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DO I HAVE GOD'S CALL FOR MISSIONS?



“Do I have ‘God’s Call’ to missions?” is one of the most frequently asked questions relating to missions.  How does a person identify this call to missionary service? This is one of the most important questions to answer about any ministry.

In order to understand what the missionary call involves, we must consider what the Bible says about this term.

“The term call is used repeatedly in the Bible in several ways.  For example, our personal and eternal relationship with God is based upon the call He extends to us for salvation  (2 Thess. 2:13,14).  Those whom He calls to salvation are also called to discipleship.  These are not separate calls, but a single calling which results in a life-style characterized by personal greatcommissioncross.jpgholiness and yieldedness to Christ as the Lord of one’s life (1 Thess. 2:12; 4:7).  Those who respond to God’s call to salvation are to live in conformity to Christ.  There are no exceptions; this applies to every believer and is our primary call. 

The secondary call relates to the service we do for God.  As such, it may include any of an infinite variety of activities performed in an infinite variety of places, yet all done in His name and for His glory. . . .  While it is true that there is a sense in which everything we do as believers is holy (Col. 3:23-24), it is also true that within the wide scope of secondary calling, God calls some individuals to a ministry of the Word.  The ministry of the Word is one aspect of secondary calling and includes pastors and missionaries. . . . Receiving this call to the ministry of the Word does not automatically elevate an individual to a higher level of spirituality nor does it give him a reason for pride or boasting.” 

Having identified these two specific calls in the Bible, it is possible upon this basis to consider what is involved in the three entities involved in the missionary call:

·    God

·    Individual sensing the call

·    Local Church. 

This part of the missionary call will be developed in next month’s segment. [Read Here]

Adapted from The Call
by Dr. David Haag

Available on www.ebm.org/resources