A Question For Christian Pastors (whethr currently or retired, your input is greatly appreciated)?

Question

How did you know you wanted to live out a life of faith and become a Pastor? I'm still rather young, but I feel this intense fire within me, which is my faith & I know this term is rarely used any more, but I feel as if it's my "calling". I'm just seeking advice from any Pastor willing to share their wisdom. Thank you,and God bless.

I am of Lutheran denomination, so yes, female Pastors are recognized. Please don't tell me that it's wrong for women to become Pastors. I certainly can respect & accept your beliefs if you feel this way, but please do not go off on a tangent about that, thank you. Peace.

Thank you for your kind words, baller.

Answer 1

Well, i guess it all began when i was about 13 or 14...........

I was going through church confirmation class. I was raised in a church that did not present the message of Jesus Christ unto salvation clearly, but there was something spiritually at work within me. At confirmation sunday after I had been baptized I stood down front with the other confirmands and answered the big question...."Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God?" Well part of me just answered yes because everybody else in line did. But i rmemeber looking up at the stain glass window in the balcony and seeing the picture of the empty tomb. And my answer was YES. But i still could not explain Jesus Christ to you or who he was. BUT, I began to foolow our pastor around like a little puppy dog. Everywhere he was there i was also. I started to get the name "junior".

But i gave up on my call in high school, mainly because i still did not have that personal relationship with Jesus to fall back on. Took alot of prodding and poking in school because i was very vocal about what I wanted to be someday. If i had truly known Jesus I wouldn't have given up back in school.

I was not until I was 20 and out of school. I asked Jesus to come into my life on the 5th of June, 1992. He forgave me for my sins and I began this new life in Christ. It wasn't a week later I was reading some scripture and i flipped my Bible open to Jeremiah Chap 1 v.4&5
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Well, i don't know about the "prophet to the nations" part, but he definately called me to serve Him in ministry. So all these feelings I thought I had long buried were coming to the surface. And, i responded just like Jeremiah did in the next few verses....
6 "Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
I started making excuses and stating the reasons why I couldn't do this.

But the Lord was pretty clear....
7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

He's the one who gave the calling. And He's the one who supplied me with the gifts and abilities. I sure didn't give myself these things.
Paul made this clear in Romans 11.29
"for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."

I went and sat down with the pastor of my church and talking to him was like talking with the Lord. "Well, you know we've talked about all this before. You're going to have to do some kind of schooling....." And on and on. I walked out of his office with a very heavy heart. All the way back to my apartment I walked with a great weight on my shoulders.

It wasn't until 6 months later when i gave into the subject of going to bible college that the weight get a lot easier to carry. My one problem was not wanting to go to College and have to do anything that way. I wasn't anywhere near a "valedictorian" in high school so i just didn't picture myself doing well in a college setting. But once i let myself go to what the Lord wanted, it all fell into place and my grades were fine.

I felt like you did early on in my ministry.
I still feel that fire to preach but reading your question revives all those old feelings again and i rememeber those earlier days of searching and seeking.

Jeremiah 20.9
9 But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

If you really feel like this is what the Lord wants for your life, then pursue it with all you have. God will be faithful to protect you and support you. There may be people in your own church who may not look favorably upon you. Some school friends and aquaintences may riddle you with stupid questions and comments. But, you do what the Lord wants of you. He will be faithful to the end.

I am now on my 3rd church. Started out in the Church of the Nazarene. When i met my wife, i went to the United Methodist Church. The Lord has been faithful all the way.

Hope all that helps some
feel free to e-mail me anytime

Jesus Loves You

Answer 2

What did Luther say about anyone wanting to call themselves after him rather than Christ?... Seek the TRUTH....

libsr4... The passages to Timothy in Ephesus (of which you quoted PART) and to the church at Corinth both seem to be speaking of specific situations and NOT for all Christians for all time. Paul told several groups of people in the Corinthian church to shut up. ALL of this was done to present a good image to those who visit the assembly. If you read the letter instead of "proof-text-ing" it, You would understand that it was to those people in that time and place and is not a general command for all Christians.

Now to your question... EVERY Christian is called AND GIFTED to SERVE the Lord's church IN SOME WAY. Paul makes it clear that everyone does not have the same gifts, but everyone has something that they can do to benefit the church.

1Co 12:12 There is one body. But it has many parts. Even though it has many parts, they make up one body. It is the same with Christ.
1Co 12:13 We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Greeks, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink.
1Co 12:14 The body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.
1Co 12:15 Suppose the foot says, “I am not a hand. So I don’t belong to the body.” It is still part of the body.
1Co 12:16 And suppose the ear says, “I am not an eye. So I don’t belong to the body.” It is still part of the body.
1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell?
1Co 12:18 God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be.
1Co 12:19 If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?
1Co 12:20 As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body.
1Co 12:21 The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
1Co 12:22 In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without.
1Co 12:23 The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honor. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care.
1Co 12:24 The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has joined together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any.
1Co 12:25 In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of each other.
1Co 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy.
1Co 12:27 You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.
1Co 12:28 First, God has appointed apostles in the church. Second, he has appointed prophets. Third, he has appointed teachers. Then he has appointed people who do miracles and those who have gifts of healing. He also appointed those able to help others, those able to direct things, and those who can speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before.
1Co 12:29 Is everyone an apostle? Is everyone a prophet? Is everyone a teacher? Do all work miracles?
1Co 12:30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages they had not known before? Do all explain what is said in those languages?
1Co 12:31 But above all, you should want the more important gifts.

Answer 3

I'm not a pastor, but I feel the same way about becoming a missionary. I went on my first mission trip, and ever since, this fire has been burning, and that's all I want to do. It truly is God's Calling for you. He wants you to help His people, and He needs more people in the world with the same fire we have. Rock on my Christian sister! God Bless!

Answer 4

My wife preached a sermon tonight. Women are respected as pastors. As a pastor myself, you just step out in faith and see if a door opens for you. If so, just keep walking through the doors. Do the best you can in school and keep a good reputation. Ask your pastor to give you something to do. Get as much experience as you can. Love the Lord with all your heart. You learn more of Him as you do more for Him.

Answer 5

You know that you are called to be a pastor when you can't NOT do it. Nothing else satisfies, nothing else quenches the thirst, nothing else will do. Make sure that you work it out with God first, and confirm His calling, because there will many times that you will question your calling, and there will be many times of doubt- it is imperative to know that it is God's will for you going into it so that you persevere, and do not give up. May God bless you!

Answer 6

I am no pastor, but you are not too likely to find one through this system...

I respect that you must believe in your heart. "The law of God is written on the heart."

I don't feel like believing in female pastors, but I am not to judge... Do what you must. I love you as a human, a creation of God. Do what you do, and God will judge. Be right in your heart, and I will see you heaven.

Whoever you are...? :)

Answer 7

Guess what? It's not what you or I believe, it's what the Bible clearly says. Women cannot be leaders of a church.

“I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent.”

I Timothy 2:11

However, this doesn't mean you cannot act out the fervent faith you have. Be the godly woman God wants you to be and heed His call. There are many numerous ministries that need godly women leaders.

Answer 8

Women Take the Battle to the Gate in the War on the Saints


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Saints, we are at war. Antichrist has been given power to wage war on the saints and to overcome them. Women have the most important role in this war. It will be the women who take the battle to the gate.

Until women will be women, your men will not be the great men of God who must rise up to battle in this war on the Saints.

What is more important, to stand in a pulpit and address 10,000 or to speak to God Almighty?


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Women have the highest calling in the church. They are called to be the silent great prayer warriors. There is one thing in scripture that God says he counts of great price and it is for women.

1 Pet 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

TAKING THE BATTLE TO THE GATE

Genesis 22:17 "That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies:

This is a time of SPIRITUAL WARFARE. It is just like when Israel had gone after other gods. The nation was religious. They all worshipped Baal, just like the Christians in the 501c3 churches of America. They are religious and sing pretty. BUT Baal, and not Jesus, by signed contract with the Beast, is lord of the 501c3 churches. So they teach gain is godliness, just be nice, we're not under law we are under grace. What Law? What Law are they talking about? Law of Sin and Death? Law of Moses? Or the Royal Law? They have signed a contact, which is Antichrist to the core. They RELIGIOUSLY follow the law of the contract with the Beast, that gives them their gain, that they presume is godliness. Otherwise the Beast will swallow them up as the Beast did at Indianapolis Baptist Temple.

In Judges 5:7-8, we find that it was a woman who took the battle to the gate when the warfare goes on. They were in idolatry and covetousness and it was an abomination to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God worked through the woman, Deborah, to bring the battle to the gates of the nation of Israel.

God works today through the women of the church who are spiritually ready to answer the call and to stand in the gap and call down the strongholds. The women meet the real spiritual enemy head on with their continual quiet intercessory prayer to God Almighty. These few women know the battle is the Lord's. They are asking Him to bind every spirit from manifesting in the church other than His Spirit of Truth and Holiness.

Judges 5:7-8 " The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then was war in the gates; was there a shield of a spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?"

As women in the congregation of God's people, YOU have an exalted ministry. In
I Peter 3:1-4 we read: "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" .

Do you see it? That which the Almighty calls being "of great price" is the work of the women within the church. Don't ever let it be sold short. Those of you whom the Lord will call into this ministry of intercession within the church have a work which the Father calls a work "of great price."

Your work "of great price" is this, TO TAKE THE WAR (THE BATTLE) INTO THE GATES. That is, into the place where the REAL business of God is conducted. Every major transaction took place within the gates. Every major battle was fought within the gates. It was within the gates that the elders of the cities were seated. It was within the gates that the people were taught the truths of God. Whenever the Apostles went to a new city, they went first to the gates of the city and then to the Synagogue. We must take the battle to the gates today.

Pastor Bill writes: "Women, never underestimate the value of your precious gift. Every major revival that has ever come upon the church came AFTER the women came in full understanding of THEIR GOD-GIVEN ROLE within the church and went boldly to the throne of God in soul-searching, demon-defying, transgression-forsaking, sin stomping, devil-rebuking and Word of God-honoring PRAYER. What you are being called upon to do is to come into every service FULLY aware that it is a time of spiritual battle. We need you to silently & inconspicuously STORM the throne of heaven with your prayers."

God answers prayer. When God hears a prayer His answer is always yes and Amen IN Christ Jesus. Why does God not hear our prayer? We are not IN Christ. We are not in the proper place that God has called us IN Christ. We are not praying and in obedience and holiness like Jesus. That is what it means to be IN Christ. The blood of Jesus combined with our repentance and obedience can put the power of God in prayer instantly.

Are women called to preach or teach?

1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1 Cor 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1 Pet 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

1 Pet 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

What else does Gloria Copeland, Marylyn Hickey, and Joyce Meyers want to rip out and mock regarding the word of God? I don't care how good and anointed some people may think their teaching is. I tell you, it is empowered by the spirit of Jezebel. I rebuke these Jezebel spirits in the Name of Yeshua.

What is more important - to be chairman of the committee, speak in the pulpit, have a large Christian TV ministry, or to talk to God Almighty?

When I know that my wife is praying, I know that all hell will tremble before this man of God. Without knowing my wife is praying, I would not take on half of the religious giants, that the sword of the Spirit, and the sword of a just defence, brings down.

The battle is the Lord's. God uses men who have women covering them with prayer. God does not move in His church except at the prayers of His people. When the women in the church are praying the word of God will go forth with the power of God to change lives. ALWAYS remember that it is a far greater thing to talk to God, the Father, than it ever is to talk to 10,000 people and preach the gospel.

I can always preach to the crowds, but my wife has a God-Ordained ministry which I can never touch. Women have a sensitivity that God has divinely placed within their nature. Women have a natural discernment, which if they will exercise faithfully in God-Ordained order, will become hypersensitive to the attacks of Satan. Women walking IN Christ, not in rebellion, IN God-Ordained order, will be able to sense when ANOTHER stronghold is being established. When you then sense that new stronghold, you can witness your Father BREAK IT DOWN; without anyone else ever knowing anything has happened.

Satan's counterfeit of this ministry is THE SIN OF GOSSIP. Notice what it says at Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six thing doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that diviseth wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." . THAT MEANS GOSSIP!!! And God hates it!

I DON'T EVEN WANT YOU TO TELL ME WHAT YOU SENSE IN YOUR SPIRITS. YOU JUST TELL GOD ABOUT IT, REBUKE IT IN THE NAME OF YESHUA, JESUS, AND COVER IT WITH THE BLOOD.

Then stand back and watch "God" things happen. It is better than any gossip could ever be. Stay in God-ordained order and pray. Stand and see the manifest power of God Almighty. Stay in God-ordained order and pray and you will begin to see the most amazing and awesome things begin to happen around you that you have EVER seen.

We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. As you sense evil spirits at work in people's lives, pray for them. You don't need anyone to be in agreement with you on what you are sensing. That is just "Christianized" gossip.

Satan is a defeated foe. Tell him about the blood. Something does not feel right? Blood of Yeshua! Blood of Yeshua! Blood of Yeshua! The Blood of Yeshua guarantees every demon is going to hell as surely as it guarantees that you are a child of God. The blood of Yeshua gives me a legal right to say that I am redeemed and am going to heaven. The blood of Yeshua gurarantees every demon is going to hell. Not churchey, but very true, and very effective, in battling demons. When in doubt, SHOUT - BLOOD of YESHUA!

Always remember Satan is an already-defeated foe. He knows it, Jesus knows it, and you know it. It is also essential that you rebuke always IN THE NAME OF YESHUA. When battling demons it is no more Mr. Niceguy. The demons know Jesus' real name better than most Christians. Yeshua! Alleluia Yeshua! Use the real Hebrew name of the Messiah, YESHUA (pronounced "Yes -SHU - ah"), like YES-YOU-ARE God. Alleluia Yeshua!

This may be a bit awkward for you at first, but with practice, it will become very natural. Satan understands this name even more fully than he understands "Jesus". He fears this name more. I have found that Satan responds more quickly to this name than to "Jesus".

It is the Blood of Yeshua that gives us access to that altar in the church of the First Born, where those who serve the tabernacle, cannot touch. Start and end your prayers thanking God for giving you bold access to be heard because of the Blood of Yeshua. We don't pray to Satan. We just rebuke Satan in the Name of Yeshua by the power of the Blood of Yeshua. We ask Our Father to bind Satan. We ask our Father to return any demonic attack to its source, at His discression, up to seven times. The first time you ever get your Father to return a demonic or satanic curse to its source, that is the last time that source will come at you. When the Father returns what they send at you seven times, very few are stupid enough to try it again.

Our prayers are not heard because of unconfessed sin, because we are out of God-ordained order, because we ask amiss to gratify our lusts. What you need to be praying for is that NO SPIRIT BE PERMITTED TO BE IN OPERATION IN THIS PLACE, EXCEPT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. Quietly ask Your FATHER to rebuke those spirits which you encounter in the name & the authority of Yeshua and command them to be gone from this place and replaced by the Holy Spirit.

It is vital that as you begin your prayers, you ask the Father to reveal, by His Holy Spirit, anything in your life that is in disagreement with Him and then as He does that, confess it and ask and receive total forgiveness. Whatever it is, put it under the blood of Jesus. THIS IS IMPERATIVE!

"THE PRAYER WARRIORS," if you have time, I recommend that you read the GJiGT on-line book, "War on the Saints." No one needs to know about your prayers but you and your Father in heaven. Just take it and go. DO NOT mention this ministry to others, other than to GIVE GOD GLORY FOR WHAT YOU WITNESS HIM DO IN RESPONSE TO THE PRAYER OF WOMEN WHO UNDERSTAND THE CALL TO TAKE THE BATTLE TO THE GATE. No one needs to know that you are a prayer warrior. This is between you and your heavenly Father. You do not ever need to bow your heads to do this praying. JESUS "LIFTED UP HIS EYES" TO THE FATHER. Do likewise! The only one who SHOULD know when you are praying is your Father in Heaven. You may either pray in the Spirit, or you may pray with understanding, or both. Just do it in a meek and QUIET spirit. Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.


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WOMEN, EVEN AT THE RISK OF COMMITING GENDER TREASON, LET ME TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE YOUR HUSBAND'S ONLY GOD ORDAINED SOURCE OF PRAISE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR HUSBAND CAN DO OR BECOME AS YOU LIFT HIM IN PRAYER AND MOTIVATE HIM WITH PRAISE AND THANKFULNESS. MAKE PHILLIPIANS 4:8 YOUR #1 MEMORY VERSE AND PUT IT INTO PRACTICE AND SEE THE MANIFEST POWER OF GOD.


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1 Pet 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Pet 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

1 Pet 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

1 Pet 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1 Pet 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

1 Pet 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1 Cor 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Cor 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

1 Tim 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1 Tim 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,