The Significance of Pastoral Call

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barclay, William. The Acts of the Apostles. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976.

Coleman, Robert. The Master Plan of Discipleship. New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1928.

Gordon, MacDonald. God’s Calling Plan: So what exactly is a “call to ministry”?. Volume XXIV, 2003.

Greim, Janny. Called, Appointed, Annointed. London: Harrison House Publishers, 1999.

Holderness, Jackie. Career and Calling. Grand Rapids: Geneva Press, 2001

Kelly, P John. Anointed for Calling. Grand Rapids: Ministryhouse Publishing, 2004

McDowell, Josh. Youth in Crisis Resource: Vocational Issues. Philadelphia: W Publishing Group, 1996.

Interview with Dunnam, Maxie. Helping Others Answer the Call. Volume XXIV, 2003.

Reed, Eric and Hansen Collin. How Pastors Rate as Leaders. Volume XXIV, 2003.

Willimon, William. Calling and Character. Illinois: Abingdon Press, 2000.

Witherington, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.

Introduction

Over this past semester we have been discussing the significance of the pastoral call and I have found it very fascinating because it is relevant to me. The reason that I decided to choose the topic on the significance of the pastoral call is because this is a subject that interests me the most. Recently I have been battling with how to determine God’s will. I have decided to approach the significance of a call as a youth pastors perspective. I have chosen this perspective because I am in the youth ministry program and work as a pastor. Along with this perspective I take a look at the life of Paul as he deals with training and sensitivity to the significance of his calling. After reading and learning from resources about knowing God’s will, choosing a ministry or career, and choosing a college it is my goal and hope to apply these counseling strategies to my ministry.

Knowing God’s Will

The first time I came across the problem of knowing God’s will was when I was an adolescent so I turned to Josh McDowell book. He wrote a counseling guide to youth and a topic on vocational issues explains that the main reason why there is a problem with discerning God’s will is because during the adolescents stage there is the most pressure of what to do in life. I do agree with the pressure that adolescents face but I also think that there are many other issues that come along with not knowing being able to discern God’s will.

That is when the causes of not discerning God’s will are mentioned. Realizing that God does have a will for everyone is important to understand and it is said that it starts with the parents to teach their children this at a young age. I am reminded of Deuteronomy 6:5-9 which says,

Love the LORD your God with all your heart