Logan grew up a few blocks from our church, but he had very little religious training. During his teen years he searched for the truth, considering atheism, Islam, and a host of other religions. Over the four years of religious exploration, God moved him to read the Bible, and he was converted, but without a church and still struggling with his sin, Logan experienced little or no growth. He received an invitation to our addictions ministry and attended. Here he found the help he needed to turn from sin and to grow in grace.

He joined the church in 2013 and began to serve. It was not long before he was introduced to Foundation Baptist College in Edmonton. He already had an interest in theological training because he wanted to serve the Lord. But his zeal was without knowledge, for it lacked a proper motive.

It should be God Who does the sending

About this time, Logan became interested in a young Christian girl who had just started attending our church. Both were serious about marriage, and the need to earn a living wage made Logan question whether a pastor’s salary would be enough. Much of Logan’s desire for pastoral ministry was influenced by pride, and he questioned whether he even wanted to live up to God’s qualifications for the pastoral office. When he realized the sin and immaturity in his heart, he was discouraged. His focus in 2014 shifted from preparation for ministry to an apprenticeship in plumbing! This career choice would guarantee him a living wage and remove his anxiety over meeting ministerial qualifications. But Logan had no joy in plumbing, so he eventually abandoned his apprenticeship and returned to Bible training at FBC.

These events caused Logan to become more aware of God’s call for him to enter the ministry. Ministerial service is not a decision an individual makes for himself. It is God who does the sending. It is only then that a man should preach, and people will hear, believe, and call on God for salvation (Romans 10:14-15).

Logan read in Jeremiah 23:21, “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied” ([ESV]). Logan was frightened by the prospect that he himself could run as if sent by the Lord when he was not.

There were five questions for which Logan needed answers before he would be confident that God was truly sending him to preach His Word:

Am I qualified?      

First, Logan needed to know that he was qualified. He was humbled by the demanding character requirements for pastors laid out in the New Testament. He realized that the character of the pastor was essential. The pastor must always strive to be an example to other believers. Logan especially appreciated how serious his pastors were about meeting these requirements. He will fail enough at the best of times, so he cannot afford to be careless about growing in Christlikeness.

Is God confirming His call?    

Second, Logan needed to know that God was confirming His call. Logan was concerned that he receive verification of God’s call from the congregation of his home church. He learned  firsthand that there is safety in an abundance of counselors (see Proverbs 11:14). In addition, his brothers and sisters at church noticed things he did not notice, and their input was helpful. Logan settled in his heart to leave it to the church to affirm his pastoral gifts, character, and divine call.  

Will my church help me to prepare?

Third, Logan needed to know that his local church would help him prepare to be a pastor. He realized that college training was most effective when it was coupled with local church training. He observed his pastors, shadowed them in counseling, joined leadership meetings, and more. He went through deacons-in-training and elders-in-training programs. This practical theology made his college and seminary training more beneficial.

Is my desire genuine?

Fourth, Logan needed to know that he had a genuine, selfless desire to serve both the saved and the lost in love. This is another essential part of God’s call to vocational ministry. “If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1,  ESV). The desire for the office must include a desire for the task. In the early days of his salvation, Logan realized that his desire to be a pastor was motivated by his selfish pride. But as he grew in grace, that desire became a selfless compulsion to serve God and people in preaching and teaching. Logan knows that he could never be joyful in the Lord’s will if he did anything other than preach God’s word.   

Is God’s leading clear?

Finally, Logan needed to experience God’s providential leading as he prepared for ministry. God directed Logan to a local church and college where he would receive the kind of training necessary for the office. God patiently brought Logan back whenever he strayed from the right path. Logan said this:

“The man who believes he is called to ministry would be wise to regard God’s hand. If God has called, He will provide. The opportunities to be discipled, confirmed, and begin serving in pastoral ministry ought not to be forced by one’s own understanding as if you were walking upstream. Not that all will run smoothly, but God will guide people and circumstances to bring about those opportunities, and none of it will be contrary to His Word.”