being called

[BabyLutheran]

Our pastor's sermon yesterday was about "Guess Where You're Going?"

He talked very briefly about how some denominations believe we make a decision for Christ, but then he explained the Lutheran position, we don't choose God, God chooses us. He alluded to Isaiah, Mary, and others in the Bible, and said they didn't choose God, God chose them, even when they didn't feel particularly worthy.

He also said it happened to him. He went to a meeting with his fiancee', and after the meeting she asked him, "God is calling you to go to seminary, isn't he?" They had never even talked about it before.

How did the pastors here realize that God was calling them? It would be interesting to hear some stories.

I know God is calling me, but I haven't figured out for what yet! lol

I just know that he has never given up on me and I am so thankful that he keeps reaching out and pulling me back into his bosom.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

"Come, follow me...."

That's the Call.
It's a call to faith and a call to ministry.
Now WHAT ministry????

IMHO, God opens the doors that you are to walked through. In MY life, I pay special attention to what I'm asked to do or what seems obvious. IMHO, the specific ministry God wants is something He reveals via His people. It's not so much something we seek as it is something that is offered. Perhaps you could speak privately with your pastor and/or president of the congregation. Share your experiences, training, passions - and see what is suggested?



Blessings!


- Josiah




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[BabyLutheran]

I will do that, but I am afraid that they will shove me into the financial stuff since I am a CPA.

I can't think of anything I would rather be doing less than that! lol

Actually, I am feeling a pull towards the social ministry, but it's hard to tell if it's me or God.

[DaRev]

In my case, my realization was a slow process. It began shortly after I joined the Lutheran Church when I was dragged, kicking and screaming, to teach a VBS class. I never thought that I would want to do something like that and was extremely reluctant. I would have never chosen to do something like that on my own. But once I was involved in it, I really enjoyed doing it. That led to me teaching Sunday School for three years. I also became one of the youth leaders in the church.
At about the same time I was asked to help with ushering during the service. I was then asked if I would sing in the choir, also something that I never thought I would do, but I did. That led to me becoming a cantor, chanting parts of the liturgy (our pastor couldn't carry a tune in a paper sack, and he'll be the first to tell you!). I was also elected to chair the board of trustees, thus I sat on the council for three years. I basically got to the point where I was more comfortable in the church than at home (and I truly enjoyed being home!).

After a while I began getting an inkling about going to seminary. (How I got there is another story altogether, and a rather fascinating one.) At seminary we are asked why we were there (a question we had to answer several times, BTW) and as I contemplated the events in my life, I could then see that God's call was evident throughout much of my life, even into my childhood. I just never recognized it until I got involved in the church.

If you think that God is calling you in that direction, I suggest you get involved in your congregation in some capacity. That may help you determine what His call for you is, if it indeed is His call for you.

[BabyLutheran]

Very interesting Rev! I am definitely going to get involved and see where God ends up putting me!

BTW, what age were you when you went to seminary? I feel like I am too old to start over, but I guess 46 is the new 30!

[LutheranChick]

Very interesting Rev! I am definitely going to get involved and see where God ends up putting me!

BTW, what age were you when you went to seminary? I feel like I am too old to start over, but I guess 46 is the new 30!
We have had many 'second career' pastors go through our seminary. They spend their earlier careers in a secular position and in their 40's or even 50's decided to go into the ministry.

[DaRev]

Very interesting Rev! I am definitely going to get involved and see where God ends up putting me!

BTW, what age were you when you went to seminary? I feel like I am too old to start over, but I guess 46 is the new 30!

I was 38 when I entered seminary. I had to get my Bachelor's degree first. In fact, I was already at the seminary when my Bachelor's diploma came in the mail. I wasn't able to attend my graduation ceremony because classes had already started at sem by then.
But there were a number of men there who were older than I.

[RevCowboy]

BL, many of the students at my seminary right now are older than you. We had two guys start at the age of 58, they were older than all the professors too. In fact, throughout the 90's pretty much the only people who went to seminary were older than 40. Finally we are starting to get some younger folks like me though.

As far as my story goes, I like to tell people that I was born into the Norwegian-Canadian Lutheran Pastors Breeding program. My Grandfather was a pastor, as well as one of his brothers and one of his brothers in law. My mother's four brothers all very seriously considered seminary but ended being very involved with the church in other ways. Interestingly 3 of them married the daughters of a pastor, missionary and professional church musician. I am the oldest of my cousins, but its likely that 1 or 2 of my male cousins will end up in ordained ministry.

When I was two years old instead of playing superhero dress up, I walking around the house in a towel wrapped around me saying, "Peace be with you". I had just been the ring bearer at my uncles' wedding where seven pastors were involved in the service.

In 9th grade, for career shadow day I follow my pastor around for a day, but I reported back that I would never be a pastor. Yet, my English teacher told me parents that she thought I would. In high school I thought I could be the Canadian version Reggie White, as a pastor playing professional football, but I gave up 5 university offers to play football and stayed in my home town to be more involved in church, Lutheran Campus Ministry, in outdoor ministry (bible camps) and to take a BA in History and Theology.

However, it wasn't until my first day of working at camp after my first year of university that I admitted to anyone else that I was seriously considering seminary. The director of the camp (who was also a good friend from campus ministry) asked me what I was going to do after school and I blurted out without thinking that I was going to seminary. He said that he was planning on going too. We are now best friends, and there are few other guys who are really good friends of mine who came form outdoor ministry and campus ministry to go to seminary.

Looking back, there wasn't really anything else that I wanted to do with my life. It also helps that nearly everyday from the time I was in 12th grade continuing through today, someone different has told me that I either should consider ministry or that I will be a good pastor. I am not ready to say that I will be good... but I thank God for the constant assurance.

My best friend new he was doomed for seminary when his Muslim dentist told him that he thought he would be a good pastor after a long discussion about faith and religion. I don't think God could have been any less subtle in that case.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

My mother is the daughter and sister of Lutheran pastors, and my Dad is a pastor (not Lutheran). And for about 3 years, I was in a very close/commited relationship with a girl whose dad is an ELCA pastor.

Some have encouraged me to consider seminary and the parish ministry - most of all the father of my former s/o. My Dad, actually, has been very purposely NEUTAL on this subject, not wishing to sway me either way (his only advise - wise I think - is to not rush it; I may have graduated from college at 19 but I have lots of time to consider this).

While I HAVE seriously prayed about this, I'm 95% confident it is not where God wants me. I have a HUGE respect for the office, and via my father and mother, I know what ministry is all about (probably better than most seminarians). I am a STRONG supporter of pastors and of the pastoral ministry...

And I CERTAINLY am a theology junkie and I rejoice that my faith has grown and continues to grow.

BUT, I well know that a HUGE part of the 'job' is administrative, dealing with issues in people'e lives, etc., etc., etc. People who think pastors spend most of their time preaching, teaching and praying - all with the hugs of their parish members need to spend some time talking with a pastor. It's TOUGH, challenging, work - and much of it has surprisingly little to do with what they are called AND ESPECIALLY trained to do. It's all the other stuff that I don't think is "for me." I can be an "Aaron" for my pastor, however.

Another thing. For a young male, I'm very much a "softy" with a pretty tender heart. I think I'd last a few weeks in the "real world" of congregational life. In other things - not dealing with what is SOOOOOOO central to my life - I'm as "tough" as the next guy (or gal).


On thing I've heard over and over, is that more and more seminarians are older, "second-career" guys who have been very active in the parish for LOTS of years. These guys know what they are getting into. I think there's a lot of wisdom there....


As a PK, I really need to post here sometime of what I saw in my house. Laypeople have no idea of what I saw in my father - who LOVES Jesus, His people and His church soooooooooooooooooo much. It's nice he got paid and a nice deal made during Pastor's Appreciation Month (AT LEAST DO THOSE THINGS!) but almost none had any idea....



Pax


- Josiah




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[BabyLutheran]

I can't imagine how tough the job is, and I am so thankful that some are called to do it.

I am just going to settle in, pray a lot, and see what I can do to help at my church. If God wants me to do something, I am sure he will let me know!

It is hard to discern though. I have been in a serious seeking mode for about 3 years, driving my wife crazy because I didn't want church lite anymore. I think about God constantly now, which is a great thing, but sometimes makes it hard to get my vocation done. I really feel that God is preparing me for something big, and I just have to be patient and let him lead me to what it is.

Thanks for all the great posts, it is really fun to read about your personal witnesses.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I can't imagine how tough the job is, and I am so thankful that some are called to do it.

I am just going to settle in, pray a lot, and see what I can do to help at my church. If God wants me to do something, I am sure he will let me know!

It is hard to discern though. I have been in a serious seeking mode for about 3 years, driving my wife crazy because I didn't want church lite anymore. I think about God constantly now, which is a great thing, but sometimes makes it hard to get my vocation done. I really feel that God is preparing me for something big, and I just have to be patient and let him lead me to what it is.

Thanks for all the great posts, it is really fun to read about your personal witnesses.
When I started attending at my church regularly, I had a pretty long discussion with the pastor about a lot of things, and among them is where I could help.

Where I would have LIKED to help is with the worship team (I have experience with that, I LOVE to sing - and I'm good at it - and I play the guitar pretty well) but I really wasn't needed there; and the minister of music (a great and gifted man) said he'd "work me in" but that has rarely happened - and I'm not going to press that. There may be ALL KINDS of dynamics going on - and I'll just let that be.

What the pastor suggested was helping with the youth and the junior high Sunday School class. Well, I discounted the youth group because I was 19 at that point, and while a senior in college, just too close to their age to be a good worker. I think youth workers should be over 21 (and preferrably married). But I did talk to the Education person and offered to help there, if needed. I asked to just "sit in" on the junior high class for a few weeks, just to get to know all of them and stuff, but the VERY NEXT WEEK, the teacher resigned noting, "that new guy can take it over!" YEESSSS, I immediately phoned the pastor on that one. He said he'd talk with the teacher but that he didn't think I'd done anything wrong, he was just looking for the first "out" and was pretty "burned out" there. Anyway, I think all was okay. I still was not Confirmed and a member of the church, and now was in a position of teaching - not helping, so I needed to be sure all were okay with that, and they were. So, I've been doing that.

Ironcially, the two other things I've gotten involved with are things I never would have thought of - but they are just things that NEED help. One is evangelism. The "team" there (I use that term loosely) is mostly a man and wife, and pretty overwhelmed. So, I've been helping with some stuff and was made officially a member of that committee. Ironically, I don't really have that gift at all, but they just needed help- and I can do that. The other thing is that the Trustees have been working hard to spruce things up (the facilities need it) and I came to a "work party" and while I'm not a 'handyman' hey I can paint and garden and clean.... The Chairman sent me a "Thank You" note and even called to say how much he and the Trustees appreciated my help; well, I've been a part of all their things ever since. They seem to need it and I can do some things there.

I've volunteered as a reader and usher, too.


Opportunities seem to present themself.....



Pax


- Josiah





"Ask NOT what your church can do for you, ask what YOU can do for your church." - My father.



.

[NordicLutheran]

My call happened to me during confirmation. I realized how brilliant and complex faith was. I discovered that being so intersted in the teaching and spreading of the faith was a calling from the Lord, but it really boiled down to me wanting to spread the Gospel through word and sacrament as a Pastor. Hopefully I'll get that chance in 7 1/2 years. I want to let people know that even if their world is crumbling apart and everything is chaotic, none of that matters for He is risen.

[DaRev]

My call happened to me during confirmation. I realized how brilliant and complex faith was. I discovered that being so intersted in the teaching and spreading of the faith was a calling from the Lord, but it really boiled down to me wanting to spread the Gospel through word and sacrament as a Pastor. Hopefully I'll get that chance in 7 1/2 years. I want to let people know that even if their world is crumbling apart and everything is chaotic, none of that matters for He is risen.

Blessings to you. :)

[Zecryphon]

I will do that, but I am afraid that they will shove me into the financial stuff since I am a CPA.

I can't think of anything I would rather be doing less than that! lol

Actually, I am feeling a pull towards the social ministry, but it's hard to tell if it's me or God.
I've found that good way to determine whether the calling I'm feeling towards a certain area of ministry is of me or of God is to pray about it and often. Also seek the counsel of other Christians and see what they have to say.

[Lupinus]

My Pastor wasn't a young man when he went to seminary, actually for Lutherans it seems pretty common.

Pastor says some men have a midlife crises and get a Corvette...he went to seminary.

[DaRev]

My Pastor wasn't a young man when he went to seminary, actually for Lutherans it seems pretty common.

Pastor says some men have a midlife crises and get a Corvette...he went to seminary.

Guilty, as charged. ^_^

[BabyLutheran]

Hmmm...precisely what I am feeling!

[DaRev]

Hmmm...precisely what I am feeling!

Go for it!!! :thumbsup:

[BabyLutheran]

I meant the Corvette!!!!


lol

j/k!

[DaRev]

There was a second career student at sem when I was there who drove a Jaguar. I guess he had mid-crisis really bad. ^_^

[Lupinus]

Maybe he just had two?

[PreachersWife2004]

Someone on a different board once told me that I should consider the ministry... ^_^

[DaRev]

Someone on a different board once told me that I should consider the ministry... ^_^

Deaconess? :D

[PreachersWife2004]

Deaconess? :D

Ha! Not quite. They thought I should actually be a pastor somewhere.

That kinda makes sense, since a lot of the theological answers I was giving were helped along by hubby. :preach:

But during that same time is when two people told me I was so closed-minded and judgmental they were glad that they weren't Christians, if that was how they were supposed to act. This was in reference to a fellowship principle. :sigh:

Can't win them all, I suppose.

As for my "true" calling, I always wanted to be a teacher in the WELS, but believed (wrongly) that because I went to a public high school that I couldn't go to DMLC (now known as MLC. They dropped the doctor for some reason...) and no one from that school came to our church - they only visited Michigan Lutheran Seminary and Huron Valley LHS so I thought I was out of luck.

I ended up not being a teacher at all. I majored in political science and communications.

And now I'm married to a pastor, which is a full-time calling!! :D

[LutheranChick]

And sometimes, it isn't so much that we are called, but that we are dragged... LOL. As in my case, anyway. I took piano lessons when I was a kid, but quit playing years and years ago. One of the things I adamantly said I would NEVER do would be to play the organ at church. (I just got too nervous playing in front of people, and, never thought I was 'good enough'). Well, I would relent when the organist would call me and ask to substitute, occasionally, then eventually she retired completely- and I was the ONLY one in the congregation that could read notes and play any type of keyboard. So I became organist by default. That was 9 years ago. Over the years, I have improved and, while I still make LOTS of mistakes, I can at least get the congregation through the service, and that is one of the ways I serve the Lord. Not the only way, of course. A Christian serves the Lord in everything they do- even at secular jobs.

[DaRev]

And sometimes, it isn't so much that we are called, but that we are dragged... LOL.

This is true. I myself was "dragged" kicking and screaming into helping teach VBS one year, something that I couldn't ever see myself doing. And, in a sense, I've been doing it ever since.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

And sometimes, it isn't so much that we are called, but that we are dragged... LOL.

I 'hear' what you are saying, and it's a good and valid point.

But let me just share the flip side. Luther said something like "the man doesn't seek the call, the call seeks the man." Perhaps what is meant is that God presents the need more than we seeking to fill one.

I'm on the Board of Trustees. This strikes me as very odd since my interests are in music, worship and education (I'm also the middle school Sunday School teacher). I (I stress that word!!!!!) think my gifts and interests lie more in education and worship.

But the head trustee (nice guy, BTW) made this passionate plea in church for a 'work party' (a Lutheran euphenism for "work hard for free") becausre there were some physical things around the property that needed to get done. I'm NOT a "handiman" but I can do gardening, I can paint, I can make the toilet stop running, LOL. So I came. I worked for several hours (got a nice sunburn, I don't live shirtless anymore) and the Trustee both sent me a nice Thank You note in the mail and made a real point of thanking me the next Sunday, and noted that I really helped. I returned the next month. The same day I was Confirmed, he asked me to join his committee. That's significant, he ASKED me ("call"?). I agreed.... I DO tend to say "yes" too easily (and that's NOT always a good or right thing to do), but IMHO, there's something to be said that GOD calls us, we don't tell Him.


Just a small thought; I DO agree with your point.



Just MY $0.00


Pax


- Josiah






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[BabyLutheran]

How does God work things out for older people to go to seminary? I would love to find a site where there were stories of it.

I have only $40,000 saved for retirement in my IRA at age 46, 29 years 8 months left on my $280,000 mortgage, 2 kids in college, a 9 year old, and my wife makes $10 an hour working part time at the CPA firm that I would have to give up ownership in in order to go to seminary.

I don't care much about money, but reality sets in sometimes! lol

[LutheranChick]

How does God work things out for older people to go to seminary? I would love to find a site where there were stories of it.

I have only $40,000 saved for retirement in my IRA at age 46, 29 years 8 months left on my $280,000 mortgage, 2 kids in college, a 9 year old, and my wife makes $10 an hour working part time at the CPA firm that I would have to give up ownership in in order to go to seminary.

I don't care much about money, but reality sets in sometimes! lol
I guess it's faith that the Lord will provide. One of our pastors (2nd career) went to seminary with a wife and 5 children. I never asked how he managed, but obviously he did. And I don't mean to infer that you don't have 'enough faith'. Perhaps you are exactly where the Lord wants you. But whatever decision you make- I have confidence that the Lord will see you through.

[DaRev]

How does God work things out for older people to go to seminary? I would love to find a site where there were stories of it.

I have only $40,000 saved for retirement in my IRA at age 46, 29 years 8 months left on my $280,000 mortgage, 2 kids in college, a 9 year old, and my wife makes $10 an hour working part time at the CPA firm that I would have to give up ownership in in order to go to seminary.

I don't care much about money, but reality sets in sometimes! lol

When I entered seminary, the LCMS seminaries had rather large endowments, coupled with district and congregational support, that covered our entire tuition costs for the three years we spent on campus. I don't believe that they are able to offer that at present. My living expenses were basically covered by work-study income and student loans. My vicarage congregation paid for my housing and moving costs to and from there and our medical coverage, plus a "salary".

Now keep in mind that I was a single father and I lived on campus with my two sons. In my case it was "Yahweh yireh", the Lord will provide.