I have a question and need help. (Pastor related)

[Fisher]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone out there could give me a little info on becoming a pastor. I was going to become a police officer, and was diagnosed with a non-cureable nuerological disease. I wanted to help people as a policeman, but since the disease has routed that out of my life, I believe I have had a calling to the church. Maybe it wasn't meant to be that I became a police officer, but sometimes afflictions lead into other paths meant for you to follow. Also, to teach the word of God and be involved in the church would allow me to help many people. Now, I need to know what to do next.

I appreciate your help in advance.
May Christ be with you,
Fisher

[Tanya~]

Hi Fisher,

A lot of people go to Bible school and Seminary to get training to become a pastor. Are you active in your church now? Are you sure you have a calling to be a pastor, or does this just seem like a good option since your idea of being a police officer hasn't worked out?

[Fisher]

Hi Fisher,

A lot of people go to Bible school and Seminary to get training to become a pastor. Are you active in your church now? Are you sure you have a calling to be a pastor, or does this just seem like a good option since your idea of being a police officer hasn't worked out?

Hi Tanya,

No, this is nothing of a "second option" type of situation. I learned I couldnt be a police officer many years ago, and becoming a pastor wasn't even a thought then. This is a new situation and I believe a calling has occured. How would you find out which is a good credible institution to look into?
Peace,
Fisher

[Tanya~]

If you are a new believer, you need to get your feet wet so to speak first, participating in ministry at a church. Where do you go to church?

How do you know you have a calling to the ministry, did something happen to you?

[Elouise]

hallo fisher.

The best place to start is to chat with the pastors of the church you already attend and ask them to help you begin to test this and to pray for you. Different denominations and churches have different criteria for those they train it may be helpful to find these out.

Think about how this could be funded and if sponsorship or grants could be avialable. The course may not be too scary but the cost of theological books is.

Being a pastor can be pretty tough graft physically, mentally and emotionally. His sheep are on the whole not cute fluffy lambs, some of them bite! [I am not a Pastor I just work closely with Pastors and train with such]

Some churches have pastoral 'lay workers' who carry pastoral responsibilities but are not ordained pastors. Your church may have something like a pastoral care team you could become involved with.

There are good preachers who make lousy pastors and vice versa for the offices of the church are all different to help the body of Christ to grow in a healthy relationship with God. Your calling may be teaching and preaching rather than pastoral care and preaching.


Studying at a seminary or bible college on a higher level course is tough going. The hours involved can be mind numbing as they often combine lecture time and placements in churches. The students I train with who are moving into full time ministry often work from 8am until 10.00pm.
It may be a good idea to chat with your doctor to have a realistic idea of what you could achieve. Some courses allow students to study part time over a longer period of time so that might be an option to explore and most are willing to accomodate some disabilities .

[Fisher]

Dear Tanya and Elouise,

Thank you for all of your help. I think I may start out talking to a local Pastor here where I live and get thier feedback and insight. I am glad to hear about all of the venues you listed in respects to church participation for Pastors and the facilitating people with certain disabilities. To Tanya, no I am not new to Christ, I just didn't know where to post this one.
Also, yes....many things have happened that to me, clearly define a calling from Christ. Certain things are undeniable in the Spirit when it decends upon you.
Any other input is welcomed...
Thank you for your time and efforts, and I hope you are all well.
God Bless,
Fisher

[Tanya~]

Thanks for your reply Fisher, I'll put this thread in Maturing in Christ and you might get some additional helpful answers in there. My responses were based on the assumption that you are new in Christ and of course that makes a difference with respect to a question like this. :) I would still be interested to know what kinds of ministries you have participated in at church, or if you do have a church.

[stoomart]

Dear brother,

I am currently going through the same process of seeing what it would involve, as well as seeking the council of several mature christians who I look up to and respect. That's my suggestion to you, talk to your pastor and elders, as well as other respected godly people in your life outside of your church. If you go to a denominational church, you may notice the direction you get from them to be more in line with the denomination than with the bible, though my paster at the Baptist church I go to I feel encouraged me more biblically than what I expected. So seek to hear from God in the plurality of His faithful servants, if it is truly from God, the Holy Spirit will be in agreement and harmony.


May God bless your search to know Him more and to serve Him faithfully, stoo

[Sold Out]

I believe I have had a calling to the church.

Fisher

Why do you think you have a calling? (details)

[stoomart]

Why do you think you have a calling? (details)I would have to second this question. For me, my calling is what myself and others believe to be my gift of exhortation and teaching/preaching.

[fsuwolf]

If you are called by God to preach the Gospel, he will provide the way and open doors. I however do not agree with any new Christians becoming a Pastor, Apostle, Teacher etc... since they have not been proved in the fire, to many new Christians in their zeal get deceived and end up going down the wrong path. I have seen it. I believe Paul speaks about Christians entering the ministry should be mature in Christ. I had a pastor speak on prophesy for six weeks (very good teaching) He told everyone that some times you get a word or prophesy that will eventually come true but was given to give you direction, he said keep it in mind and put it on the back burner until God brings it to the front burner, it's all in God's timing.