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Introduction
Calling a pastor is probably the single most important act a church body may perform, other than giving worship
and praise to our Savior, Jesus Christ. The importance of a pastor lies in the fact that he can greatly assist
the church through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. Paul reminded us that God gave various ministerial
gifts. He wrote, “ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”
(Ephesians 4:11-12). A devoted pastor/teacher will not only teach the Word of God through his preaching but will
also shepherd the flock of God through pastoral endeavors.
Becoming a pastor through accepting a pastoral call usually enlarges a minister’s potential through new opportunities
in serving our Lord, Jesus Christ. It must also be recognized that God’s ministers and their families will likely
experience considerable difficulty by him accepting a pastoral call. When a church calls a pastor, in many cases
they are asking him to move into their area and often into their pastorium. In such cases, he may find it necessary
to pull up his life by the roots and move his wife and children to an area unfamiliar to them. They will have to
start all over with schools (if children are involved) doctors, shopping and etc. Such a move can be traumatic to
a pastor’s family; therefore,their needs should be considered in the process of a pastoral call.
Since calling a pastor is a matter of utmost importance to both churches and ministers, it should never be taken
lightly. We should consider it a very serious matter which requires us to seek the wise counsel of God’s Word.
Remember, the Bible is the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian. Any church member who thinks calling
a pastor is like a popularity contest (you like him, you call him); has not fully considered the matter. To leave
God out of the call will likely result in disappointment. If we recognize our need of God in the matter of calling
a pastor,then let us consider some Biblical principles which will help guide us in this most difficult decision.
Objectives of this Seminar
The three Biblical principles which I will discuss are:(1) Divine Ownership, (2) The Privilege of Prayer and
(3) The Leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Divine Ownership
First, consider the idea of Divine ownership. The Bible is clear on this matter. Psalm 24:1 tells us, “The earth
is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Clearly, God owns everything.
Why is that true? Well, let us consider some of the many ways we can legally own property. (1) If we purchase an
item, we own it. (2) If we receive something as a gift, it belongs to us. (3) If animals are born as offspring
of our livestock, they belong to us. (4) If we inherit an item, it is legally ours. (5) If we make or build something,
it is ours. The Bible begins with the announcement that “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth”
(Genesis 1:1). Obviously, since God made the world and all of us in it, we all belong to Him.
That being true, we need to recognize that God owns the church. The church is not the building, it is the body of
redeemed children of God. Since we have been born again,we also belong to God by birth. We may refer to the church
as “our” church because we are part of the body, but in reality the people of the church belong to God. Jesus told
us that the Holy Spirit would take up residence in us. He said, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot
receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be
in you” (John 14:17). Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, our body is His temple and we belong to God. Paul
wrote “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,which are God's”
(1 Corinthians 6:20). Clearly, Paul viewed us as a purchased possession. Therefore, the church belongs to Christ
Who shed His blood and died for our sins. Jesus said to Peter “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Notice
that Jesus referred to the church as “my church.” Whether the church is viewed as all the redeemed elect or a
local body which is a fraction of the whole, the church belongs to Christ.
Based on such infallible truths we come to understand that since the church belongs to our Lord, He has the right
to send pastors of His choosing. Long ago Jeremiah spoke for God when he wrote “And I will give you pastors
according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). Has God ever
relinquished that right? Has He changed His mind in preference of a better system? If he has, I am unaware of it.
I believe God continues to give pastors according to His choosing and leads them to various congregations, where
they may feed the saints with the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. God is certainly able to lead both
churches and ministers in their decisions. Certainly He has the right to do so inasmuch as we all belong to Him.
Thus, the principle of Divine ownership is connected to pastoral calls.
The Privilege of Prayer
Second, there is the principle and privilege of prayer. Since God calls ministers and sends them to pastor
churches,the question emerges: “How will an individual congregation know which minister is the right one for
them?” When we think about the matter, it should become obvious that we need to ask God, through the privilege
of prayer. Jesus taught us to pray in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Again, He said,“Ask, and it shall be given
you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). Clearly,prayer should be a
vital part of the Christian life. Jesus prayed on various occasions and taught His followers to do the same.
He not only taught us to pray but to pray repeatedly. In Luke 18:1, He said, “And he spake a parable unto
them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Obviously, there are matters of such
importance that we are to continue in prayer, as we await God’s answer. Certainly, calling a pastor to lead
a congregation in the service of God, falls into this category.
It is an interesting fact that in the scriptures, this principle of prayer has been linked to fasting. Usually,
fasting is the act of refraining from food or drink, while the person continues in fervent prayer. We need to
understand that it was Jesus Who put prayer and fasting together. He said,“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but
by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). A concerned father had brought his son to the disciples of Jesus for
healing. They had failed but they did not understand why, so Jesus explained it with the above quotation.
Surely the need to fast has not vanished and disappeared. There have been times when congregations had such
a strong desire for a pastor, that they both prayed and fasted. Hopefully, God’s church will continue to
avail themselves of these wonderful spiritual privileges.
When we go to God in prayer, let us remember that God is never obligated to act based upon our desires. Prayer
is a gracious privilege God has granted us, though we are unworthy to come into His holy presence. When we
sincerely pray, we actually come into the presence of God, that we may seek needed blessings. This grace of
prayer is given to benefit both individuals and groups such as a church. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Through the shed blood of Christ and His imputed righteousness, we are given access to the throne of the
Divine Ruler of the universe. Whether it is for “our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) or for a pastor to feed the
flock of God; it is a gracious privilege to carry that request to God in prayer. When God is pleased to hear
and answer the prayer of a church in a pastoral call, churches and ministers are brought together for the
glory of God and the joy of those involved.
The Leadership of the Holy Spirit
Third, there is the principle of leadership by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the
Godhead. The Bible says, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Therefore, as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, it is in
reality God at work in us. All the saved are born again by the work of the Holy Spirit. As God lives in us
by the Holy Spirit, He leads and guides us from within. Paul said, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). If we follow His leading, we acknowledge His wisdom and
knowledge. Isaiah described God as: “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:10). God
not only knows the future and sees all our tomorrows but He also has power to bring to pass His purposes
and decrees. We say that God is omniscient which means that He knows everything. That cannot be said of any
man or group of people. We simply do not know what will happen tomorrow. My point is this; since God sees
and knows everything, obviously He is the One who knows what is truly best for us. That being true, why not
trust Him to direct us in a pastoral call? It is foolish for us to think we are better suited to finding
the right pastor. He is the only One Who knows which church and minister are right for each other.
As we search the Scriptures, we see that the early ministers were guided by God as they went out to preach.
God sent an angel to Philip, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the
south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert” (Acts 8:26). He was sent to
carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Ethiopian Eunuch. Later Peter fell into a trance on a rooftop. In
a vision he saw a sheet let down from heaven with all manner of unclean animals. After he came out of the
trance, God told him to go preach to Cornelius. The Bible says, “While Peter thought on the vision, the
Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them,
doubting nothing: for I have sent them” (Acts 10:19-20). Please notice that “the Spirit” sent Peter to
Cornelius and his family.
In Acts, chapter 16, we again see the Holy Spirit leading God’s ministers. Paul, Silas and Timothy were
forbidden by the Holy Spirit from preaching in Asia. Acts 16:7 says, “After they were come to Mysia, they
assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Then later by means of a vision, God sent
Paul into Macedonia (Acts 16:9). Obviously, God has led His ministers in the past and it is reasonable to
assume that he will continue to do so now and in the future. Some might say “But that was a long time ago.”
Is God less capable now than then? Absolutely not! Hopefully, the above passages will encourage all churches
and pastors to pray for God to lead us by His Holy Spirit. May God’s ministers and churches be led together
in labors that will strengthen our service to Christ, in the work of His kingdom.
Conclusion
These principles are very important for the church today. In Revelation 3:1 John wrote, “And unto the angel
of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;
I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” A group may call themselves a
church and meet in a building, holding a service; but in God’s sight it may be dead. A living church is one
where the Holy Spirit is actively involved. The Bible says, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the
Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). May we recognize that God owns His churches
and ministers, so that we will fervently pray to God for His leadership through the Holy Spirit. May we
seek and follow His leading (for both ministers and churches), that we may rejoice in His abundant grace
and give glory to God our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
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