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Are You Called To Preach or Teach God's Word?   

The Bible preacher and teacher; who  are they? What has God called them to do?  How to know for sure you are called to preach and how to be ordained for ministry?


First and foremost, the minister of God's Word will have experienced the new birth and will be walking in a determined dependence upon the indwelling  Holy Spirit.  This  is  a  constant concern within the heart of one called to the ministry.   And  this concern will remain perpetually as a preoccupation of great delight, devotion and duty.

Secondly,  The  minister is  gifted  to  preach  and  teach  the Word of  God. The authority of the call is the exclusive prerogative of Christ alone, for He calls whomsoever He wills. He said to His disciples: "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain (John 15:16).  The minister is concerned with leading people to Christ and Christians to maturity.  (1 Tim 3:6). 


God's minister are motivated and moved by a four-fold cord:
1. The Greatness of God (Isaiah 6:1)
2. The Grace of God (Isaiah 6:7)
3. The Groaning of God (Isaiah 6:8)                   
4. They Grow In Godliness (The Marks Of A Preacher) 


​Thirdly, The minister remains engaged in a systematic, structured and comprehensive study of the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).  College Of The Open Bible provides degree & diploma programs designed specifically for ministers.

How can one know for sure that God has called them to the ministry of preaching and teaching the Word of God?


The Biblical answer is: God's calling becomes the chief  preoccupation of your thinking and conversation. You just can't shrug it away (Jeremiah 20:9).  The Holy Spirit  weighs on the heart of the individual, burdens them personally with the necessity of preaching the word, and gives them that holy unction to be God's mouthpiece.  It is the spiritually active believer that is conditioned to discern God's call.  The carnal believer is void of any sensitivity to God's distinct small voice and prompting.  


​If you sense God has called you to the ministry of preaching or teaching His Word; seek godly counsel from your pastor and other experienced and seasoned ministers.   Seek the face of God in this regard. If God has called you to preach... His providence in doing so will make your calling an unflinching conviction.  It will be obvious that you will never be happy or settled substituting God's call with any other labor (1 Cor. 9:16). 

​Called To Ministry?  To What Capacity of Ministry?
 

Test Yourself... 
A. The Gift of Prophecy - Proclaims the Truth 
B. The Gift of Knowledge - Clarifies the Truth 
C. The Gift of Wisdom - Applies the Truth 
D. The Gift of Teaching - Imparts the Truth 
E. The Gift of Exhortation - Inspires obedience to the Truth 

#1: Do you find yourself with great desire to proclaim Jesus Christ and do you follow through in that desire?  If so, God has gifted you with the gift of prophecy (not foretelling but forth-telling); 1 Corinthians. 14:1,4. You are not called to proclaim revelation, you are called to reiteration of God's Word. Simply put, God has called you to be a preacher in the capacity of pastoral ministry, evangelism or missions. 

#2: Do you find that you have the ability to observe biblical facts and make a correct conclusion?  If so, God has gifted you with teaching. This gift can be applied to both public and private audiences.  Likely, God has called you to be a pastor or a lay-teacher. 

#3: Do you find that you have the ability to understand God's will and make application of it? If so, God has gifted you with the Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians. 12:8a) This can be applied in the area of counseling and pastoral ministry. 

#4: Do you find yourself with the desire and ability to strengthen and encourage believers to walk by faith?  If so, God has given you the gift of exhortation (Romans 12:8). This is the ability to come alongside someone who needs building up. Barnabas was great at encouraging.  If this is your habit and desire,  God has called you to be an evangelist and can be applied in the area of pastoral, evangelism, and/or missions 

It is important to note that if God has called you to be a pastor, all of the above is in your possession. It is imperative that you allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate these gifts in you in order that you may be proved and approved for the pastorate or whatever capacity God is calling you to.  This is where a sound biblical seminary education becomes essential.  Visit College Of The Open Bible  and begin the process to answering your call to preach with a sound biblical and affordable seminary education today.


Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger