Being a pastor is a sacred call. It is not one that we choose, but rather one that God chose for us. The Bible teaches that Pastors are called by God and as such, have His stamp of approval upon their lives - very much in the same way that the Prophets of the Old Testament did.

The Nature of God's Call

Throughout Scripture, we see that God initiates the call to ministry. From Moses at the burning bush to Isaiah in the temple, from Jeremiah as a youth to Paul on the Damascus road, the pattern is consistent: God calls, man responds. This divine initiative applies just as powerfully to pastoral ministry today.

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). This truth reminds us that God's call is not casual or temporary, but purposeful and permanent. He selects with divine intention those who will shepherd His flock.

The Apostle Paul understood this profoundly when he wrote to Timothy: "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12). Note the language: Paul didn't put himself into ministry; Christ placed him there.

Distinctive Marks of the Pastoral Call

How can one recognize this divine appointment? While each call story is unique, certain elements consistently appear:

1. Internal Conviction

The pastoral call typically begins with an internal sense of divine leading. Paul describes this as a compulsion: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).

This isn't merely a career interest or passing desire, but a deep conviction that often persists despite one's own sense of inadequacy. Remember Moses' hesitation: "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?" (Exodus 3:11). Or Jeremiah's protest: "Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6).

2. External Confirmation

God rarely calls in isolation. He typically confirms His call through the discernment of the believing community.

The early church demonstrated this when sending out Paul and Barnabas: "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2). Note that the Holy Spirit spoke to the gathered church, confirming what was already true.

Similarly, Timothy's call included affirmation from church leadership: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (1 Timothy 4:14).

3. Scriptural Qualification

God's call always aligns with His Word. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, Paul outlines the qualifications for pastoral ministry, focusing primarily on character rather than skills or education.

"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless..." (1 Timothy 3:1-2). While desiring to serve is good, meeting God's character requirements is essential.

These qualifications aren't arbitrary standards but evidence of God's prior work in a person's life. When God calls, He also prepares, developing the character required for the task.

4. Fruitful Effectiveness

God's call is validated over time through fruitful ministry. Jesus taught, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain" (John 15:16).

This doesn't mean ministry will be easy or always visibly successful by worldly standards. But those truly called will witness God working through their ministry despite their limitations.

The Weight and Wonder of the Call

Understanding the divine nature of the pastoral call brings both solemn responsibility and profound comfort.

The Responsibility

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account" (Hebrews 13:17). Pastors will answer to God for how they shepherd His people. This sobering reality should produce humility and diligence.

Peter emphasized this responsibility: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2-3).

The called pastor recognizes they steward a congregation that belongs not to them, but to God. They serve not as owners but as undershepherds to the Great Shepherd.

The Comfort

While the responsibility is great, so is the comfort of serving by divine appointment. The God who calls also equips and sustains.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

When facing challenges, the called pastor can take comfort that they serve not by personal choice but by divine commission. As God told Joshua, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9).

The Call Tested by Trials

Every genuine pastoral call will face testing. Paul was transparent about this reality: "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8).

These trials serve multiple purposes:

They Confirm the Call

Difficulties often reveal whether one is serving from divine calling or merely personal ambition. Those who minister from ambition typically abandon the path when it becomes too difficult. The divinely called persevere despite hardship.

They Deepen Dependence

Paul explained how his trials drove him to greater reliance on God: "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:9).

They Build Credibility

A pastor who has weathered storms with faith intact gains moral authority to lead others through their struggles. Paul wrote, "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Corinthians 1:4).

The Pastoral Call Today

Some suggest the days of divine calling have passed, that ministry is now merely a career choice based on personal aptitude and interest. Scripture gives no support for this view.

Instead, we must recover the sense of divine appointment that characterized pastoral ministry in the New Testament. When we recognize that pastors are chosen by God rather than self-selected, several things change:

For Pastors

Recognizing your divine appointment will sustain you when ministry becomes difficult. On discouraging days, remember: you serve not because you chose this path, but because God chose you for it.

Like Jeremiah, you can affirm: "The LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee" (Jeremiah 1:7-8).

For Congregations

Understanding the divine nature of pastoral calling should transform how congregations view their pastors. Not as employees to be directed, but as God's appointed messengers to be respected.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

For Those Considering Ministry

If you sense God's call to pastoral ministry, approach it with both seriousness and humility. Test your calling through prayer, Scripture, and the confirmation of mature believers. Remember, it's not about your choice, but God's.

As Jesus told His disciples, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2). The initiative remains with the Lord of the harvest.

The Deep Well Method: Supporting God's Called Servants

For those who bear this divine appointment, the Deep Well Method offers practical support that honors the sacred nature of your calling. By providing tools that streamline sermon preparation without diminishing its spiritual depth, we help you fulfill your God-given commission with excellence while maintaining the spiritual and family life so essential to effective ministry.

Just as God called you, He will equip you. Our method simply helps remove unnecessary burdens so you can focus on the essential work of shepherding God's flock with the wisdom and grace He provides.

"The call to pastoral ministry is like that of the prophet Jeremiah. You didn't pursue God; He pursued you. You didn't anoint yourself; He appointed you. You don't sustain yourself; He sustains you. And you won't succeed by yourself; He will succeed through you."