According to recent Barna and Lifeway research projects, the church has a leadership crisis (1-2).[1] The median age of pastors is going up, the number of young pastors is in decline, and there’s a growing urgency to “motivate, mobilize, resource and deploy more younger pastors” (1-2). Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt wrote this book exhorting the church to “renew our commitment to passionately and persistently ‘call out the called!’” (2). The authors have two groups of readers in mind for this book. First, the book is designed as a resource for current leaders to help future vocational ministry leaders be faithful to their calling (14). Second, this book is for those discerning their calling. Pace and Pruitt designed this book to serve as a “toolbox” containing the basic knowledge and skills essential for ministry success (14).

The introduction to the book provides biblical evidence for the call to ministry (3-7). The authors then ask, “why don’t we teach about calling in the church?” Three answers are provided; there has been (1) a drift away from public invitations, (2) a mischaracterization of what it means to be in vocational ministry, and (3) an unintended undermining of ministry calling by the emphasis of every member on mission (7-10). Changing the culture of a church regarding ministry calling is accomplished by extending invitations, sharing testimonies, celebrating the church, providing opportunities, and training leaders (10-13).

In the first chapter, the authors ask, “how is a call to ministry confirmed?” Four answers are given based on Spurgeon’s writings; (1) God gives an overwhelming desire, (2) there exists a presence of ministry gifts and skills, (3) God blesses faithful service, and (4) others affirm the calling (17-18). The authors explain three misguided motives for entering into ministry, (1) desire for “appreciation,” (2) craving “admiration,” and (3) misplaced “ambition” (1 Pet 5:2-3) (23-24). Those sensing a call to ministry must rely on God to clarify their “direction” and to guide them into lifelong “duration” of faithful service (25-26). Once a call to ministry has been confirmed, one must guard against running (Jonah 1:1-3), resisting (Exod 4:13), or resenting God’s call (John 21:15-22) (27-30).

Chapters 2-8 center around essential aspects of faithful Christian ministry such as abiding in Christ, loving the Scriptures, prayer, evangelism, loving the church, relying on the Spirit, and having a servant attitude. Leaders are encouraged to abide in their identity in Christ, not their activity for Christ (Col 3:12) (33-39). It is essential to abide in the overflow of one’s relationship with Jesus rather than from an empty tank (39-42). According to Pace and Pruitt, ministry is planting “our lives by the water of the Word” to soak it in (knowing the Word), to saturate the heart (growing in the Word), and to squeeze it out to others in service to Christ (sowing the Word) (43-57). Chapter 4 addresses prayer in the life of the minister. Pace and Pruitt say, “Prayer is a lifestyle. It’s our oxygen for life and ministry, our lifeline in spiritual warfare, and our connector to the greatest power source there is – God himself…it’s an incredible opportunity and privilege getting to know him” (62). The next chapter includes three points of advice about living as intentional soul winners. These are, (1) cover your life with prayer about outreach, (2) value the conviction to be a soul winner over convenience, and (3) coach yourself and others in the gospel (71-81).

Loving the church (chapter 6) requires the fostering of “a deep and abiding love for the body, the bride, and the building of Christ!” (97). Serving the church as Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:12-27) should challenge leaders to use their gifts, equip people for service, and “promote the spiritual growth of God’s people into the fullness and likeness of Jesus” (97). Leaders must care for the church as the bride of Christ (Eph 5:31-32) with “sacrificial love and trustworthy leadership” (97). Those in Christian ministry welcome God’s presence in the church as his building (1 Pet 2:4-8) by devoting themselves to the mission of Jesus for his church (97).

In chapter seven, Pace and Pruitt explain that reliance on the Spirit is absolutely essential for the leader because, “He is our Companion” (John 14:7), “Counselor” (John 14:16), “Comforter” (John 14:27), and “Conqueror” (Rom 6:1-11) (99-112). In ministry, the Spirit walks with us (Deut 31:8), watches over us (Phil 4:19), and works through us (Eph 3:16, 21) (101-105). The Spirit is the guide and provides both direction and discernment (Gal 5:18; Eph 1:17) (105-108). The Spirit is the source of peace and gives persevering strength to those in ministry (John 14:27; Eph 3:16) (108-110). By the Spirit, the sinful flesh is defeated (Rom 8:1-14) and by the Spirit spiritual fruit is produced (Gal 5:16-24) (110-113). Those in ministry are called to serve the church by looking to Jesus as the model servant (Mark 10:45) (117). Servants have “hands” that work humbly, “feet” that follow Jesus faithfully, “hearts” of love for the church, “minds” set on Scripture, “shoulders” that are not easily offended, and “eyes” that look to the Lord for guidance (121-124).

Chapters 9-11 provide advice for Christian ministry. The authors cover topics such as keeping life balanced (chapter 9), persevering in ministry (chapter 10), and preparing for a lifetime of service (chapter 11). Chapter 9 contains exhortations to pray for one’s family, prioritize family by establishing healthy boundaries, and protect family through good communication and togetherness (129-140). Chapter 10 explains that those in ministry will persevere by living a focused life, by standing with gospel boldness, and by practicing what they preach (145-148). Pace and Pruitt say, “Instead of a slow fade away from Christ, holiness, and integrity, ministry leaders must constantly press in. Perseverance requires intimacy with Christ, integrity, and character” (148). Chapter 11 provides practical advice about ministry preparation such as getting good advice from family, preparing financially with wise stewardship, and deciding about education and ministry experience opportunities (153-167). Finally, the book concludes with steps for pastors to give an invitation to call out the called within a gospel invitation portion of a church service (169-174). Pace and Pruitt end the book with an exhortation, “We wholeheartedly believe the future workers for the harvest are currently in the harvest waiting to be called out, waiting to be empowered, and waiting to be equipped. So go and call out the called!” (174).

This book is well-organized with clear descriptions of the issues, containing helpful summaries at the end of the chapters. Pace and Pruitt cover a wide range of topics with biblical accuracy and practical clarity. The idea of calling out the called in a church service is an interesting concept. This book is written both to provide advice for those discerning a call to ministry and to help church leaders identify and train aspiring leaders. Because of the dual purpose of intended readership, the book seemed to switch back and forth from these audiences creating some confusion for whom the exhortations are intended. Yet, overall, this book contains much needed encouragement and practical advice for the church to identify, call, and equip future church leaders.

Favorite Quotes:

“We must pray for God to send out workers in all capacities to participate in harvest while we simultaneously train and mobilize those who are called to serve in vocational roles of ministry leadership.” (10)

“Celebrate the church… We should model a love for the church as the body and bride of Christ that is positive, affirming, and exhibits gratitude for the privilege of serving the Lord in a ministry capacity.” (12)

“Train leaders… We must be prepared to mentor those who discern a call to vocational ministry. There is no substitute for your personal involvement in their lives…particular skills, competencies, values, and character attributes are necessary for their success and are learned through experience. Whether we provide this training through a formal internship position or through an intentional mentoring relationship, we must be available to invest in these future leaders. As ministers, this is a weighty matter of personal stewardship because God entrusts us with their development as they discern, clarify, and pursue their calling.” (13)

Confirm your calling (pp 17-18). Four helpful ways to recognize a call based on Spurgeon’s Lectures to my Students (26-33).

• Overwhelming desire. Your calling will include what Spurgeon calls, “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” This internal passion to pursue ministry is a Spirit-led aspiration for God’s work that eliminates ever other vocational option as a possibility and compels us to surrender our lives to the Lord’s service.

Do you have an overwhelming desire for the work of the ministry?

• Ministry gifts. Spiritual giftedness and proficiency cannot be manufactured. Natural talent and a willingness to serve are no substitute. To those God calls to the specific task of vocational service, he will grant divine gifts that include particular skills required for their role, a ministry aptitude for spiritual leadership, and a special capacity for a lifetime of service.

Do you recognize God’s gifts in your life that he wants to use for his glory?

• God’s blessing. God call can also be recognize through the spiritual fruit he produces through our faithful service. Spurgeon acknowledges that there may be seasons of drought, but our usefulness to the Lord will ultimately be affirmed by the spiritual harvest that comes from our labor. Spiritual birth and spiritual growth should be evident in the lives of the people we serve, providing affirmation of God’s blessing and our calling.

Do you see God using you to make a spiritual difference in the lives of others?

• Affirmation of others. While our goal should never be to seek the approval or applause of others, God does use the affirmation of others to confirm our calling. As we faithfully serve in the ministry opportunities God provides, his people will recognize our calling by the character they observe, the gifts that are evident, and the ways he uses us to impact the lives of others.

Do other people observe and confirm your ministry potential?

Paul confirmed his calling through personal affirmation, private affirmation, and public affirmation. Gal 1:11-24 (19)

“Following his conversion (vv. 15-16), Paul confirmed his calling as an apostle through personal affirmation as he was compelled to preach, seek the Lord and exercise his gifts (vv. 16-17). He also confirmed it through private affirmation as he consulted with Peter as one who shared his calling as an apostle (vv. 18-20). Finally, he confirmed it through public affirmation as the church celebrated his testimony, his preaching, and his usefulness to the Lord (vv. 21-24).” (19)

“Confirming you call is not easy, but it is essential. It involves wrestling with your emotions, circumstances, gifts, and desires. But without working through these things now, doubt and uncertainty will always creep in and attempt to undermine your ministry. The process of wrestling through the call is crucial because either it will release you to pursue a different vocation or it will cement your calling for seasons in ministry when you need the firm foundation of certainty and confirmation to help you persevere.” (19)

“The sense of fulfillment and faithfulness we experience in ministry provides a level of satisfaction that exceeds the greatest level of earthy joy.” (22)

“While Scripture speaks of a vocational calling as a divine purpose for a lifetime (Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15), there are seasons in life when our ministry may take different forms. But these new roles do not require us to abandon our calling; they are, rather, opportunities for us to fulfill it in a different context…Therefore, we must adopt a lifetime mindset, be faithful in our ministry opportunities, and shift with the seasonal changes as the Lord leads.” (26)

“Embracing God’s call frees you to enjoy the deep satisfaction that only comes from fulfilling his will, and it allows you to trust him to be the loving Father who always works for your good and his glory. Knowing this, we can commit to our calling without conditions.” (30)

“Prayer is a lifestyle. It’s our oxygen for life and ministry, our lifeline in spiritual warfare, and our connector to the greatest power source there is – God himself…it’s an incredible opportunity and privilege getting to know him” (62).

“Instead of a slow fade away from Christ, holiness, and integrity, ministry leaders must constantly press in. Perseverance requires intimacy with Christ, integrity, and character” (148).

“No matter how long you’re in ministry, how many degrees you obtain, or how many people know your name, you never mature past the gospel; you mature in the gospel. To persevere in ministry, you need to preach the gospel to yourself daily.” (151)

“We wholeheartedly believe the future workers for the harvest are currently in the harvest waiting to be called out, waiting to be empowered, and waiting to be equipped. So go and call out the called!” (174).

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[1] Barna Group, “The Aging of America’s Pastors,” March 1, 2017, http://www.barna.com/research/aging-americas-pastors. Aaron Earls, “How Old Are America’s Pastors?,” March 9, 2017, lifewayresearch.com/2017/03/09/how-old-are-americas-pastors.