Knowing if you’re called to ministry is a deeply personal and often transformative journey. It’s not just about a single, dramatic moment (though those can happen) but rather a combination of factors: a growing desire to serve, the affirmation of others, and opportunities that seem to align in ways you can’t ignore.
It’s about that quiet, persistent sense of purpose, the voices of those around you confirming your spiritual gifts, and the courage to step forward, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear. If you’re wondering if ministry is where you’re being called, know that it’s a process of listening, trusting, and taking one faithful step at a time.
Though the Bible does not give one distinct definition of the word ‘ministry,’ it is clear that throughout the Old and New Testament, God’s people engage in ministry in a variety of ways.
According to the Bible, Christian ministry (as well as the word ‘minister’) appears more often as a verb than a title. In the Old Testament, those who served as priests were known to minister to God’s heart, while in the New Testament, church leaders also ministered to the people.
“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.”
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
To minister simply means to serve. God shows us through the Old Testament that when we worship Him, we serve Him and place Him above ourselves. Similarly, in the New Testament, we observe God taking the gifts of His people and using them to build up the church and serve its members.
How does God call you into ministry?
God can call us into ministry in several ways, two of which are through internal and external calling. Here are some examples of what that could look like:
An Internal Calling to Ministry
1. God’s still small voice.
God’s way of calling us into ministry doesn’t have to be loud or epic. He often speaks words of direction and calling through His gentle whisper. We see this exemplified in 1 Kings 19:12-13:
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
2. Conviction from the Spirit through The Word of God.
God can speak in various ways. He isn’t always whispering directly into our ears, but as we read His Word, we can discern His voice and feel His conviction through it. For instance, someone might read a passage as simple as James 1:27 and feel compelled to dedicate their entire lives to full-time ministry. They might initiate the adoption process or start caring for widows, all because God moved their hearts through reading.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
3. Recognizing how God created you.
Another way of being called into ministry is by personally recognizing how God made you and gifted you. As we read in Ephesians 4, God gives different gifts to church members to contribute to the body as a whole. Consider your own giftings and ask the Lord where you could serve and meet the needs of your church or community. He knows you best! He knows where your giftings can fit and how they could bless others. Your personal experiences and giftings might contribute to your church and community more than you realize. So, take time to ask God what He sees in you and where He wants to lead you.
Think you’re called to ministry? Discover more here >>
An External Calling to Ministry
People don’t always recognize their own giftings. For some, it can take years. Sometimes, it takes our friends and Christian leaders to identify and call out those gifts in us so that we can recognize what we have inside. This is one reason why being a part of a Christian community can be so important! We can assist each other in discerning our giftings and calls.
A great example of being called out by another believer in the Bible is when the prophet Samuel chose David to be Israel’s next king.
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
Courageous Obedience
As you can see, sometimes God can make someone’s call very obvious by using others to speak, as He did for David through Samuel. But often, we have to trust that quiet voice within us and choose to act on what God is speaking. When someone receives a call on their cell phone, they can pick up the phone actively in response or ignore it. Similarly, your calling to ministry, whatever that is, will not be fulfilled if you don’t take the steps to make it happen. So take courage and try that out, even if you’ve never done it before.
Prior to David becoming king, there was a man named Saul who ruled as king of the Israelites. Saul walked in disobedience to God’s leading, and as a result, God replaced him with someone who was willing to respond obediently. The principle we can learn from this is that God loves our obedience. When God presents us with opportunities, we can choose to obey Him, as David did, or pursue our own path, as Saul did. So be obedient in whatever ministry area God is leading you to!
Discerning God’s Calling to Ministry
We can all agree that discerning God’s call to a life of ministry can be a difficult process. Here are a few more ways that could help you in your journey:
Through scripture. Take some time to look through the scriptures and see how God called people, how they responded, and what God says about ministry throughout the Bible.
Through Prayer. It is important to remember that without God’s spirit, ministry can merely be works. So, ask Him what He wants to say and where He wants to lead you in ministry. Take some time to pray about it, and don’t feel pressured to rush that process. This is where the fun begins! God will take you on a wild journey of discovery if you keep Him as the main focus, not just what you are doing.
Through Wise Counsel. Along with the story of David being anointed by Samuel, there are other stories in the Bible where wise counsel brought transformation in the lives of those needing advice. In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law gave him advice that helped him better lead the Israelites. Elijah taught Elisha many things and walked through life with Him. Eli practically raised Samuel. Jesus spoke intentionally into the lives of twelve men, doing ministry with them for three years.
Proverbs 24:5 says:
“Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.”
What is the purpose of ministry?
- Ministry to God is to adore Him, love Him, and serve Him.
- Ministry within the church is for the purpose of building up the church.
- Ministry outside of the church involves bringing heaven to earth and calling the lost into a relationship with God, so they, too, can join the body of Christ in ministering to His heart.
Is God Calling you Into Ministry?
Now, it is time for you to ask yourself the question above. It might take time to discern with the Lord, or you might already know based on how He has already been leading you. The encouraging thing is that as life often continues to change, you will probably come up against these questions again, and God will again be there to help you discern what to do.
Ministry is simple. It is serving God and others. Don’t overthink it. We serve a big God who can answer our biggest questions and lead us where He wants us to be.
Jesus tells us in Mark 12 to love God and to love our neighbors. Start there, and He will lead you the rest of the way!
Training in Ministry:
If, after reading this, you find yourself having a deeper desire to learn more about ministry opportunities, are wondering how to start a ministry, or getting trained to serve in different ways, check out the Discipleship Training School & the Catalyst Bible School.
- The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a six-month training program that teaches you to know God deeper and to make Him known wherever you go!
- The Catalyst Bible School is an advanced training program that includes DBS, immerses and grounds you in the Word of God, equips you with practical skills and opportunities to disciple others in God’s Word and launches you into your role in God’s story.
Take the first step in your journey of discovery and service, and watch how God transforms your life and the lives of others through your obedience and dedication. Get started >>
