Am I Called to Ministry?

Church Questions

by Brad Wheeler

4 Steps for Testing the “Call” to Ministry Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Created in partnership with 9Marks, Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions Christians have about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. In this addition to the series, pastor Brad Wheeler addresses the shortcomings of the word “calling” when talking with aspiring pastors about their desire to pursue ministry. Explaining why the idea of calling is both unbiblical and even unhelpful, Wheeler suggests a 4-part process as a better alternative―cultivate godly  ambition , display godly  attributes , develop an  aptitude  for teaching and discipleship, and receive the  affirmation  of a local church. Written from personal experience, this short book is designed to encourage men trying to discern their “next steps” to pastoral ministry. 

Genres: Christian, Ecclesiology, Church

64 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2021

Reviews

[Parker James Lipetska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book first addresses a couple misconceptions about the phrase “being called to ministry” from a biblical lenses. Being a pastor simply put is not for everyone, not what we often think it is, and is not a job to take lightly. The pastorate is often a job where your work is unappreciated, unnoticed, and undervalued. Ministry does not stop when the clock hits 5 but continues outside the office. If we jump into ministry without thinking it through there are serious consequences. Brad says that instead of focusing on our “calling” we should focus on the four A’s: Aspirations, Attributes, Aptitude, and Affirmation. When he fleshes these out we begin to see what a biblically healthy road to ministry looks like. As a man thinking through these questions, this book served as a gentle correction and encouragement as I seek God’s will for my life.

[Mark Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on this topic.

Great stuff on aspiring vs.calling, and the role of the church in raising up leaders!

Pray we’d faithfully do that at Covenant Hope Church.

[Jeremy Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by my pastor, this booklet winsomely argues that aspiration, attributes, aptitude, and affirmation are helpful barometers for “pastoral calling.” Conversely, he persuasively argues that the popular culture’s language of “calling to ministry” is mystical, misdirected, and to put it frankly, not in the Bible. Perhaps the most helpful insight for me was when Brad described aspiration as a gift. Aspiring to anything feels like a solo venture (aspiring to pastor, aspiring to marry, aspiring to get another cup of coffee), and yet, God’s providence dictates that all things, including our aspirations, are guided by his hands. Consequently, I can aspire to the office of elder all I want in my own effort, but unless God gifts with me a proper aspiration (measured by godly ambition, attributes, aptitude, and affirmation), I will eventually burnout. Thankful for my pastor, thankful for short, accessible resources like this, and thankful for God’s mercy in ministry.

[Alex Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps I’m biased since the author happens to be the lead pastor of my church, but this book is a very helpful light resource on how to think biblically about aspiring to ministry. It rejects the common language of being “called” in lieu of exhorting the reader to mature in godliness and devotion to God’s church.

I would recommend this to anyone who aspires to ministry or local church members who want a better understanding of assessing potential pastors.

“Any who aspire to ministry must aspire to servant-leadership. We’re to sacrifice ourselves in the service of others. Pastors aren’t kings, but servants of the King.”

[Matt Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very brief but good outline on how one should approach their pursuit of ministry. Mainly speaking towards those who want to go into pastoral ministry, but still can be applicable to other ministry positions.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful booklet.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me some new thoughts on the subject and helped to look at the subject from biblical perspective.

[Maddox Mosher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A informative booklet I would recommend to anyone who is interested in learning more about the “calling” of pastoral ministry. It only took about half a hour to read and goes over why being “called” isn’t a very useful term and the 4 A’s. This booklet isn’t revolutionary but is a great start for someone trying to navigate a desire for vocational ministry.

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep several of these around to give away. I can't tell you what a clear and useful resource this is! You will have people ask this question tons if you're in vocational ministry. A great discussion starter!

Favorite quotes:

“In short, the Bible never uses 'calling' to refer to what we do as a career; it uses 'calling' to refer to who we are as Christians. The apostles are the only exception to this rule. But they uniquely heard a voice no one else could hear (Acts 1:6–8; 22:9), and they uniquely saw visions no one else could see (Mark 9:7; Acts 9:1–9), because they had unique vocations nobody else could share (Eph. 2:20)" (17).

"The Holy Spirit set Paul and Barnabas apart for the work, but the local church equipped and endorsed their work. There’s a lesson here for us: personal aspiration must be met with a church’s public affirmation" (19).

“My point is that in a celebrity church culture, it can be easy to mistake ambition for aspiration. It’s easy to say we’re exalting Christ’s name, when in fact we won’t be happy until ours is exalted too. My father’s late pastor used to say, 'At every moment, in every relationship, you are either ministering to people or manipulating people.' Ministry can become its own form of manipulation where our congregants become the means of our self-exaltation" (23).


“In terms of cost/benefit analysis, humanly speaking, pastoring is the least rewarding profession one could possibly pursue. Pastoring is not a life of ease" (25).

"Given our love for efficiency and productivity, and given how we tend to approach life as consumers and treat institutions as providers, it’s easy for the church to take its cues from corporate America. So church covenants give way to vision statements. We focus less on what unites us with every other true church throughout history and more on what makes our brand distinct" (26-27).

“Church leaders aren’t just to be preaching the gospel, but they must also be living pictures of that gospel" (30).

[Kenneth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is okay but doesn’t quite answer the titular question. The first 44 pages address the qualifications for an elder. The final 8 pages prompt the reader to ask himself if he is already doing the work of an elder or expecting a pastorate to be handed to him on a silver platter. Regardless of how the reader answers, the reader is recommended to begin eldering now in the context of a healthy church.

Consider the longer book The Path to Being a Pastor by Bobbie Jamieson to help answer the question.

[Joshua Chatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise and faithful. Great resource for brothers who are prayerfully considering the idea of pursuing vocational ministry. He convincingly explained why the language of “calling” is unhelpful. He winsomely encourages brothers to consider the four A’s: pastoral Aspiration, godly Attributes, teaching Aptitude and church Affirmation.

I believe this is an excellent read.

[David Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a phenomenal book. If you aspire to ministry you should read this small booklet. Book focused on the four A’s ( aspiration, attributes, aptitude, and affirmation) to give a better and more clear explanation of the process as opposed to speaking of it as if you’re called or not. I also appreciated the practical steps laid out at the end of the booklet.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful little book on the importance of pastoral ministry and what it means to pursue such ministry. Wheeler asserts that the cultural idea of a “call” to pastoral ministry is extrabiblical, and gives four categories of evidence to confirm a man’s fitness for ministry (or lack thereof). Definitely a realistic understanding of what it looks like to desire and pursue the pastorate.

[Azriel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful guide to the idea of ministry. Dispels some misconceptions around the idea of "calling" and has some very realistic and practical advice for Christians who are thinking of entering ministry

[Zachary Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good little book. Expresses many of the thoughts and observations I've had regarding some of the broken ways we view ministry and "calling." Any young man even remotely considering ministry should be required to read this.

[Kate Kovatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing earth shatteringly new presented in this booklet, but it was a refreshing reminder of the implications of ministry and some of the “requirements” the Bible sets forth. A good 15-30ish minute read.

[Simon Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer on entering full time ministry. Clear and challenging

[Andy Treece · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars