why must pastoral calling be...

[RamboPreacher]

What is it that makes people think and believe that a calling to be a pastor must mean there is a primary emphasis on evangelistic and missional paradigm?

I have only ever read and heard traditional responses.

if I were to tell you that "Mary had a little lamb" - and... "the doctor was surprised" - that is a humorous thing to some. but the understanding is missed by many. sheep bare sheep. the shepherd doesn't bare sheep.

I am NOT saying that many, pastors (truly called, not just vocational, because they can) shouldn't be emphasizing missions, outreach and evangelism. that is clearly a Biblical directive - but I think we lose the understanding that it is for training/discipleing the believer and so the highways and biways can be used as the location the church evangelizes.

why must we feel that we need an (salvation) altar call for each service, especially if you know that everyone there is already "saved"?

just a couple q's i have been thinking about as God is leading me further in His ministry through me.

[Pastor Gary]

I have been criticized more for seldom giving a salvation altar call.

[Shellie]

Something I remember from Fred Fisher...."The ref closest to the plate makes the call."

I don't think we can pigeonhole any pastor's pulpit. God leads him to lead.

.....and I know a whole lot of people that are already saved that need saving.

[dolfan]

Something I remember from Fred Fisher...."The ref closest to the plate makes the call."

I don't think we can pigeonhole any pastor's pulpit. God leads him to lead.

.....and I know a whole lot of people that are already saved that need saving.

I like that. A lot.


Rambo, part of it may be a personal style issue. When I was preaching, I was discouraged not by the fact that altar calls were used, but by my own weakness in "closing the deal". I never did find a way to do that comfortably in my own skin. I've always been more of a "here's-the-deal-now-what-you-gonna-do" person. And, that's not an especially altar-call-ish style, IMHO.

Are you finding that the altar call is simply not your style of closing a sermon? I can tell you, too, that as a listener I am more comfortable sitting where I am and getting that challenge from the preacher without the "come forward" invitation. BUT, I am more likely to pause and consider it if there is at least that arranged sort of "sit there and pray about this and let it sink in and respond to God" moment than I am if it is "that's my last bullet point, now go forth and be fruitful" dismissal. So, there are lots of ways, maybe, to approach that.

[RamboPreacher]

Dolfan, kinda...
I think presentation style may be part of it. but I am comfortable having altar calls. so I don't think that is it totally.

I think that my challenge is that others seem to want to make me something I am not, and the calling I have is part and parcel of my style and presentation. the content of the messages may be introspective, but mostly didactic. I am of a paradigm that the salvation/evangelistic message in the church is not something I am going to "default" to; so the conclusionary altar call isn't a fit.

I have been told that (essentially) because of that non-direction of evangelism (read as pastoral-leading congregants-into-salvation), I am not called to be a pastor. I can't disagree with that paradigm more.

I think it has to do with what Shellie said, perhaps in humor:
".....and I know a whole lot of people that are already saved that need saving."

To me this is about discipleship (some may call it sanctification, but I will refrain from that direction as it has more legalistic connotation), not actually salvation. and I believe that is at least partially the direction Gos is leading me.

I keep telling my wife that I am old and not getting any younger and why would God want me to "start" now!? her reply in wisdom; many people aren't teachable unless taught by an elder. not necessarily someone older than them, but someone that is more mature. Besides, what about all the Biblical examples of old dudes doing stuff for God.

[Full Quiver]

One might say that the pastor that never makes a altar call towards salvation is the pastor that preaches to congregants that do not compel people to come to church.

Of course it's hard to make an altar call if you don't have an altar or a distinct place to pray.

[dolfan]

Rambo, one thing we both know --- you can't be who you're not.

I wrestled with that big time. The conflict played a role in me just quitting. That was compounding a struggle with sin, so I don't recommend it.

Be yourself. I would have an honest difference of opinion with anyone who defined pastoral calling by the strength of one's tendencies to nail an altar call or to even have one. Just my .02.

[justsam]

2 Tim 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

[Rob]

Something I remember from Fred Fisher...."The ref closest to the plate makes the call."

As a licensed High School Official that calls football, basketball and baseball, that is not a true statement. LOL

[CantBCoy]

Let me begin by stating that I am currently not serving in any pastoral or full time ministry position. However, I struggled in ministry while serving as a pastor. Mostly, I feel, due to the fact that I, like Rambo, rarely felt compelled to preach or lead the 'christian' congregation to do the 'easy' thing. I believe that there is a time and a place for pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets and apostles to all do their thing. I also believe that one person can operate in all of these callings as led by the Holy Spirit when those roles are needed.

While in pastoral ministry, I felt that the Holy Spirit was leading me to challenge the people to grow in their personal walk with God and to operate as evangelists in their community. Apparently, it isn't popular to ask church people to grow in their faith and step out to fulfill the commission that Christ left to the church. Mostly it felt as if they expected the man at the helm to do all of the work and make them feel warm and fuzzy during times of worship.

My 2 cents.

[Pastor Bill]

As a "not currently pastoring" pastor, I can agree with you CantBCoy.

I'm preaching a revival right now at a church that needs to begin to be a church, rather than sitting around waiting for God to flood them with new people, or crowds to magically flood their altars.

There is work out there to do, but it's the work of the CHURCH, not the work of the Pastors. we need to be a part of that work, but there is so much more that is needed.

On the other hand, my current home church really gets this, and they are growing, We have a wonderful pastor who focuses on the Word, and many workers in the church who are out doing the work, so we are seeing the work done, and it's exciting. Not that we are without problems, we have real issues with not enough parking, we're getting a little crowded at times during service making it hard to find a seat, etc.

By the way, I like these problems!