I guess I am in a bit of a writing frenzy lately, but I think that is largely due to what I want to write about today. When I was in 9t grade I “accepted a calling into full time ministry” at church camp. I put that in quotes because I am not exactly sure what that means, but I will get to that in a minute. I have shared this story previously so I won’t go into any real detail about it, but I will say that the calling I received shaped many of my decisions for years. For that reason, I feel comfortable agreeing that there was a degree of revelation associated with that calling simply in that it was a radical change in worldview and personal understanding. Whether or not I was growing spiritually during this time is debatable, but I took my first youth ministry position while in college. I was sure of my calling during this time in my life. Not only was I working in the church, but I was involved in college ministry and was starting to visit seminaries. After graduating college I took a full time youth ministry position. I was speaking with a guy that was a sponsor for me in that church a couple of days ago and as I discussed that time in my life I had an inner conviction that has lingered deep inside me for years- I just wasn’t a very good youth minister. Imagine a shy introvert that doubted the existence of God and questioned authority being a youth minister. I still had a deep sense of calling though. After leaving that church to work on my Masters in Educational Psychology I was still involved in ministry in a number of ways. When I graduated from there I began working in a church full time again as a college minister in a large church. The church was just not a good fit and I simply didn’t agree with the institutional priorities. It was during this time that I began to go through my postmodern shift. The church, or at least I as experienced up to that point, was just not going to work for me any longer. So what did I do with that calling? Interestingly, I questioned the whole idea of a calling.
I think that there is a good basis to question the idea of a calling into ministry. It seems as though much of what contemporary Christianity has come to believe about what a calling is comes from teachings from such great theologians as Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon taught quite a bit on calling. In a sermon he made in 1856, Spurgeon said, “Notwithstanding our firm belief that you are in the main well instructed in the doctrines of the everlasting gospel, we are continually reminded in our conversation with young converts, how absolutely necessary it is to repeat our former lessons, and repeatedly assert and prove over and over again those doctrines which lie at the basis of our holy religion. Our friends, therefore, who have many years ago been taught the great doctrine of effectual calling, will believe that whilst I preach very simply this morning, the sermon is intended for those who are young in the fear of the Lord, that they may better understand this great starting point of God in the heart, the effectual calling of men by the Holy Spirit.” From there Spurgeon then identifies eight aspects of a true calling:
1. Effectual calling is a very gracious truth.
2. It was a personal call.
3. It is a hastening call.
4. It is a humbling call.
5. It is an affectionate call.
6. It was an abiding call.
7. It was a necessary call.
8. This call was an effectual one, for we see the fruits it brought forth.
Based on teachings like these, evangelical Christianity has developed a definition of calling that is as restrictive and absolute as most other parts of modern Christianity. One blog I ran across used the name of Spurgeon to identify the following characteristics of a calling into youth ministry. The blog is actually pretty good advice, from a modern perspective at least, and attempts to interject theology into a blog for youth ministers. However, this was the bloggers advice:
• If a person is called, they must be able to clearly and effectively present the gospel.
• If a person is called they should understand the purpose of preaching is spiritual.
• If a person is called they will see people come to Christ as a result of their ministry.
• If a person is called they should have a desire and even a passion to see people come to Jesus.
• Is the person able to understand Scripture
• Can this person help others understand scripture
• Can this person help others apply scripture in their life
• Humor and storytelling doesn’t necessarily make someone a good teacher
• Can this person keep the attention of the audience
The problem is that despite the overwhelming support that scripture identifies many instances of people being called, these are typically a calling into a new identity. The bible never seems to suggest that after one comes into a relationship with God that there are subsequent levels of calling. And even though a dedication through career choice or significant levels of service is admirable, scripture calls on us to use our gifts and talents as a state of the identity that we find in our new relationship with Christ, an identity that is always shifting, developing, and relevant to context. The problem with the evangelical idea of calling beyond the lack of scriptural validity is twofold: (1) it gives a false since of authority in one’s own influence that has not necessarily been earned and (2) it causes an inner distress by the one called to make sure that live out their calling as to not disrupt to plans of God.
But rather than disrupt the evangelical, modern, and institutional use of the word calling I would rather address how I have come to re-value to term. There are significant differences in how I see what it means to be called now as to when I was a young youth minister and it may even be difficult to see how it differs, but it is radically different. The theological difference is that I believe that Christ brought a new ministry, one with greater access to God and one that was more transformative than the Old Covenant. Under the Old Covenant the modern concept of calling would have actually worked out fairly well. But with the new ministry of Christ, one in which Christ is perfected in his ministry; the idea of calling is more connected to our new identity than our predetermined role. Practically, my calling is about my new identity lived out. Within this context, I am free to explore many career, service, and relational opportunities without the fear of disrupting the universe. It becomes my calling, however, to evaluate how my strengths and gifts are best serving the kingdom and that I carry a responsibility to act with integrity. I may choose a path of professional service or I may not. What is important is that I am partnering with God (and struggling with Him) in understanding How who I am is best for others. Additionally, I accept the gift of God to allow myself to feel the most alive my earthly situation allows. One’s strengths, talents, situation, and passions may best be lived out in professional ministry, but with that comes no privileged authority. That must be earned wherever one ends up.
Leaving the ministry is hard for me because I felt that I was betraying my calling. When I saw that I was happier and more productive out of the church then I doubted my calling. Now I see that my calling never had anything to do a response to an altar call when I was 15, but how I respond to God daily. I miss ministry for a lot of reasons and I pray that God allows that prayer to be fulfilled, but until that day I am no less called because I must daily wrestle with God and this world to understand who I am and what I contribute.
I think that there is a good basis to question the idea of a calling into ministry. It seems as though much of what contemporary Christianity has come to believe about what a calling is comes from teachings from such great theologians as Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon taught quite a bit on calling. In a sermon he made in 1856, Spurgeon said, “Notwithstanding our firm belief that you are in the main well instructed in the doctrines of the everlasting gospel, we are continually reminded in our conversation with young converts, how absolutely necessary it is to repeat our former lessons, and repeatedly assert and prove over and over again those doctrines which lie at the basis of our holy religion. Our friends, therefore, who have many years ago been taught the great doctrine of effectual calling, will believe that whilst I preach very simply this morning, the sermon is intended for those who are young in the fear of the Lord, that they may better understand this great starting point of God in the heart, the effectual calling of men by the Holy Spirit.” From there Spurgeon then identifies eight aspects of a true calling:
1. Effectual calling is a very gracious truth.
2. It was a personal call.
3. It is a hastening call.
4. It is a humbling call.
5. It is an affectionate call.
6. It was an abiding call.
7. It was a necessary call.
8. This call was an effectual one, for we see the fruits it brought forth.
Based on teachings like these, evangelical Christianity has developed a definition of calling that is as restrictive and absolute as most other parts of modern Christianity. One blog I ran across used the name of Spurgeon to identify the following characteristics of a calling into youth ministry. The blog is actually pretty good advice, from a modern perspective at least, and attempts to interject theology into a blog for youth ministers. However, this was the bloggers advice:
• If a person is called, they must be able to clearly and effectively present the gospel.
• If a person is called they should understand the purpose of preaching is spiritual.
• If a person is called they will see people come to Christ as a result of their ministry.
• If a person is called they should have a desire and even a passion to see people come to Jesus.
• Is the person able to understand Scripture
• Can this person help others understand scripture
• Can this person help others apply scripture in their life
• Humor and storytelling doesn’t necessarily make someone a good teacher
• Can this person keep the attention of the audience
The problem is that despite the overwhelming support that scripture identifies many instances of people being called, these are typically a calling into a new identity. The bible never seems to suggest that after one comes into a relationship with God that there are subsequent levels of calling. And even though a dedication through career choice or significant levels of service is admirable, scripture calls on us to use our gifts and talents as a state of the identity that we find in our new relationship with Christ, an identity that is always shifting, developing, and relevant to context. The problem with the evangelical idea of calling beyond the lack of scriptural validity is twofold: (1) it gives a false since of authority in one’s own influence that has not necessarily been earned and (2) it causes an inner distress by the one called to make sure that live out their calling as to not disrupt to plans of God.
But rather than disrupt the evangelical, modern, and institutional use of the word calling I would rather address how I have come to re-value to term. There are significant differences in how I see what it means to be called now as to when I was a young youth minister and it may even be difficult to see how it differs, but it is radically different. The theological difference is that I believe that Christ brought a new ministry, one with greater access to God and one that was more transformative than the Old Covenant. Under the Old Covenant the modern concept of calling would have actually worked out fairly well. But with the new ministry of Christ, one in which Christ is perfected in his ministry; the idea of calling is more connected to our new identity than our predetermined role. Practically, my calling is about my new identity lived out. Within this context, I am free to explore many career, service, and relational opportunities without the fear of disrupting the universe. It becomes my calling, however, to evaluate how my strengths and gifts are best serving the kingdom and that I carry a responsibility to act with integrity. I may choose a path of professional service or I may not. What is important is that I am partnering with God (and struggling with Him) in understanding How who I am is best for others. Additionally, I accept the gift of God to allow myself to feel the most alive my earthly situation allows. One’s strengths, talents, situation, and passions may best be lived out in professional ministry, but with that comes no privileged authority. That must be earned wherever one ends up.
Leaving the ministry is hard for me because I felt that I was betraying my calling. When I saw that I was happier and more productive out of the church then I doubted my calling. Now I see that my calling never had anything to do a response to an altar call when I was 15, but how I respond to God daily. I miss ministry for a lot of reasons and I pray that God allows that prayer to be fulfilled, but until that day I am no less called because I must daily wrestle with God and this world to understand who I am and what I contribute.
great article Craig and I totally agree!!! You are living out your calling more than you think.
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