How to Discern the Call to Ministry (and How to Start Preparing for Pastoral Leadership)

The call to ministry is unique. There is no placement test or assessment to definitively tell you what you are called to. It’s not about your IQ, SAT score, or your parents’ careers. Rather, God plants a small seed into people’s hearts and nurtures it, directing them towards pastoral ministry. The question is, how can a person discern if they are called to pastoral leadership?

As someone considering a vocation in ministry, this question has probably been on your mind. You may be called to pastoral ministry training if you consistently experience a desire to teach or preach Scripture, affirmation from others, a burden for spiritual leadership, and a willingness to be trained and equipped for ministry. While Scripture provides lists of qualifications for ministry leaders, there is no chapter entitled, “How to discern the call to ministry.” Pastoral candidates can determine if they should pursue a pastoral role through prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, and hearing others’ stories.

5 Ways to Discern the Call to Ministry

Seeking the Lord’s Will in Prayer: One of the hallmarks of the Christian life is seeking the Lord’s will for your life. When the question of pastoral ministry is on your mind, your first instinct should be to turn to God with humility, asking Him to guide your decisions and shape your desires. Learning to surrender your plans to the Lord in prayer is an important part of discerning His call to ministry.

Seeking the Lord’s Will in Scripture: Seeking the Lord’s will in Scripture means looking to examples like Abraham and Esther, who both had to trust God in uncertain and difficult circumstances. Abraham followed God with open hands, even when he did not know where he was being led, while Esther sought God’s favor and courage as she stepped forward in faith. As you discern a call to ministry, Scripture reminds you to stay close to the Lord, trust His character, and seek His guidance as you consider your next steps.

Seeking the Lord’s Will Through Wise Counsel: Seeking the Lord’s will through wise counsel means inviting trusted mentors and friends into the discernment process. Because others can often see your situation more clearly than you can, their perspective can help you process your thoughts, weigh your options, and gain clarity as you consider a call to ministry.

Stories From Those Who Have Sensed the Call to Ministry: Stories from those who have sensed the call to ministry can also help as you discern God’s leading. Pastor Lawrence La-Follette first sensed the call to ministry as a sophomore in high school, and his youth pastor’s influence helped shape that desire into a lifelong sense of purpose. “I answered, ‘This! I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ What I was trying to convey was that I wanted to carry on the same influence that he had on my life with other people. I wanted to go into youth ministry and replicate that same impact on other youth students who needed a godly influence,” La-Follette said. Dr. Rock LaGioia also sensed God’s call while attending a Bible conference, and through the counsel of mentors and mature believers, he found confirmation to pursue the pastorate. “While training for ministry, I was engaged in an excellent pastoral internship in which I gained mentors to help me as I began my ministry vocation. My favorite part of serving in ministry is the Spirit-empowered preaching and teaching that I sometimes experience. There is nothing like seeing life transformation happen and knowing that it is only by His grace that I get to be a part of it.”

Review scriptural qualifications and encouragements: Scripture plainly spells out the qualifications for elders in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. An aspiring pastor would do well to know these qualifications and measure their lives by them. In addition, there are two key passages that warn and encourage pastors that an aspiring pastor will want to know. In Acts 20:17-38, Paul meets with the Ephesian elders and encourages them to shepherd the church. He also warns them to guard and protect the church from those who would lead her astray. Peter also encourages pastors. In 1 Pet. 5:1-4, he challenges shepherds with seven characteristics of pastoral leadership.

By spending time in prayer and the Word, as well as receiving wise counsel and hearing stories from other people, you will be able to discern the call to ministry.

How to Begin Pastoral Ministry Training

Once you know you are called to preach, the next step is to consider the education you should pursue in order to fit your unique calling. A theological seminary can help you test your calling, grow in biblical knowledge, and gain pastoral ministry training under guidance.

Here at Grace Seminary, we offer a wide variety of degree programs in multiple formats so that you can find pastoral ministry training that works best for you. Check out our degree programs and meet our faculty to get started today.