For some time now, I’ve had several/quite a few conversations that started with words like this……
“Have you ever considered full-time ministry?”
Or more directly….
“Have you considered that you may be called to pastoral ministry”
Or….with a touch of humour….and little subtlety……
“So, Ally when are you becoming a Minister?”
Some of these conversations led me to ask myself some questions………..I mean, really? Minister? Preaching? Leading? Pastoral responsibility?
Outside of the Bible and some other resources, I stumbled across a book called “Am I Called” by a guy called Dave Harvey – you can buy the book here or read about Dave here
And……….I’ll cut to the chase here………I am quite certain at this point in my life that God is not calling me to pastoral ministry…………..
I am planning to say some things about this on the blog soon though, with reference to the book by Dave…….and to other sources perhaps.
Could be fun…
I find it us always good to be clear on those kind of things.
I often wonder why these comments are made as well. Is there a degree of “If you do it then I don’t have to.” a kind of evangelical transference perhaps.
I look forward to the future blogs and seeing how you came to your conclusion.
Thanks Neil……….there will be something said about that point you make…..and flattery……
Do not do it…. lol
oh Marty! lol
So when you said you “stumbled” across this book, did you really …. Or did you go looking for it ….. Hmmmmn! That being said, i have it and its a really helpful book, no doubt i will be turning to it for guidance/wisdom again ….. Last time i read it i felt the Lord was telling me to Wait for the time being …. Waiting for what exactly i am still not sure?!?!
I would say that I ‘stumbled’ across it whilst looking for a different book on amazon……..that different book may or may not have been about being ‘called’ – you know Mark, I reckon my certainty that God is not calling right now could as much be a ‘wait’ as it might be a ‘no’
if that makes sense
Oh yeah that makes sense Ally ….. I mean, i dont even know why I am doing this A-level, apart from encouragement from a few godly men, Norman Brown n Stephen Orr to name a couple.
I just feel that God has something else in store for me, i dont feel I will be in Michelin all my days …. Discontentment might be a word to describe it ….
Its ok to be discontent Mark………what you do with it….how you deal with it……thats the challenge – iv failed on that many times, been a grumpy whinge when things were not as id like!