The Preacher's Calling

I have begun a new reading, Anointed Expository Preaching by Stephen F. Olford. In the very first chapter Olford begins his book with a discourse about the preacher's calling. In fact at one point Olford writes, "Preachers often ask us to explain the call of God in terms of assurance or conviction. The answer is not an easy one. We are all different in talents, training and temperament; yet one thing is certain: if a man is indwelt and impelled by the living Son of God, there can be no doubt about the call!"

No doubt about it, the call of God is special; especially in relation to that of the preaching ministry. As the author writes, "the call to preach is the sovereign initiative of God in the life and experience of the one who is predestinated to fulfill that role." There is a difference between a desire to be a preacher and being predestined to preach. Everyone is called upon to preach the gospel but not everyone is called to a lifetime of a preaching ministry.

Think about this for a moment. The twelve disciples did not volunteer to follow Jesus. They submitted no application. They did not fill out any forms, or go through a committee screening process. They were called by Jesus to follow. You could say that they were compelled by the authority of our Lord.

Jeremiah was predestined to be a prophet of God. The word of God came to Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you...I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jer. 1:4-5)

The Apostle Paul believed he was predestined to be a preacher. Writing to Timothy, his protege, Paul said: [God] considered me faithful, appointing me to his service." (1 Tim. 1:12) Writing to the church at Galatia he sad, "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace." (Gal. 1:15)

There needs to be a return this very foundational thought today. The call of God is more than just a desire. It is a deep seated conviction placed within by the Spirit of God that compels an individual to do no other than preach Christ.