PTS COLLEGE AND ADVANCE STUDIES

URC AVENUE SALITRAN IV DASMARINAS CAVITE

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in

“Pastoral Theology”

“Becoming of a Minister”

Dr. Samuel Yeo

Professor

Reydentor D. Panganiban Jr

M.Div Student

October 6, 2015
 I. Introduction

Our vocation is our calling to serve Christ; our occupations are the jobs we do to earn our

way in the world. While it is our calling to press our occupations into the service of our

vocations, it is idolatrous to equate the two.1 Our calling differs from secular calling; we are

called to serve the Lord in His husbandry while calling outside in the ministry of the Lord is a

different task. We all have different calling, some of you called to be a teacher, doctor, engineer

and etc. We cannot do both, once you are being called in the ministry of the Lord that is your

focus and not the things outside from your calling.

Our calling in the service of the Lord is a special calling that none can deserve. Our vocation

is our calling to serve Christ; this is the very important thing that we need to know as Christians.

We need to differentiate vocation and occupations, because there are Pastors and Ministers who

are confused with their calling that’s why they cannot focus on their calling and the dilemma the

church that they are handling are not growing. Some ministers are being unfair with the Lord, of

course I don’t want to judge them, but when you see their examples I don’t think it is right to say

that they are not faithful with the Lord, because they are busy with their job than the ministry

that God has entrusted to them.

This paper will present somehow our calling in the Lord as a minister, it will tackle the

identity of being a pastor; their calling to the ministry and will also tackle about the meaning of

ordination. This is very important to study these topics so that we will know if we are truly called

or we are just assuming being called and use the ministry of the Lord as a means and not just an

end and part of our lives.

1
Paul Cedar, Mastering the Pastoral Role, (Multnomah Portland, Oregon: Christianity today, Inc;1991.) p.
25
 II. The Discovery of Pastoral identity

Pastoral identity necessarily entwines two connected yet distinct facets of one’s being-in-the-

world: one’s relationship to God and self, and one’s relationship to God and community. The

healthy pastor leans into her calling on both fronts. Having responded to God’s call, she employs

her gifts and abilities in the service of God’s mission in the world. At the same time, pastors

respond to a particular congregation’s call, striving to lead them faithfully along the undulating

path of Christian discipleship.2

How do we know if we are called in the ministry of the Lord? Maybe some of you would say

that you are called by God because the church sent you to study in the seminary to be a Pastor

someday. Who decide you to be a pastor? How can we determine whether we are called to the

ministry, and how important is the assurance of a special call? The work of the ministry is too

demanding and difficult for a man to enter without a sense of divine calling. Men enter and then

leave the ministry usually because they lack a sense of divine urgency. Nothing less than a

definite call from God could ever give a man success in the ministry.3

So here the book is saying that it is really difficult for a man to be a minister and endure the

circumstances in the ministry if he is not called by God. It is difficult for a man to survive in the

ministry without a divine calling. It is impossible for a man to do ministerial work if he is not

called in the ministry. So how can we determine if we are called by God in His ministry and how

important it is to know our special calling?

2
Jake Mayers, Pastoral Identity: Being and Doing, (Baker book house: Grand Rapids, Michigan; 1989.) p.
11
3
Howard F. Sugden, Confident Pastoral Leadership: Practical solutions to perplexing problems, (Moody
Press: Chicago;1973.) p.9
 How do we know we are called? For some there is a crisis experience: Moses at the burning

bush, or Isaiah in the temple. But for most there is simply that inescapable. Paul expresses it this

way: “Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1Cor. 9:16).

The man who is called has this inner conviction which will not permit him to invest his life in

any other vocation.4

The man who is called by God has a sense of duty to preach the gospel, because he has

concern with those people who are not yet in Christ. He will not allow himself to do other things

than doing the ministry of the Lord because it is his vocation serving the Lord with his life. But if

the man is not called he will not have a sense of duty preaching the Word of God.

No minister feels adequately equipped; even Paul exclaimed, and who is sufficient for these

things?” but the man God calls senses that God has given him spiritual gifts and natural abilities

which must be dedicated, cultivated and used for God’s glory.5 God does not look if you are

good and talented person; if this is the qualification of God in His calling no one will be called.

As we observed in the Bible, those who are being called by God in His ministry are those people

who are simple, most of them are not capable in doing God’s ministry because their status in life.

But God is a sovereign God He can do the impossible things, He enables those people who are

not capable to do His ministry, and it is because He is gracious.

To be a pastor is first and foremost to be one called of God. The pastoral vocation is a

calling to a way of being with God in the world. The calling to pastoral ministry

is always secondary to a more fundamental calling, and pastors hear me closely on this one:

you are first and foremost beloved by God. As the inimitable Henri Nouwen puts it, “Self-

4
Sugden, 9
5
Sugden, 9
rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice

that calls us the ‘Beloved.’ Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.”

Pastoral identity that is not grounded on the pastor’s originary status as one beloved by

God will lead to disastrous consequences in ministry. To put it colloquy: You do you,

beloved; and don’t let the hater’s get you down. 6 You are called by God to do His ministry

and no one can get you down because you are God’s beloved. No matter what happen in the

ministry God is always there to help you, and a true called person keeps persevere in the

midst of all difficulties because he depends on God strength and not in his own ability. If

you know your identity as a minister you will not lose your focus in the ministry.

Certainly the pastor must have character and conduct that are above reproach. He must

sincerely desire to serve Christ. He should have a love for the Word and an appetite to study

it and share it with others. He must be able to love people and work well with them. he must

have spiritual and emotional maturity. 7 This is also one way of knowing your identity to

possess this kind of qualification.

Of course I believe God will prepare His people to be perfect and blameless in the sight

of people, but we can do this through the Lord Jesus Christ, in fact we are already perfect

because of Him. It is only by God’s grace why we are staying in His ministry because He

preserves us to be His people in His service.The pastor is always both Christ-follower and

Christian leader.

In the most basic sense, all Christians are called to ministry. The Great Commission

(Matthew 28:18-20) applies to all believers. Too, every Christian is part of the Body of Christ.

6
Mayers, 13
7
Warren W. Wiersbe, Confident Pastoral Leadership, (The Moody Bible Institute: Chicago; 1979.) p. 10
Fulfilling one’s role as part of the Body, no matter what that role is, means ministering to others.

However, most people who ask this question are really interested in whether they are called

to vocational ministry, such as the pastorate. This is an excellent question. Certainly, vocational

ministry has unique demands.

In confirming any calling, it is important to first examine your heart and motivation

(Jeremiah 17:9). Do you truly feel this call is from God, or is it a personal desire? Or is it an

attempt to live up to someone else’s expectation of you? If the motivation is pride or people-

pleasing, you should give pause. Are you feeling “called” because you think that in order to be

“most Christian” you must work in a distinctly “Christian” ministry? Christians are the fragrance

of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15) no matter where they serve. You can be light and salt and “do

ministry” outside the church or in a secular job just as well as you can within the church or in a

distinctly Christian vocation.

Guilt can sometimes be mistaken as a call to ministry. Many Christians hear that serving God

requires sacrifice, which it does. But this does not necessarily mean all Christians are called to

the mission field. Yes, living for Christ requires sacrifice, but not misery. There is joy in living

out our calling. Paul is a great example of this. He suffered greatly for his ministry, yet he was

always content and joyful in Christ.

After you are certain that your heart is rightly motivated, consider your natural (and spiritual)

gifts and strengths. Do these seem to fit with the vocational ministry you are considering? Yes,

God is shown strong in our weaknesses and calls us to serve out of His strength rather than our

own. But He also gave us gifts and talents to use for Him. It is unlikely that God would call
someone who is manually unskilled to be a repairman. Are you gifted in the area in which you

think you are called?

Another important consideration is your natural inclination. Someone invigorated by

accounting facts, for example, is likely not going to enjoy a position in pastoral care. You may

find spiritual gifts tests and even personality tests to be helpful in determining your natural

gifting and inclination.

Another area to consider is your experience. God prepares us before launching us into our

calling (in the Bible we see this occur with David’s training under Saul prior to his taking the

throne. Reggie McNeal’s A Work of Heart does an excellent job depicting this time of

preparation). Are there things in your past that God will use to contribute to your work in the

call?

Also, you’ll want to seek counsel (Proverbs 11:14 and 15:22). Others can often see strengths

and weaknesses in us that we cannot. It is helpful to receive input from trusted, godly friends. It

is also helpful to observe others’ reactions to you. Do people seem to naturally follow you, or do

you often have to force your leadership? Are people naturally open with you and share their

concerns? While it is important to seek counsel, it is also important not to rely solely on this.

Sometimes our friends and family are wrong (1 Samuel 16:7). However, honest feedback from

those who love you should help confirm your calling.

Every person has a unique calling from God. The call to vocational ministry, however, is

particularly public, and those in public ministry are often both highly regarded and highly

criticized. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers,

because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Those in ministry leadership
positions are held to high standards because they are guiding others. The books of 1 and 2

Timothy and Titus list requirements for those in church leadership positions.

When determining whether or not you are called to vocational ministry, consider what it will

entail, be courageous, and trust God. If God has called you, He will equip you and fill you so that

you may be poured out for others ( Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:20-21; Ephesians 3:20-21; Psalm

37:23; and Isaiah 30:21).

One more thing;it is important to keep moving. We sometimes refuse to move until we are

certain of the call. But it is easier to redirect something already in motion than to get something

moving. When we step out in faith, even if our step is not quite in the right direction, God is

faithful to guide us.8

III. The Call to the Ministry

A history of pastoral ministry must begin in the Old Testament. The theme, “The Lord is my

shepherd” (Ps. 23:1), expresses the pastoral role of God with His people.Tidball describes this

image as “underlining paradigm in the ministry,” and points out that it contains “references to the

authority, tender care, specific task, courage and sacrifice required of the pastor. The Old

Testament often describes Israel as sheep who need a shepherd (Ps. 100:3; Ps. 44:22; 119:176;

Jer. 23:1; 50:6).9

Thus the Old Testament provides an important basis for understanding the office and

function of the pastor. The Shepherd Himself displays His Fatherly care, love, mercy, discipline,

compassion, and delight toward His people whom He desires to love and fear Him with a pure

heart. The image of a shepherd also demonstrates God’s authority, faithfulness, as well as the

necessity and implications of obedience to Him. Servant leaders exemplify both strengths and

weaknesses as God uses them to carry out His sovereign plan in human history.10

b. New Testament

The New Testament builds on this Old Testament foundation as it reveals the Chief

Shepherd, Christ in all His wisdom, glory, power and humility. (John 10:11, 14; 1 Peter 5:4).The

person and work of the great Shepherd culminates in His death and resurrection. The good

Shepherd gave His life for His sheep whom He calls to Himself (John 10:11-16). These “called

out” ones are His church. Christ as head of the church, leads His church (Eph. 1:22; 5: 23-25)

9
John MacArthur, Jr, Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry: shaping contemporary ministry with Biblical
mandates, (Word Publishing: Dallas. London. Vancouver. Melbourne; 1995.) p.37-38
10
MacArthurjr., 38
and shepherds it. He calls pastors as under shepherds function and give oversight under His

authority (1 Pet. 5:1-4).11

“I thought I heard the voice of God, and climbed the highest steeple; but God declared, go

down again, I dwell among the people.” 12The ministry of the gospel is done by the people of

God. It is the noblest of all callings. God has meant it to be very personal. He could have called

upon angels or other heavenly beings to carry out His work on earth. Instead, He chose to use

you and me.We are called to do God’s ministry, as the Bible states in Matthew 28:19-20, this is a

very clear statement that we are commission by God to share His Word.

Of course are not just called by God to sit and relax doing nothing in God’s ministry. God

has appointed us to do the ministry in His husbandry. After you are being called by God, He is

preparing you to the task, of course you need to undergo training, first you are being disciple to

learn things, and this is part of your training to be mature before doing your duty in the ministry.

Learn to love people; service without regard for public recognition; personal integrity, being a

good example; diligence in the service for the Lord; having a confidence to do your duty or

service in the Lord; being humble in the ministry which God was entrusted to you; having

initiative and courage. Before doing God’s ministry you need to be preparing, this is not an easy

task to do.13

One thing being a minister and called by God in His ministry, we also need to undergo

Theological training. Theology is a thrilling study. It’s learning about God. If you are going to

become a minister, then you will eagerly discover all you can about Him. Self-identity in Christ

11
MacArthur jr., 39
12
Jesse Miranda, The Christian Church in Ministry, (International Correspondence Institute: Brussels,
Belgium; 1980.) p. 174
13
Todd Hamilton, How to become a Minister of God, (Broadman Press: Nashville, Tenn., USA; 1984.) p. 51
is the key to theological training. 14 How can we minister people if we don’t know how to serve

them; through training in seminary we will be equip and ready to do God’s ministry by applying

what we have learned in the seminary. Like what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:2, “take the

teachings I shared with you… and pass them on to the best of your disciples.” We ought to pass

the teachings that we have learned from others.

14
Hamilton, 55
 IV. The Meaning of Ordination

Ordination is an official investment of religious authority upon a person. In the Old

Testament, priests were ordained. Most modern Christian denominations require some form of

ordination for those in ministry.15The modern definition of ordination is “the investiture of

clergy” or “the act of granting pastoral authority or sacerdotal power.” Usually, we think of an

ordination service as a ceremony in which someone is commissioned or appointed to a position

within the church. Often, the ceremony involves the laying on of hands.The act by which the

church sets apart leaders to serve in particular offices. The word ordination is derived from order.

In ordination the church orders itself for ministry.16

In Presbyterian denomination, minister of the church required to be ordaining before they

officiate the sacraments which is the Lord Supper and Baptism. You cannot do this task if you

are not ordain, and before you become an ordain minister you need to go with the process. There

are certain requirements before ordaining a person who are going to minister the particular

church. Before ordaining, a person need to study, finish undergraduate course like ABTheology

and after that there are required units to take in Master level at least 24 units as stated in the

minutes of Presbytery. But some denominations are not strict with ordaining their minister.

15
Taken from: Global Study Bible, English Standard Version; Glossary.
16
Taken from: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/today/ordination/
 V. Conclusion

It is really important for us to determine whether we are called or not. Because when we

know that we are being called by God we will not give up because we know that God will led us

amidst difficulties in life.It will really help us our identity as we live here on earth. We must not

lose our dedication in the service of God. Being called in the ministry of the Lord is not an easy

task, we will experience difficulties along the way, but take heart God will never leave us nor

forsake us, and because He is the One who called us He is also the One who will protect us.

Know our identity and we will know our focus while we are still here on earth. Know your

focus as being called by God, we should always remember that our calling is our vocation in

serving the Lord, this is not an occupation we should give reverence to the One who called us in

the ministry, because it is our great privilege serving the Lord of lords, King of kings, He deserve

our highest praises and Honor.

Calling in God’s ministry is a big privilege and responsibility as a Christian, knowing that we

are accountable to what has God entrusted to us. It is a precious gift from the Lord knowing that

we are chosen to be His servant, not all people having this kind of privilege. As a response to

God’s calling we must be grateful to every work that He has commanded to us.

We should be faithful to God, because God is the One who gives this privilege to us, if the

He is the One who is able to give this, He can also take away this privilege if we did not use it in

a right way, because sometimes we abuse the grace of God. In response to His calling as His

servant, let us thank Him and give all the praises to Him through our service in His ministry.