’S JUDGMENT, “because He counted me faithful”.   Now, there was a sense in which Paul’s personality was one given to a determined direction. He was full bore in whatever he did. This brought him to become a Pharisee—the most zealous of all religionists. Not content with that, he became a leader among the group. Still more, in his commitment to his religion, he was willing to kill for his convictions!  When he met Christ, the Lord sanctified him and would count him as one who would be faithful to truth once delivered from error. Jesus does not see just what we are, but what we will become through His grace.

Then, the Apostle concludes with GOD’S ASSIGNMENT, “putting me into the ministry.”  We are reminded that the call to preach—to feed and lead God’s flock—is not a vocation that we have chosen, as one considers an array of employment possibilities and we say, “I think I would like to be a pastor.”  Now, this does not mean we have to run from the call—though some do—but may run to the call—I certainly did. Yet, it must be a call from God. There must be that sense that this is an assignment from heaven. The church will recognize it—and that is the point of them “laying on hands,” in ordination, as we note in the New Testament.  That is the affirmation of His assignment.

Now, I have been directed into  a different dimension of service.   People ask, “How is retirement going?”  Retire? I am not retired, but redeployed!  While I am no longer standing in the same pulpit week after week, I am helping shepherd the ones who do, as an Associational Mission Strategist for the 62 Baptist churches in Haywood Association.  From the burden of duty of a single congregation, I can feel the weight of what Paul described, “what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches,” (2 Cor.11:28b).  When we come to the end of our assignment may we be able to write in our Bible, “No reserve, no retreat, no regrets.”