Am I Called to Worship Ministry?

All believers are called to serve in some way (Romans 12:3-16); but discerning a specific calling can be a tricky subject. God seems to be more or less concrete in His dealings with each of us as He sees fit. Some people describe an audible voice, some a spiritual experience, and some simply step in to fill a need and feel led to keep going. God’s aim is for you to trust and follow Him, however he chooses to lead.

One other quick note about calling before we dive in: be aware that it can easily become an idol. It’s all too easy to see calling as a lifelong contract that God must fulfill. The truth of the matter is God has given you certain gifts, but He can call you to different tasks and in different places throughout your life. It’s important to abide in Him (John 15:4) and let Him continue to lead you in each stage of your life— even in ways that might sometimes defy human wisdom.

That being said, here are some thoughts I’ve collected through scripture and conversations with people wiser than myself.

Some General Truths

Acts 13:2-3
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

We recently preached through this passage, and I’d like to make a couple of brief observations as it applies to calling.

1. Calling is Built on God, not Man
   Pursuing a call is fundamentally an act of worship. The primary motivating factor in our ministry calling must be God Himself. Nothing else can sustain us for any meaningful period of time. Do you have a big enough view of God that it compels you to serve Him? Or simply a passion for music and creativity and a desire to be on a stage? Even something as altruistic as a heart to help people cannot inevitably hold you up through the stresses of ministry. The calling in these verses is bookended by deep, meaningful engagement with God through worship, fasting, and prayer. If you’re unsure of your calling, simply pursue God Himself and serve as you have opportunity.
2. Calling is Both Internally and Externally Affirmed
   Many believers have an inkling in their head and heart of where they may be called (or where they hope that they’re called). This is a great first step. But it would be unwise to move forward without asking other believers. Find older, wiser saints to talk to. People who have known you for a while and seen you at your best and worst. Ask them to give you their honest, prayerful opinion of what they’ve observed about how God has made you and how He might be pleased to use you.

4 Aspects of Calling

I’ve collected and modified this list over the years, and I’ve found it helpful in conversations I’ve had in my own head and with other aspiring worship leaders. A calling, even a temporary one, usually needs to consist of four elements. I’ve arranged them in the acronym, PANT.

1. [P]assion

Do you have a holy passion to glorify God through this calling? Be careful. Passion itself is not necessarily holy. We can just as easily have a twisted passion for our own glory and success.

2. [A]bility

Do you have innate talent and/or the skills you need to serve in this way? Can you get there eventually? Maybe it’s just a matter of investing time and money in improving. If you’re not willing to invest in lessons, conferences, equipment, etc., you may not be called to do this. Calling is not a path devoid of effort. It’s a concentration of effort toward a specific goal.

3. [N]eed

Is there a need for you to do this? Creating a platform to serve where there isn’t a need can be a destructive thing. If there’s not a local need, ask God whether He’s leading you somewhere else, or to do something else here. (Maybe you want to lead in the main service, but He wants you in the Children’s Ministry?)

4. [T]iming

Is this where God wants you right now? Are you in a life stage where this it’s possible, or wise, to pursue this type of ministry? Sometimes everything seems to be in place, but we just need to wait or grow before we’re ready. Sometimes it’s as simple as the church you’re called to not having an opening on staff or in the worship ministry. This may not be a reason to give up, but it may be a way of God leading you to another time or place.

One last note: I’ve found it interesting that, for a limited period of time, you may be able to serve with only three of these pieces in place. You may have the Ability, Need, and the Timing seems fine, but your heart’s not in it. You might need to dig in and do it anyway. Or there are many churches who had a huge Need, and were blessed by someone with Passion, and Time, but not a lot of Ability. Prayerfully consider when God might want you to step out of your comfort zone, flex some new muscles, and humbly serve Him anyway.