Shepherds and Cowboys

It has been about eleven years since I preached my first sermon. My call to the ministry took place in a moment and was unmistakable. My perception of ministry from that moment until this has changed drastically, though. I have often been overwhelmed by what was expected of me, or by a sense of competition, or by fear of failure. It was so overwhelming at first that I backed up. But in the last few years, I have thrown myself into my calling and pursued the will of God. It has been on my mind lately, and I would like to share a few thoughts about it and provide a bit of advice to those who may feel a call, though I am certainly not an expert. 

#1- It is the Lord alone who calls, and His call is unmistakable.   "...And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Hebrews 5:4    I once met a sincere young man who told me that he was certainly called to the ministry because three different preachers had told him so. I was silent and will always remain so. It disappoints me to hear such things. It is the Lord alone who calls one to the ministry. And the Lord's call, when it is genuine, is so strong and unmistakable that there the candidate needs no confirmation from outside sources. No one needs tell him that he is called. No one needs approve or promote or confirm. When the Lord calls, the Lord finishes what he starts. 

#2- There is no hurry.  "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8    One can be in God's will and not be in God's timing. Just because a person is called to the ministry does not mean that he is prepared to face the challenges that await him. That is why the scripture speaks against allowing a novice freedom in the ministry. There is a time of preparation, and in some ways that time never ends. My old pastor used to say, "Some were called, and some were sent. And some just packed up and went." 

     That's kinda funny, but it's true. Great pain and disappointment await the man who takes on the task without the anointing that comes with it. Even a person who is truly called to the ministry can cause great damage to a church, leaving a path of destruction a mile wide behind him if he is not submitted to the authorities, qualifications, scripture, and timing that the Lord has already set in place. If one is called, he must be patient and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Ghost. If one is called, it will be manifest to him and to everyone else in the church and in the world.

#3- The Lord will prepare. Although Bible school may be a wise choice for many, it is not necessary. Often, it does more to boost the pride than to boost the understanding. Education does not make a preacher anymore than a lab coat makes a doctor. It may be useful, but it is not necessary. The best education is a daily study of the Bible, a daily prayer life, and a healthy relationship with a seasoned pastor. For those who are truly called, the Lord has a way of bringing about situations, trials, relationships, and opportunities that will teach him everything he needs to know. 

#4- The Lord will open the doors. From the time that I came to the Lord, I was unimpressed by abrasive people. I find ambition particularly inappropriate in the ministry. A minister should be a polite and modest gentleman, like Christ was. My old pastor used to say, "We are shepherds, son, not cowboys. We lead people. We don't herd them." I had that in mind when I told the Lord that I would never beat down a door just because I wanted to go through it. I have been ambitious in certain areas of my life, but not upon other people. I have never invited myself to preach, to sing, or to speak. Not once. And I never will. If it is the Lord who has called, the Lord will open the doors. And He has. 

#5 The proof is in the pudding. That is what they say. It means that the truth always comes out in the end. It may take years. But it always comes out. Time has a way of telling who has a calling and who has a vision and who just had too much buttermilk and onions before they went to sleep last night. Liars are caught in their lies. Hypocrites are caught in their hypocrisies. People running on their own steam will run out of steam. People who have false motives will be disappointed. And at the same time, the truly called of God are consistently inspired. Every ambition will one day be weighed and shown for what it is. 

So, with unshakable confidence in my calling (both to the ministry and to Longview) I continue to pursue Christ as I encourage you to do also. Never again will I be dismayed by the opinions of others, fear of failure, lack of recognition, slow progress, or the tares that boast among the wheat. The Lord knows what he is doing. We are just willing vessels graciously allowed to take part in the harvest.