Considering Your Call - Called to the Ministry by Edmund Clowney

Called to the Ministry is a book that will help you out of what could be named “calling paralysis.”

Am I called to ministry? What does a call to ministry even look like, and is it different from being called to be a mechanic or a salesperson? Every pastor, ministry staff person, or person who has thought about becoming one has had these thoughts. Sometimes in the church today, we can make ministry sound like such a set-apart calling that if there's not an audible voice from God telling someone to go plant a church, one's calling is in question. 

Ed Clowney's book Called to the Ministry is a timeless classic on what the Bible says about Christ's calling today. It is written to remind its readers that the call we all have comes from the Lord itself, and the Word of God is the lamp for our feet.

First, Clowney addresses the Christian's primary call: The Christian's call to God himself. God has called us by name to become sons and daughters in his royal family. We are called to be Christians, and we are given a new life. The fact that he starts here might seem frustrating to the person reading this who wants to decide whether to go to seminary or not, but starting with an individual's call to God is essential, and the person struggling with a vocational call really needs to know that.

Next, Clowney reminds his readers that bearing the name of God calls us all to serve him first and foremost. Not necessarily in the kind of way that matches our personality test results or Spiritual Inventory Tests, but instead the kind of service that our fellowship needs. God's calling for our lives is a communal calling and a mutual ministry. 

The second half of Clowney's book is his answer to the question, "What is God's calling to the ministry?" He defines what ministry is in terms of authority, function, and gifts, which is really helpful for someone coming from a background that is not very theologically rich.

Finally, Clowney points to wisdom derived from God's Word as a guide to walking the Christian life. He also stresses the point of the church's calling to the one desiring to lead in gospel ministry.

This book is great reading for anyone wrestling with issues of calling or even to the one who is wrestling with their identity in Christ, and I'm thankful for Clowney's wisdom on the topic!

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