Have You Been Called to Pastoral Ministry?

A godly leader must have a proper motivation for leadership. Biblical leadership is a role, as much as it is a quality of character and an endowment of gifts. Biblical leadership is faithful service of a faith-filled servant.  

God has given each of His people a calling. The first, and most important calling is to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  God calls all people through the means of the proclamation of the Good News about Jesus Christ (His sacrificial work of life and death for the sins of His people was accepted by God, so God raised Him from the dead and placed Jesus at the Father’s right hand in the heavenlies). This general calling is a universal one presented all to whom the Gospel is preached,  to receive and believe upon Jesus Christ and His work of salvation. This is an external calling (Matthew 22:14; Matthew 28:19; Luke 14:16-24; Acts 13:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 John 5:10). It is a sincere presentation of the Good News in Christ to sinners, exhorting them to turn from their sins and turn to God for the forgiveness of their sins in belief. This is a universal calling in that the Gospel is freely offered to any and all who would only believe. God does not consider one’s gender, nationality, race, or status in life when giving this call (Isaiah 55:1ff; Joel 2:32; Matt. 11:28; 22:14; John 3:16; Acts 18:9,10; 2 Cor. 5:20; Rev. 22:17)

Yet there is also a special calling from God. This calling is internal. The Holy Spirit brings the Gospel message to the very heart of the person, and that person is able to receive and believe the Good News of salvation. This is also called an effectual calling. It is effectual because the external call is made effective by the work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:48; Romans 1:6; 8:29,30; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:23-26; Hebrews 9:15; 2 Peter 1:10 Revelation 17:14).

What we mean is that a person has the inward call from God, so he is responsive to the gifting and the call of the Holy Spirit in his life (Acts 20:28), and hence he desires the office he has as a believer in Christ (a son of God, a co-heir, etc.).

Every believer has another calling in life. That would be to fulfill the God-given mandate to live life before the face of God by applying his gifts and talents God has given to him to all of life. This calling is a person’s vocation. The vocation is more than a job. It is living out and doing what God has placed within him to be and do in life. It might be as a plumber, or musician, a teacher or an artist. God is honored and glorified by this, as much as He is glorified and pleased by those whom He has called to particular kingdom office (deacon, elder or pastor).

The godly leader also has a more specific call for his role as leader. All Christian men are called to fulfill their leadership responsibilities in the various areas to which they were called (husband, father, son, etc.) This means the man is exercising his “kingship” as vicegerent to the Lord in all areas of his life.

Still others receive a more particular call to church office (1 Tim. 3:1). His motives are to be biblical and Christ-like (1 Peter 5:1ff).  Not only does one have the inward call of God, but also that call must be recognized as a qualified and legitimate call by the community of God’s people (Acts 6). He cannot merely assume that because he may be gifted and has that inner motive that he can assume the office in God’s church. . He must also be properly called of God through the means of God’s church (Jer. 23:32; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4). This is what is called ordination.

Questions to ask before taking a pastoral call

Some Questions to Consider
for
Taking a Call

The History about the Church
1. What is the history of the church? Relatively positive and a good indicator
of its biblical nature?

2. Any demographic material about the community and church which might
be helpful?
a. Is this a growing or declining city?
b. What is the potential rate of growth?
c. What is the economic health of the city? Of the congregation?
d. What can I learn about the ethnic mix of the population?
e. Housing affordability, availability, and neighborhood location
considerations?
f. Zoning laws which would affect home Bible studies, church growth, etc.?

3. How old is the church?

4. Are the founders still members of the church? Are they stuck in the past or
are they willing to move forward? Are they teachable?

5. What was this church’s pastoral record? (Note: a pastoral tenure of six or
more years is a positive indicator).
a. How many previous pastors have there been?
b. How long were the ministries of those pastors?
c. What was behind their leaving?
d. What are the perceived positives of those pastors (no names please)
e. What were the perceived negatives of those pastors? (no names please)
f. In what way(s) has the congregation treated the previous pastor(s)?

6. What are the attendance patterns of the church? Is it growing? Plateaued?
Declining?

7. How would they describe the average church member or attendee?

8. What is the history of the various programs, activities, etc.?


Doctrinal, covenantal, and other information
1. Have I read and agree with their doctrinal statement?

2. Have I read and do I agree with their constitution? Are there any areas with
which I disagree? Have I communicated them to the church?

3. What definition(s) do they give for a Biblical church?
a. Faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God?
b. Proper administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
c. Exercise church membership and discipline?
d. Prayer?
e. Fellowship?

4. What is the style of worship? Is it biblical and it is compatible with my
convictions?

5. Is there anything about the music philosophy and program with which I am
uncomfortable?

6. What are their views regarding:
a. Evangelism and its priority? Are they doing anything about it?
b. Teaching?
c. Preaching?
d. Spiritual gifts, to include those controversial gifts?
e. Abortion?
f. Divorce?
g. Involvement in social issues and needs?
h. Counseling?
i. Discipling?


The Church’s Vision and Mission
1. To whom is the church trying to minister?

2. What is the vision of the church?

3. What is the vision of the pastor? Is it the same as the church board’s?

4. What is the mission of the church (how they will accomplish their vision)?

5. What is the mission of the pastor?

6. What are this church’s strengths?

7. What does the church do really well?

8. How do other churches in the city describe this church’s ministry?

9. What reason do new members give for joining the church?

10. What are the perceived strengths of the church (by pastor, elders,
members, etc.)?

11. What are the perceived weaknesses of the church?

12. What is my overall impression(s) of this church?

13. How would I rate the following non-verbal aspects about the church:
a. warmth
b. friendliness
c. welcoming
d. outgoing
e. positiveness

14. What kinds of programs are offered? Why?

Church Government
1. What is the governmental structure of the church?

2. How will this affect their decisions? Especially decisions concerning me,
my family, ministry, etc.?

3. Who really rules the church? The elders? Pastor? Founder(s)? Trustees?
a. Is there an “old uncle Henry?” or “Aunt Myrtle?” in charge?
b. Is the church following a biblical model?

Church Finances
1. How are the resources allocated?

2. What is the financial health of the church, now and historically?

3. What is the pattern of giving?
a. By whom?
b. Annual fluctuations?
c. Annual per capita or per unit giving?

4. Are there fund raisers, pledge appeals, etc. throughout the year? Why?

5. What is the pattern of attendance?

6. What salary package is offered?

7. Are there any other financial benefits offered?

8. Is there any indebtedness?
a. How much?
b. What percentage of the annual budget is the debt?
c. Is this related to a building program?

9. Is there a building program now or expected in the near future?

10. How generous is the giving for missions and evangelism?

11. What is the biggest fiscal challenge presently?
If the church were to receive a sizable contribution
(such as $100,000.00), what would it do with it? How would the elders
want to use it? Deacons? The congregation?

Questions about my fit at this church.
1. What is it about me, my profile and resume which interests the church
(pastor, elders, members, others)?

2. What are the apparent, obvious needs of the church that my gifts might serve?

3. Does this church have a job description for my position or must I develop
one? (Note: sometimes ambiguities can present major problems down the
road; especially if the church has certain unspoken expectations I cannot fulfill.)

4. Can they describe an average work-week for my position?

5. Will I have job evaluations? When and by whom?

6. Will I be part of a team? If so, who all is involved on this team?

7. If I am answerable to a senior pastor:
a. At best analysis, will my personality fit his? How do I know?
b. Questions about his leadership style:
(1) What are his priorities?
(2) Does he have a clear vision?
(3) What are his strengths and abilities?
(4) What is his attitude about power and position? (hold on or give
away?)
(5) How does he spend his time? (a people person? Invest time in things
or people?)
(6) Does he have a proven track record? (Influences the influencers?
Builds a winning team?)
(7) What is his philosophy of growth about the church?
(8) What expectations does he have about his staff? Others? Me?
(9) How high of a commitment level does he expect? (Same as his?
Is he a perfectionist?)
(10) Does he have a balanced life?
(11) Is he a reactive or proactive leader?
(12) Does he delegate well? Or does he micromanage?
(13) How well does he impact the lives of others?
(14) Is he also teachable? Humble?
(15) Will he minister to my family and me also? How do I know?

7. What about my family?
a. What is their perspective or what do they sense about this?
b. How will this church minister to my family? Will they grow in it?
c. What expectations do the leaders and/or congregation members have
about my wife? Family?
d. What is my wife thinking? What are her concerns and questions?

8. What will my sphere of influence be?

9. Are they aware of my dreams, vision, gifts?

10. Are they willing to allow me to do what I do best according to my
calling, gifts, talents, personality, etc.? How would I know?

11. Is the compensation package adequate? Benefits?

12. Are there any provisions for enrichment opportunities?
a. Will they encourage my growth?
b. What continuing educational seminars, etc. must I attend?
Can I attend?
c. Involvement with mission trips? Other church related ventures?

13. What is the length of vacation? Sick leave?

14. How do they think I ought to “recharge my batteries”?

15. Can I assess the potential longevity at this church?
a. Will my vision-ministry take three, five, ten years to complete?
b. Am I able to help lead this church into a new chapter in its life now?
Five years from now?
c. Am I willing to invest one-fourth of my career here in this church and
community?
d. Is there something else I would rather be doing now? Five years from now?
e. Are there any roadblocks or challenges to the church’s ministry that could
stifle its future effectiveness for the Lord?