How To Discern God’s Call To Ministry

One of the most common questions we hear from others preparing for or entering into training for ministry is, “How do I know if God is calling me into ministry?” Books have been written, sermons have been preached, podcasts recorded, and hours of personal counsel have been invested in this single question. Why is answering this question so important? It is my experience that a deep sense of God’s calling is necessary for longevity in ministry.

God uses several tools to awaken our hearts to a specific call on our lives. I recommend that you use these tools both individually and with someone.

Scripture

God reveals Himself through His Word. Study and meditate on it. The more we know Him, the more we can discern His voice. Explore specific Scripture passages that speak about how God called others for specific assignments, and jot down what God is teaching you from their interactions with Him.

Prayer

Spend a significant amount of time in prayer. Learn to be still and listen for God’s voice. In order to know His will, we must prioritize this discipline. Ask a mentor, accountability partner, spouse, or close friend to pray with you. If the Lord gives them Scripture to pray over you, or if Scripture comes to mind as they are praying for you, add those verses to your personal time of prayer.

As you pray, do you have a growing sense that an area of ministry is not being done? Or do you sense a growing passion about a specific area of ministry? I began to sense God’s call to the mission field when He planted in my heart a growing frustration with the idea that millions of people had little to no access to the gospel, while people in my small town were fighting about what others should wear to church.

The Counsel of Mature Believers

God places you in a community of believers, and these men and women know your spiritual gifts, training, and ministry experience. Seek counsel from them, and look to the body of Christ to affirm your call. Find a mature or more seasoned single or couple who knows you well and talk to them about how the Lord is leading you. Ask them for advice and prayer support.

A Willingness to Obey

We cannot put conditions on our obedience to anything God calls us to do. Be honest about any hesitations or reservations you may have. Identify and confess any fears or idols that may be hindering you from hearing and obeying the Lord.

Keep a Journal

Write down all that God is teaching you through your time in Scripture, prayer, conversations, circumstances, and the opportunities around you. Discuss these things with a mentor or accountability partner, and identify next steps as you respond to all that the Lord is revealing to you.

My first four months on the mission field were very challenging. Before heading overseas, we kept an account of all the ways the Lord was leading us to serve on the mission field. We also wrote down everything that was keeping us from answering God’s call immediately on a single piece of paper. Then, we recorded the ways the Lord removed each of those obstacles to make a way for us to go.

We packed that piece of paper in our suitcase because we knew there would be days—sometimes long ones—when we would need to be reminded of the call God had placed on our lives. Our call helped us obey, persevere, and remain faithful when ministry was hard.

Talk to Others About Their Personal Call to Ministry

Reach out and listen to others speak about their call to ministry. Ask good questions, and write down the things that stood out to you and why. Ask them if they would commit to pray for you.

Engage in Ministry

Most people who are asking this question are already involved in ministry in some way. However, if you are not, that is your first step. Begin by serving others.

For those who are already engaged in ministry, take the time to ask those serving alongside you to pray with you and give you feedback on how they have seen and currently see God working in your life, as well as examples of how God has used you and is using you in people’s lives.

Explore the ways in which your church is currently preparing men and women who are called to ministry. Determine if you need to join an internship or apprenticeship program, if one is available. Ask if there is a staff member you could shadow or work alongside for a determined amount of time.

God calls every believer to the commands found in Matthew 28:18–20, but He also calls some of us to specific areas of ministry. It’s our deep sense of calling that is the key to our faithfulness, perseverance, and longevity. Will you answer His call and obey?