'Called to the Ministry?' | Doug Wilson

In this episode of Ask Doug, pastor Doug Wilson answers a question about ministry calling.

Ask Doug is presented by Canon Press.

[kiganfive]

C.H. Spurgeon was the first first place I came across the phrase, 'If you can do anything else, by all means do it.' And that is in his "Lectures to my Students". It was reading that line in his lectures that gave me the confidence to 'do something else.' Also, Dallimore's "Whitefield" is likely one of the most compelling encouragements to ministry. Great segment.

[laurarivera]

I would add as a first priority see if this man truly cares for God's sheep. I have seen more than one pastor/elder who can talk the talk with the best of them but whose walk is amazingly self-exalting. In the pastoral epistles most of the qualifying traits are about character.

[stephenveltkamp]

Thank you so much for explaining this. I am interested in the ministry, and I have felt moved by the Gospel, and I really just want to burst because of all I could say about it. It is truly exciting to me when someone asks me about something Biblical, or about our theology. I am about to talk with my elders in my church about this and ask where to go from here, if at all. Anyway, thank you for presenting this topic.

[petethompson]

A biography of Jonathan Edwards by George Marsden might've been what he was searching for around 6:30?

[aaronstately]

seems like the minister for appeasement more than a minister.

[HannahClapham]

This is all good advice but doesn’t touch the one big problem I see. The church in many ages, including this one, has been saddled with an abundance of poor leadership. And even when you have good leadership, generally speaking, they can be horrendous at choosing their successors.

I think there are times and places when young men may feel the call of reform, and they may well feel totally isolated like Elijah, and they may need to go out into the fray without anyone’s blessing.

Of course, this is normally a recipe for disaster. And one would need to discern between being an actual “Elijah” and just another thick-headed Lone Ranger.

[eltonron]

I know I'm called, as like a mystery, I'm constantly having to correct, ordained ministers. It's not like I'm trying to, it's just a matter of catching them in a lie. Just like the gospel. It is according to Christ, not about Christ.
Moses didn't give the Jews the ten commandments, God gave the Israelites, the commandments. The Jews, are but one of the 12 tribes, that recieved them. What's going on, when ordained ministers, can't even get the basics?
Sunday keepers, not that there's anything wrong with it?

[angloaust]

Preaching the gospel is a responsible position
Not all are qualified
In today's climate with bibles books
Tapes CDs it's not the same situation
So many schools of thought on doctrine it's better to read bible
Ones self and trust holy spirit to guide and teach
All the preacher can do is give his interpretation
After all unregenerated people can preach 2cor11v14.15!

[jdsheleg]

Nice opinion, but he just gave us that, his opinion. Zero quotes from the Bible.