Called to Preach?
 

I'm curious how many preachers felt "called" to preach. And what exactly does that mean? Did you hear a still small voice, or was it more of a feeling? I am always curious about that culture and how many people come into it because they have parents/grandparents that are ministers, are steered that way during Bible school, or just want to be a preacher and make the choice.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Why don't you start us off, being a Bishop.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

It was a very strong calling... :happydance

Re: Called to Preach?
 

I hope everyone else replies "It was a very strong calling"..should make this thread one of the most interesting AFF has ever seen :heeheehee

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Alright, alright. I'm not a bishop. But I like the title a lot. :bigbaby

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Mostly i was by myself getting picked up by the church bus. family stayed at home.
In and out of church when i could drive.

but. It just started out as I want to do something for the Lord. I didnt know if it was a call to preach or just wanting to be active. eventually i would put out a fleece and the Lord answered it with a yes.

So i persued ministering /preaching. But what i ran into was something i didnt expect. rejection. infact when i spoke to 2 of my former pastors One helped me get in a minstry that was actually outside the church which I loved and did for over 2 years. preaching 3-4 times a month.

eventually though i wanted to go for liscenship. I sorta got shut down cause i didnt have a "degree" the other one. Sorta spoke some words and it never went past that.

3rd pastor apopted me, was the most supportive of the three.

Eventually i was told, then when some one wants to preach. They actually do meet you with rejection. stating those who want to preach will find away, those that are just caught up in the moment will stop the persuit. <- this is pullpit preaching btw.

Eventually I found myself doing many things. preaching in rescue missions, jails,and ministering to some youth as well.

Man can have to much ministry and neglect there family in the Process. God wants you to take care of both.

I havent preach much this year. alittle at the beginning. but i have decided to stop. cause i need to get some logs out of my eyes before i can help other people get the twigs out of theirs.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Some were called....some were sent...some just got up n went.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Very interesting. So, it just evolved from a desire to help in some way. :thumbsup

Re: Called to Preach?
 

pretty much

Re: Called to Preach?
 

I was saved at the age of 17 on Monday night March 28, 1955.
Not too long after that there was this "feeling" sorta like a voice within me telling me that I was "called" to serve God.

The noun "minister" means "servant." The verb "to minister" means "to serve."

For over half a century I have "served God" or "ministered" in various ways. Some times it was preaching from a pulpit. Some times it was teaching publicly. Some times it was praying for someone personally one on one or some times not even near them physically but praying for them. Some times it was speaking an encouraging word. Some times it was giving them money to pay a doctor bill or to pay for a prescription. Some times it was bringing groceries to them. Some times it was buying them a meal. Some times it was taking them in my vehicle and letting them practice driving and parking and taking their test for a driver's license.

Ministry comes in many forms. I believe we serve God by serving people, and the people we serve are not always God's people.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Only in the UPCI can someone tell a young minister that to be crushed by other ministers in their early stages is somehow a validation of the truth of their calling. Wonder why there is a whole generation of independent church planters who went to a UPCI bible college, went to UPCI churches, and now have nothing to do with them? I know of about 20+ off the top of my head.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

You know that you know. And if you minister and it affects no one in a spiritual manner, you were not called.

Heb. 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God,

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Yea i agree. though it may be only planting seeds, some times you get to reap the harvest.

I have had some deep times in ministering. I remember getting pumped up to preach one night out side the church, had a rough time at home so i stoped by the church, and when into a heavy prayer. i left the church drove to where i was going, got there, my eyes still puffy and red, they knew i had been crying.

That was one of the best services i ever preached. it was over matthew 6:33
Taking aim tword heaven. as fixing sights like a rifle.

at the end I prayed over every one. I just prayed but the Spirit was moving and to me i was just speaking what was on my mind. But after the service. Many came back in and said basically you was opening up my mail in prayer.

Buddy it wasnt me its God, i cant do nothing.

God worked through me in a way i never experienced before. it was awsome.
He definatly is awsome

Re: Called to Preach?
 

:)

Re: Called to Preach?
 

One woman with several children told her pastor that she felt like God had called her to preach.

The pastor said, "Sister, God not only called you to preach, He gave you a congregation."

Re: Called to Preach?
 

I've heard this many times...preached like its the gospel!!! Not just in UPC churches (as I've never been UPC)

Re: Called to Preach?
 

I was just having this discussion with my sister last night! lol

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Hahahahahahahahahaha....

Now that I've laughed, I have no flesh of my flesh children. But I am called and I do preach and do I really want to get into this thread and the possible debate that it will produce? No, I don't. I have to teach at church tonight! Much more fun! I'm out....

:icecream

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Made the same conclusion and just decided to post my testimony elsewhere :) Done with the "women can't preach" stuff. :)

Re: Called to Preach?
 

I have no problem with ladies who have God's call upon them.
As far as I'm concerned men and women are equal in God's sight
and women can do and be anything for God that men can.
There's even one lady apostle in the Bible named Junia (Ref Romans 16:7).

First person Jesus told that He was the Messiah/Christ was a woman and she went into town and proclaimed it and many believed because of her preaching. That's in John chapter 4.

Re: Called to Preach?
 

Interesting