The Calling to preach the Gospel

[Laudite]

Coconut, Aquila and Pricilla were a married couple who labored in their church, the bible speaks nothing of Pricilla's "leadership" but in respect to being married to Aquila. But the bible does speak of one woman who has leadership within a church in Revelation 2:20.

Revelation 2: 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, TO TEACH and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols

Anyway, you can take scripture for what it's worth or leave it, Paul wrote that he forbids women to teach, and if you want to find loopholes around the word of God then that's on you, God bless.

Ok, check me if I'm wrong here, but isn't the point that she is Jezebel- not that she teaches? Isn't that a bit like saying 'Lucifer misleads us- see, pretty men should not be allowed to preach!'

 

[humbleman]

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

I find this to be one of the most clouded and misunderstood topics in the church of Jesus Christ today. If you were to ask your average born again Christian, someone with a real conversion and relationship with God, what is God's ultimate plan for their lives. A good percentage will look at you with a deer in headlights look, and will probably make some obscure Christian cliche comment. The fact is today that God does call men to preach the gospel, that is to become a pastor or a missionary in order to build the kingdom of God.

Who is called to preach?

1 Timothy 2:11-12 proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.”

Let's make it clear today that God does not call women to become pastors. We live in the generation of Paula White and Oprah, where "girl power" has infiltrated even through the church. Churches all across America are accepting female preachers in an attempt to reach a broader spectrum of followers, this is not the bible, if a woman ever steps in front of the pulpit to preach know that this is not the will of God. Although God will call women to be the wife of a pastor, which is the highest position a woman can have in the church.

How do I know if I am called to preach?

This is one of the trickiest questions to answer. There is no definitive way a man can know he is called to preach. This is something that is sought after diligently in prayer, but there are different ways in which God calls men.

First is the "Paul's Call". This is where God meets a man in a supernatural way in order to let his calling be known. Moses had this calling, the bible says that God appeared to Moses through a burning bush. Gideon the bible says was out simply doing his job when an angel of God appeared to him to call him. Jeremiah was called while he was "only a child". Paul of Tarsus was visited by the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. These are just a few examples of this extreme type of calling, God does still call men today like this, although it is rare.

Second is what you would call "Joshua's call". Joshua the bible says was the servant of Moses who was chosen to lead the children of Israel into the promised land after Moses disobeyed a comand of God. Joshua can best be described as a disciple of Moses, you can read in Exodus 33 the account of Moses' prayer in the tent, where he went into the tent and all the nation saw the cloud outside of the tent where Moses prayed, and after he left the bible says that Joshua "did not depart from the tent". Joshua did nothing special except prove that he was a man of God willing to follow his leader, and God blessed this powerfully.


Thirdly, you know a man of God is called to preach becaue there is a supernatural gifting in him placed by God. This is where many men fall, they "feel" God has called them to preach when He hasn't, they go out into the harvest only to fail miserably and question God. Not all men are called to preach. If you read the book of Ezra, you will find the account of King Cyrus and the rebuilding of the temple of God. Some men went to build the temple, and some stayed behind to support the work of the project. This is how the kingdom of God works, some men will go out into the harvest to do the work of God while some are not called to go but to stay behind. In God’s kingdom, everyone does their part. If you read 1 Samuel 17, you will find that the reason David had the courage to fight Goliath was because God had already helped him to kill a lion and a bear. There are no superheroes in the Kingdom, God gifts men, God prepares men, and He decides who can go and who can’t go.


Prayer

No one can tell you that you are called to preach, not even your pastor. As mentioned this is something that has to be sought after diligently in prayer, if God has called you then other people will more than likely see gifting in you, but pray and seek the face of God.

The apostle Paul said himself in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” If there is a burning fire inside of your heart to seek the lost souls of men and to preach, then you need to pray and ask God if this is what He has for your life.

The Book says that,I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowlege and understanding.A man truly doesn't have any choice in the matter, rather than running from the call, which could be very ruff as it was for Jona.If a man truly has been called, he will know it.If he hasn't it want amount to anything,as far as doing the work of the Lord.Many men and women look as if they are really doing the will of God,judge not by appreance,but judge righteous judgement.When a man is truly hooked-up when he is being preached, the Lord puts the words on the ear of his soul, thats just the way it is. I know from experience.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

The Book says that,I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowlege and understanding.

I wonder if it wouldn't be good at this point in this thread to consider that there is a difference between being a pastor and being a preacher. Its my opinion that too many congregations expect pastors to wear both hats when, in fact, they've not been equipped to fill dual roles, let alone have the time required.

In the modern church, the term "preacher" infers one anointed to stand in front of groups of people and speak prepared messages that both teach and inspire the hearers, while the term "pastor" is defined as a shepherd; one who's role is to lead and organize a congregation

There are people who are gifted preachers, but who are not gifted as administrator/shepherds. There are also people who are gifted administrator/shepherds who have no business trying to preach. Years ago, I had a pastor who fit into this latter category. He did well as an administrator, but was the worst preacher I've ever seen. In seminary, he'd attended homilectics classes, but, seminary training could not make him something the Holy Spirit had not gifted him to be.

SLE