Called to Preach

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts..– 1 Thessalonians 2:4

This morning we look at Question 159 of the Larger Catechism, which asks, “How is the word of

God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?” It gives the answer, “They that are

called to labor in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and

out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the

Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying

themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God

and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and

salvation.” Last time we looked at this question we considered the way in which God commands

that His Word be preached. Today we examine the importance of divine calling.

The Catechism limits to whom their answer to this question applies. It does not simply say “The

preaching of God’s Word should be done as follows,” as if preaching were an activity in which all

Christians can or should engage; but it speaks of those “called to labor in the ministry of the

word…” The preaching of God’s Word is an activity that one can (legitimately) enter into only by

way of calling. Furthermore, this calling to preach is not a summons merely to an activity or

function but to a vocation: one’s life’s work. Preaching the Word is a life-calling as much as a

carpenter, teacher, physician, or laborer. Thus, we notice the Catechism refers to: “They that are

called to labor in the ministry of the word.” God calls some people in His church to the task of

authoritatively proclaiming His Word to the rest of the people in His church.

So how do we believe God calls a man to preach? The calling consists of two aspects: the internal

and the external call. While we believe both aspects of the call are from God the Holy Spirit, the

“internal” call is God putting in the heart of a Christian man the desire and conviction that he

should be proclaiming the Word of God to the people of God. Along with this desire God will give

and strengthen the necessary gifts to exercise the duties belonging to the ministry of the Word.

These include: wisdom and learning in God’s Word, understanding of right doctrine, and an

ability to communicate the correct interpretation of the Word of God in a reverent and sincere

manner. While all of these gifts are God-given, the man believing himself to be called to preach

should diligently seek to develop and strengthen them. Finally, God must also grant and the man

must exercise the necessary personal and character qualifications that are part of the internal

call.

If all of these are in place, a man is still not yet called to be a minister of the Word until he receives

the “external” call. Here we refer first to God the Holy Spirit causing the people of God to notice

and affirm that such a man has the gifts and character qualifications of a minister, and through

their God-given authority as a congregation, they by vote or agree to summon that man to

minister the gospel to them. The second part of the external call is the authoritative approval, by

way of the trials of doctrinal & character examinations, of a legitimate and appropriate court of

the church. For a minister, this court cannot be a local church session but must at least be a

regional body, for ministers are called to the life-work of minister of Word and sacrament not to a

specific congregation but to the whole church (people of God).

Surely if churches truly submitted to God’s standard for a preacher, as set forth in His Word,

rather than accepting the world’s standards as measured merely by abilities and desire, many

would not struggle with the issue of women’s ordination. Can a woman speak and preach as well

as a man with regard to presentation, organization, sound exposition and application of right

doctrine? Of course she can. Does this mean that a woman who is godly, theologically astute,

and a good speaker ought to preach the Word of God? No, because the ultimate issue is not

ability or gifts, but calling. Many men and women are godly, knowledgeable, and good speakers,

but Jesus only authorizes His ministers by calling them to preach internally, externally, and all in

accordance with His Word, which explicitly states that a preacher must be a man, who if he is

married, rules his own house well, etc. (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9). May God grant that the church

would submit to Christ and His Spirit when it seeks to call a minister, and may God raise up and

send many faithful ministers throughout the world today!