Tag: call

Call

Posted in mini theologies for missionaries, missionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

WHO ABOVE WHERE AND WHAT

A crisis unexpectedly hit the region. Foreigners were being kicked out. Many didn’t know if they would ever get to return. One pioneer who had been serving in the field among the Fulani was devastated.

“But my calling is to the Fulani!” she argued, her voice tightened with a mixture of frustration and despair. “God called me here, for them! How can I abandon that?” The thought of starting over with a new language, new culture, and new relationships felt like an unbearable weight. Her zeal, once a roaring fire, had dwindled to a flickering ember. She felt disoriented and utterly unfulfilled.

If her calling was to a specific people in a specific place, and that was now changing, did that mean her calling was a mistake? Was God’s plan for her failing? She knew deep down that her identity wasn’t “missionary to the Fulani”; it was “one called by Christ to a holy life.”

This realization didn’t instantly make the new assignment easy, nor did it erase her heartache for the Fulani. But it shifted her foundation. Her calling wasn’t dependent on a place or a people group’s response, but on the unchanging purpose of making Christ known. The “where” and “what” might shift, but the “Who” remained constant, providing an unshakeable anchor in the shifting sands of the mission field.

BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON CALLING

God is the One who calls. Throughout biblical history and modern missions, calling was demonstrated as a personal encounter with God that led to specific assignments: Abraham was called to trust and go (Genesis 12:1-4); Paul was called to a new identity and to proclaim the good news to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-19, Romans 1:1) Everyone called is called by God’s sovereign initiative and grace, not from human merit, ambition, or even a deep desire for service alone. A call is an act of God setting an individual apart for His purposes.

Called to Jesus first and foremost. At its deepest level, biblical calling is fundamentally an invitation into a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ Himself—a call to salvation, relationship, and discipleship. It is primarily a call to Him, which then leads to a call from Him for His purposes. Your identity as a “called one” is rooted in your being in Christ, not in your location, title, or specific ministry task. (John 15:5; Philippians 3:7-8; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:2-3)

Called to be like Jesus. Every follower of Jesus is called to live a holy life and to walk worthy. Calling is most often in Scripture a word used to describe who we are to be rather than what we do. We are called to be more and more like Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Ephesians 4:1-3)

Called to spread Jesus’ name and kingdom. Every follower of Jesus is called to be an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). We represent Jesus to our neighbors and to the world. The ultimate aim of any calling is the glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom. Mission pioneers are instruments in God’s hand to make His name known, spread His salvation, and establish His will among all peoples. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

Jesus had a two-fold calling—to proclaim the gospel and to heal. For Him, there was never a tension or dichotomy between evangelism (preaching) and social ministry (healing). Jesus modeled, commanded, and empowered His disciples to engage in both preaching the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. (Luke 9:2, Matthew 10:7-8, Mark 6:7, 12-13)

Called where you are before being called elsewhere. Before God sends you to serve somewhere else, He calls you to serve faithfully where you are. The present context is often God’s training ground for future assignments. Consider Paul’s Macedonian call. He was called to do what he had always been doing, just somewhere else. Faithfulness in your local community prepares you for responsibilities beyond your comfort zone and boundaries. (Luke 16:10; 16:9-10; Romans 1:6)

Call is affirmed by the church. A call is affirmed when the church sends someone who is willing, capable, and tested to proclaim the gospel and establish the church in another culture. When that happens, a missionary can be confident in God’s direction not only because of his subjective desire but also because of the affirmation of God’s people in the church. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27)

God equips all who are called. A calling comes with God’s enablement. It is sustained not by human strength or skill alone, but by the Holy Spirit’s power, providing the necessary gifts, wisdom, and endurance. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 12:6-8)

A missionary’s journey often begins with a deep, personal conviction of God’s love and a desire to follow Christ wholeheartedly. This leads to a burden for the lost, which then, through prayer and discernment, may narrow to a specific people group or type of ministry. The “Who” (Jesus) remains the driving force that sustains them through the challenges of the “where” and “what.”

Your calling to the mission field is a sacred trust. By rooting it firmly in your relationship with Jesus Christ, embracing faithfulness in your current context, and understanding that your ultimate identity is found in Him, you will be equipped to endure, thrive, and effectively advance His Kingdom among the unreached.

What other Scriptures or biblical aspects come to mind when you consider “calling”? Take a few moments to look up 1-2 of these verses and journal what the Lord highlights for you.

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” — 2 Timothy 1:9

THE IMPORTANCE OF CALLING

Understanding your calling is not merely an abstract spiritual concept but the very bedrock of your endurance, identity, and effectiveness. In the face of immense challenges, cultural complexities, and spiritual opposition, a clear grasp of God’s call will anchor your soul and propel your ministry forward.

Supernatural Empowerment: Recognizing that the call is from God reminds you that He also provides the power to fulfill it, guarding against self-reliance. This means that your calling is not primarily defined by the country you serve in, the people group you target, or the specific type of ministry you do (e.g., church planting, medical work, community development). These are important expressions of your calling, but the core is your personal, intimate connection with the Caller Himself.

Provides Unwavering Purpose and Direction: A clear calling gives you a divine “why” for your work, extending far beyond personal ambition or fleeting enthusiasm. When you have been affirmed that God has called you, it provides an unshakeable sense of purpose that guides your decisions and keeps you focused on His agenda, not your own.

Identity Beyond Performance: In contexts where “results” are slow or hard to measure, your identity remains secure in who you are in Christ, not in what you accomplish. This guards against burnout, self-condemnation, and the temptation to “prove” your work.

Clarity in Confusion and Resilience in Hardship: When faced with loneliness, cultural shock, slow progress, or spiritual attacks, your calling to Jesus Himself provides an unshakeable anchor. You are not there because of a program, place, or people, but because of Him. When ministry directions are unclear or unexpected challenges arise, returning to the core call to Jesus helps you discern His will and remain faithful.

Facilitates Healthy Accountability and Partnership: A clearly understood calling, especially when affirmed by the local church, fosters healthy accountability relationships. It allows sending churches and fellow workers to understand your purpose and support you effectively, preventing “lone ranger” ministry.

Understanding your calling is the spiritual compass that keeps mission workers oriented towards God’s will, resilient through trials, secure in their identity, and empowered for effective, God-glorifying service in the harvest field.

PRAYER ACTION

Consider the Scriptures you cling to above. Consider calling. Write a prayer for the kind of person you want to be for the call.

BUILDING A PRACTICAL MINI-THEOLOGY

Take some time to prayerfully draft your practical mini-theology of “the call” by responding to these questions:

What is the call of God? How do you know if you’re called? How are we called to a Person above a place, people group, title, or ministry?

example: God is… We are the kind of people who… It is most like us/me to… We/I will… We/I hold to…

What was Jesus called to do? And how does this inform your call?

What does God call us to do/be? How does God prepare you for your call, where you’re at before sending you somewhere else?

Once you finish, share your responses with your mentor. Ask for feedback. Adjust your draft as needed.

Additional Resources for Going Deeper:
The Call, by Os Guinness
Preach and Heal, by Charles Fielding
Calling: A Biblical Perspective, by TheologyofWork.org
Understanding Your Calling, by J.T. Hutts
The Antioch Journey, 31-day Devotional
On Being a Missionary, by Thomas Hale
The Missionary Call: A Biblical and Practical Appraisal, by MissioNexus

understanding your calling FAQ

Posted in evangelism, followership, missions, questions, serving, worshipTagged , , , , , , , , 4 Comments

I have heard many Christians say, “My work is not fulfilling,” “I feel lost in the meaningless of the mundane,” “I feel like I’ve have failed God because I’m not doing enough for Him,” “I feel called to _____, but I feel like I’ve have missed my calling.” If this is you, you may be suffering from confusion and over-complication of the Christian calling. What does the Bible say about your calling? Let’s look at Jesus’ idea of calling as seen in His closest companion John.

WHAT IS A CALLING? [John 1:35-51]

In order for there to be a calling there must be a Caller. If there is no Caller, there are no callings—only work. When Jesus commands His disciples to follow Him, He is the Caller calling followers to a lifetime of worship and service. He is calling them to be a worshiper of One [primary call], and be a servant of all [secondary call] spreading the fame of Christ. Your calling is to follow Christ so decisively that everything you are, everything you do, and everywhere you go, and with everything you have worship God and serve His church spreading the name of Christ. Calling is the foundation of Christian existence itself. Calling in the Bible is a metaphor for living as a follower, worshiper, and server.

Whether you are a teacher with the TSC, a plumber in Pittsburgh, a mother on Monroe Street, a businessman, secretary, missionary, or pastor; your call is the same—worship God and serve the name of Christ through His church. Calling is not just for those in full-time Christian service, and everyone else is part-time or not even clocked in yet. The clergy-laity distinction was created by Roman Catholic Church, and a bad hangover for the modern evangelical church.

Martin Luther said, “God and the angels smile when a man changes a diaper.” William Tyndale wrote, “if your desire is to please God, pouring water, washing dishes, cobbling shoes, and preaching the Word is all one.” Bishop Thomas Becon wrote, “Our Saviour Christ was a carpenter. His apostles fishermen. St. Paul was a tentmaker.” Everyday ordinary work without a calling is simply work. Everyday ordinary work with a deep and devoted sense of calling is an extraordinary opportunity to live as a worshiper God and servant of the cause of Christ!

Christ gives your work meaning, not that you are working for Him [secondary], but that you are satisfied in Him [primary]. You are not called because God needs your help [Acts 17:24-25], or you need to payback God [2 Corinthians 9:8], or you need to do something for God [John 12:25-26]. You are not primarily called to something or to go somewhere, but are called to Someone.

WHO IS CALLED? [John 3:16-36; 5:19-35]

Every genuine follower of God has been called from Adam and Eve to Moses to David to John the Baptist to Paul the Apostle to Fred the follower living in a flat in Philadelphia. To Noah God said, “make yourself an ark of cypress wood…” (Genesis 6-7, and he had not even seen rain before). To Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12, and he had no clue where God was calling him to go). To Esther (via Mordecai), “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4). To Jonah, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1, and he was on a short-term mission).

The list could go on and on of people who were called by God. The New Testaments most frequent one-word description of a Christian is that he is called [2 Thessalonians 2:13-17]. These folks in the Bible are people just like you and me—ordinary people, wanting to trust the extraordinary God of the Universe, but not always under the most comfortable and clear circumstance. However, a common thread runs through each calling: proclaim the salvation of God through worship and service to the ends of the earth.

HOW DO I KNOW THIS IS MY CALLING? [John 13:1-17]

Jesus said so, and Jesus did so. Jesus’ calling was to worship God and service His name [i.e. wash feet]. He lived as the example towards that calling, even to the enemy who would eventually betray Him [i.e. Judas].

IS MY CALL SPECIFIC? [John 21:15-19]

The biblical call is specifically general: be a follower of Christ devoted to worship God and serve the name of Christ. It’s easy to swallow the fact that God has a macro-specific call, but you can quickly complicate and confuse the call by forcing a micro-specific call. God’s macro-specific and micro-specific plan for your life is to stay close to Jesus, worship Him [“if you love Me”], and serve Him [“if you love Me, feed His sheep”].

What about God’s calling Paul to go specifically to Macedonia [Acts 16:8]? Notice this “course correction” was given in the context of Paul’s active service in God’s mission. Then Holy Spirit tells the church at Antioch to set apart Barnabas and Saul for a church planting mission [Acts 13:1-3], but both men were already active in preaching and serving.

HOW DO I DECIPHER MY DECISIONS & WORK WITHIN MY CALLING? [Acts 13:1-5]

1) Seek wisdom in God’s Word. [Psalm 1:1-3; 119:105; Luke 24:32] You first learn how to hear from God by following His written word. If you can’t follow what He’s written in His word, chances are, you are ignoring the Holy Spirit.

2) Seek wisdom through prayer. Matthew 9:38 says, “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to throw out laborers into His harvest.” The point is to pray. “If anyone of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously without reproach, and it will be given him.” [James 1:5]

3) Seek wisdom in your church (4-fold ministry). Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors/teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” When you sit in a service like this, you’re hearing wisdom from God. He speaks through your pastors and spiritual leaders. Seeking wisdom and guidance from spiritual authorities is wise.

4) Live out loud the gospel. Most people find their world is a small zip code on this grand planet where a particular people group live who needs the gospel. Surrender all you are and have to the gospel of Christ [Luke 14:26-27, 33]. Don Alban Sr. [my ol’ missions prof],says, “Every follower of Christ is an immediate missionary for Christ.”

5) Use your spiritual gifts in conjunction with your church [1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; 1 Peter 4:11-12]. Work through the organism that God uses in this world today. Worship and service is funneled through Christ’s church. If you are worshiping and serving God through your church you can reproduce the same anywhere.

WHAT ABOUT THE HUTTS CALL TO GO TO UNREACHED OF NORTH AFRICA?

Sarah and I have believe we would be honoring Christ either by remaining on staff at BGBC just as much as we would spreading Christ’s fame among the unreached peoples of Arab North Africa [or any other nation]. We also believe we can be an extension of the ministry of our church in a land where there is no gospel influence. There are literally hundreds of unreached people groups around the world.

So why would we be burdened for a small region in North Africa among a small unnamed and unreached people group? Simply, God has called us to worship Him and spread His fame among those who are not. Our calling is about lifting Christ high, being Christ-like, and through His church serving the name of Christ to the ends of the earth.