Below are some thoughts and resources for people who are in a process of prayer, study, and reflection, trying to understand God's calling and making decisions regarding their service to God.
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Pray
You probably have been – that's how you came to feel called in the first place. But don't stop. God will continue leading you after you decide that God is calling you! Hear a testimony from a family about their calling to ministry, where their prayers led them, and what they had to struggle with.
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Read
Namely, the Bible. The "Bible Studies" section of The Discovery has a ten-week Bible study directed towards those sensing a calling to ministry.
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Tell Your Family
Your spouse or others closest to you need to know. You may be fearful or anxious about telling your family, especially if you are unsure of whether or not they will be supportive. But there must be open communication with your family about the calling that you are sensing. You wouldn’t want a calling to ministry to cause a breach of trust in your family because you waited too long to say something.
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Talk to the Pastor of Your Church
You may be surprised how many people neglect doing this and miss out on a rich storehouse of information, resources, and encouragement. Pastors and ministers have answered the calling themselves, and they can relate to what you are sensing. Your pastor can help get you plugged into ministries, and will help communicate your calling to the church body.
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Talk to a Trusted Minister About Mentoring You
This may or may not be your current pastor. Seek the guidance and mentorship of an experienced and trusted minister. Be aware that “mentoring” should be an intentional process and relationship by which you can learn, grow, and reflect. The "Mentoring Guide" section of The Discovery will provide you with all the information you need to begin a mentoring relationship. The material is simple and user-friendly.
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Explore Your Options
Your minister and/or mentor will be your greatest resource. It may be especially helpful for you to talk to others like yourself who felt the calling at the same stage in life. Ask about different paths…seminary is not your only option, nor is it for everyone. Full-time vocational ministry is not your only option either. Read about hundreds of other "ministry paths" that people have followed or find answers in our Frequently Asked Questions.
If you are considering seminary, you may be surprised how many seminary students are not coming directly out of college. In 2004, the 251 schools associated with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) showed that 2/3 of ATS seminary students are 30 or older as illustrated below:25% of all students were in their 30s
24% were in their 40s
16% were 50-64
2% were 65+Gender make-up may surprise you also. The national percentage of female seminary students is 36%, but a number of individual schools have a roughly 50-50 split.
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Decide and Commit
It will be important for you to make concrete decisions about where you’re going next. "Throwing around the idea" of going into ministry only lasts so long before it becomes procrastination and keeps you from responding to God.
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Be Patient and of Good Courage
In the Bible, God does rarely gives people all the specifics up front. (Genesis 12.1; Exodus 3.10-14; 1 Samuel 3.10-11; Jeremiah 1.4-7; Matthew 4.19). Be prepared for God to guide you one step at a time, towards an end that you may not see.God is calling, and you are answering! Let yourself be excited and energized by God’s leading in your life. You are not alone – many have answered the calling, and there is plenty of help and support available for you.
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send?
And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
Isaiah 6:8