Is God Calling Me?: Answering the Question Every Believer Asks

by Jeff Iorg

Is God calling me? It’s the foundational question that must be answered by anyone considering entry into ministry leadership and then revisited regularly over a lifetime. Writing to a student and young adult audience—although applicable to leaders of all ages—Iorg declares the purpose of his brief, yet powerful book:

“God is calling out a new generation of kingdom leaders who will accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation. My goal is to cut to the heart of the matter and give you tools to work through the call process.”

Endorsements

“The next best thing to sitting on the porch and discussing this pivotal life question with a wise mentor.”

—Ron Ellis, president, California Baptist University

“A must read for every seminary student, potential missionary, or pastor-to-be.”

—Geoff Hammond, president, North American Mission Board

“Every semester students sit down in my office to tell their story and seek a sense of clarity about God's calling for their life. Is God Calling Me? is a great tool for helping them find that clarity. The biblical background and the practical frameworks and stories that Jeff Iorg shares have already been a great help to me in giving those students handles for their questions.”

—Darrell Cook, campus minister, Virginia Tech

“Acknowledging all believers have a call of God on their life, Iorg effectively categorizes the more specific calls to Christian leadership or missionary service as well as God's call to a particular job or location. His review of the diverse ways God calls will dispel doubts and indecision while giving assurance and confidence.”

—Jerry Rankin, president, International Mission Board

"I've already been using the contents of  Is God Calling Me? in presentations to students here at our seminary. Jeff Iorg has certainly written a volume that speaks to a crucial need for all seminarians. The issue of call has always been paramount to seminarians, but I think its necessity is even more obvious in these early days of the 21st century."

—Byron D. Klaus, president, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary


 

Genres: Christian Living, Leadership, Christianity, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Christian, Theology

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Iorg teaches leadership, preaching, and church ministry courses at Gateway Seminary. He speaks frequently on these subjects in conferences and other venues, including college campuses and leadership seminars. His publications include six books: The Painful Side of Leadership, The Character of Leadership, Is God Calling Me?, The Case for Antioch, Seasons of a Leader’s Life, Unscripted and his latest, Ministry in the New Marriage Culture. Iorg has also written dozens of articles and curriculum materials.

Iorg is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University (B.A.), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Ann, has three adult children, and three grandchildren. His hobbies include reading fiction, cheering on the Oregon Ducks, and searching for the world’s best barbeque restaurant.

Reviews

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, to the point, and helpful. I find myself returning to this book over and over again for guidance and encouragement to persevere whenever I’m at one of life’s crossroads.

[Caleb Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, explaining what it means to be called, how that differs from other ways that we communicate with God, and help with discerning if you are called. Quick read, lots of good points and very methodical layout. Enjoyed hearing the personal stories of the writer.

[Carsten Kates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most influential books I have ever read. Helped me discern and clarify my call to ministry when I was in high school. Dropping this here so I can put it IN THE GOODREADS VAULT

[Peyton Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little booklet (only 36 pages!) is perfectly succinct. If there is any question of a calling in your life, I'd recommend it.

Iorg simply considers differents aspects of what a "call" even is, who has one, how to interpret it, and what it could mean for someone's life.

The main nugget for me was demystifying the call. God calls in many different ways, but sometimes you only hear of sudden experiences and deep heart burdens. My calling was more like, as Iorg called it, a "Reasoned Decision," which led me to a place where I can't see myself doing anything else. This book helped give me assurance that such a calling is valid for a life of some kind of ministry.

[Tyler McGruder · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a young Southern Baptist who has ever thought about working in ministry then you’ve probably been told to read this book and given a free copy. If that’s you then you need to read it. Calling is such a tricky theological subject but Iorg’s book provides the insight you need to find your calling and understand how calling is commonly viewed in the SBC world. It may not be the most exciting or life-giving read, but is a foundational must-read. Also Jeff Iorg is an incredible pastor, seminary president, Executive Committee president and worth your trust as a young buck in ministry.

[Jay Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was much benefit in reading this book and I really appreciated Jeff’s inclusion of three ways God could call; be it through others, a profound experience, or through reasoned logic. I also found his clarification between a call to general Christian service and to vocational or bivocational ministry to be well navigated; I did however find his definition of a call to be less about desire for the ministry and more about a profound impression that in his words, “is difficult to quantify.” Also, you must know you have this call, and it is important that you know you have this call. It does not suffice to just desire the ministry and possess a gifting for it, you must have a call that is independent of that and while you may not be able to define what it is you definitely know you have it. And then later on in the book he gives ways for you to know you have the call (which is helpful) but does not back down from his stance that you must be certain of the call you have received. So almost like now that you have the formula you should know whether or not you are being called. I don’t think that the mystical, profound impression does not exist, I do however think that desire and gifting is much more helpful and important to consider while reckoning what you are called to.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did Moses need this book? Did Paul? Jeff Iorg makes a startling assumption with "Is God Calling". He assumes that God doesn’t make Himself clear. Iorg assumes that we should take our inner thoughts, intuitions, and impressions as the voice of God, and sadly he never gets around to defending this assumption. Consequently his book is filled with false conclusions, some of which might even be dangerous, along with an occasional helpful insight. I would recommend we skip this book and instead read Decision Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen. I read that as a young Christian, and it spared me a lot of befuddlement.

[Lauren Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are considering ministry, this is the book for you! Short and to the point, Iorg covers the ways God calls his people into ministry, and questions to consider along the way. It was an easy read that provided a lot of information.

My only wish was that he had catered some of the material towards women looking to serve in ministry as well (in suitable, biblical positions).

Overall, this book is a great tool for those wondering if God is calling them into ministry!

[Woody Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking for books/resources I can pass along to people who are trying to find their place in Kingdom service. This is a simple yet good resource to share with anyone considering how God might be calling them to Ministry Leadership. I will definitely put this into the hands of some individuals seeking to find their place of ministry in and for the church.

[Miles Mullin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read about an important topic for Christians. The author does a good job in situating the special call to ministry leadership in the context of the call all Christians have to ministry and mission. I recommend it.

[Lauren Tomlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, easy read. This short read walks through how God calls every believer to something. I enjoyed reading it and analyzing the call God has placed on my life. I’d highly recommend any believer to read (whether or not you actually feel called to vocational ministry!)

[Alexis Shippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and simple and read! Would recommend this to any Christian, regardless of where he/she is in their faith journey. Overall, a very practical examination of Scripture that allows for contemplation in the season of life God is leading.

[Zachary Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful read to make you think about your calling. Not very long. Could have used more scripture references.

[Freddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read to understand God's calling

It is an easy to read book to understand about God's calling. It explains very clearly with Biblical examples. Good book to recommend.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight and helpful information.

[Riley Paige Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in under an hour. Thank you, Jesus, for the opportunity to serve you.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

“God calls you for the potential you have, not the perfection you demonstrate.”

[Lucas Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone who may feel called into ministry, AND for those already serving in ministry!

[Micah Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good, concise thoughts

[Hannah Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a concise and helpful read on the subject!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise. Straight forward. Sound. I would have liked to see more scriptural citation. But on the whole, great little book on calling

[Larson Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are discerning a call to vocational ministry or feel like God is calling you to something new, this book is perfect.

[Rylee Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ignoring the dating of this book, the definition of ministry especially at this point in my life is definitely what I needed to hear.

[Ian Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read.

If you’ve experienced or believe you might be called to ministry leadership this is a must read. This book provides insight and challenges your assumptions about calling and ministry leadership. I highly recommend.

[Roger Bryan Van Pelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you or someone you know is considering pursuing ministry, this would be a good book to read in preparation for it. I also think it would be an appropriate read for a Bible college or seminary student.

Jeff goes over several legitimate considerations a potential minister must consider. For me, it reaffirmed what I already knew. For others, his words might confront and expose fallacies or illegitimate motives for ministry.

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUST READ FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS

Few things can be more confusing than working through the idea of God's calling to ministry. Sadly, men and women that struggle with this call don't have many reliable places to turn. Sometimes family can give less than godly advice. Other ministers can even confuse the situation with advice that is rooted more in their subjective experience than in the Word of God.

Jeff Iorg offers sound biblical insight into the issue of "calling." This book should be required reading for anyone struggling with a sense of vocational call on their life. I believe that a careful reading of would help anyone who read it thoughtfully and prayerfully.

[Brave · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book I read by request for a small group. I didn't quite agree with everything in the book - or at least my interpretation of what was written - but all the scripture backed up what I believed to be true here. This is going to be a good foundation of knowledge for me in my bible study group, and I'm glad I read it.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great first step in discerning God’s call

As I read thru this book with my spouse, I felt this would be a great book for anyone who is trying to figure out what God is telling them to do. It gives great foundational guidance to help in discerning what God has in store for your life.

[Adrienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and finished in a few hours! Loved it.

p. 28 "All believers share a universal call to Christian service, some are called to ministry leadership, and those called to ministry leadership will be called to a specific assignment.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful little book that addresses how to know if you are called to ministry leadership written by our president at Golden Gate Baptist Theo. Seminary. Some very useful distinctions and directions in the book.