聖職と召命

Ministry and calling are inherently tied together and the following sections explain the nature of each.

Calling

A person’s calling is specifically how the individual will participate in serving during their time on building God Kingdom on earth. Everyone’s calling has something different and though people may have similar roles, that does not mean that one should copy the way another’s calling is carried out (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, Romans 12:4, Ephesians 4:1-3). When determining God’s calling on your life there are few things to consider:

  • Using wisdom: this entails considering past and present, and future. What direction God has been leading you in the past, what direction He is leading you now & what you believe He is telling you to do in the future (Proverbs 3:5-6, 14:8,15, James 1:5).

  • Examining Holy Spirit implanted desires, skills & giftings: 

    • Desires: this entails considering what longings or desires you have to serve & things you enjoy. Could be things like: wanting to help the poor, wanting to go to a foreign country to share the gospel, desire to build things that help people, enjoy working with kids & etc (Ezekiel 36:26, Psalm 37:4).

    • Skills: these can be things like: art, math/science, working with hands (Exodus 35:30–33, Acts 16:14)

    • Gifting: gifts of the Holy Spirit that you operate in (1 Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 4:11-13)

  • Put behind whatever does not aid God’s calling on your life and only focus on what is in line or beneficial to it. Everything else will just be a hindrance (Philippians 3:7-14, Proverbs 4:25-27). 

Ministry

Ministry is the act of caring for, supporting and building up someone or a group of people. Everyone has a God given ministry which is tied to their calling. Ultimately, there is only one ministry that gives glory to God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13, Philippians 3:3, Matthew 7:21-23). Ministry encompasses all areas of life: work, school, recreational activities and so on (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23). The summary of ministry is to love & be a servant of all people and to do this by partnering with the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2, 3:3, Matthew 20:26, 2 Corinthians 5:20).