Okay, here’s a sticky theological question from a reader:
Dan, I love to share my faith with others and I seem to have many natural talents, skills and abilities suited for being a minister. However, I believe that no matter how suited someone may be for ministry they must be called of God in order to be a Minister. Talent is nothing to God. He rather wants a fully surrendered and obedient individual. I suppose my question is how do I know whether I’m called to be a minister or just an entrepreneur with an idea I’m passionate about? – John
How does God “call” us except through giving us skills and abilities, personality traits and passions that draw us in a particular direction? To think that God will ask a “fully surrendered and obedient individual” to something where there is no alignment with natural talents opens the door to heartache and misery. 
Let’s just play out John’s thinking here. How would you like to attend a church where the pastor has no talent, skill or passion for that position – but he was just “willing and obedient?” How long would you attend that church?
Apply this thinking to any work. Would you want a doctor who had no skill but thought he was “called” to the medical profession? How about a teacher who had a passion for being an artist but was convinced through well-meaning family that she was “called” to be a teacher?
I’ve met with too many pastors, missionaries, and teachers who were obedient and willing, but whose natural skills did not line up with what their attempts to do something “Godly.” Many confused “calling” with the family tradition or the expectations of others. And their work was frustrating, spiritually depleting and ultimately led to a crisis that required change. I grew up as the son of a pastor who showed little joy in his work. My deepest fear was that God would call me as well to be a pastor or a missionary to Africa – something I absolutely dreaded to consider. But as I matured in my understanding, I realized God would not push me to be something where there was no fit with who He had created me to be.
The fact that you “have many natural talents, skills and abilities suited for being a minister” is a big part of recognizing that may in fact be God’s call for you. And the fact that you see yourself as an entrepreneur makes it even more of a fit. What God wants you to do is never going to be in an area where you don’t have many natural talents, skills and abilities.
When there is an alignment of our skills, abilities, talents, personality traits and passions we will recognize God’s “call.” We will experience work that is fulfilling, meaningful, purposeful – and profitable. Or, forget your talent, just do “what God wants you to do” and be miserably noble.
100% in agreement!!! I see the SAME attitude and thinking from parents, well meaning friends, pastors, etc. If you’re not TALENTED in the area, except for being able to make PB&J for a homeless person, then don’t go into that career. But I WILL say that we ALL have multiple talents. 😀
That’s crazy! In the Scriptures it says the Levites that were worship leaders were both ANOINTED, PLAYED SKILLFULLY, WERE FAITHFUL, AND HAD TO DO IT WITH PASSION FROM THE HEART! This applies to ALL callings. There are scriptures where the builders were SKILLED at hewing stones and cutting timber. In the book of Daniel it says, “As for these four children [speaking of ‘Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah’ ver. 11], God gave them knowledge AND SKILL in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (1:17). Yes it took them SKILL to understand all visions and dreams. The Apostle Paul speaking of himself said, “According to the GRACE [anointing, blessing] of God which is given unto me, as a WISE [SKILLFUL] master builder [ARCHITECT, CHIEF CONSTRUCTOR], I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” (1 Cor. 3:10). Being an apostle was not only a grace, gift, calling, and anointing, Paul was SKILLED at being an apostle. It takes skill POWERED BY GOD to to being a great pastor, teacher, prophet, evangelist, basketball player, writer, shepherd, doctor, artists, rapper, entrepreneur, leaders, etc. We have natural talent and skill that we are born with and then God gives us POWERFUL Gifts of the Spirit (heavenly anointed skill, if you will) to ADD unto and fuse more power into our natural talents and expertise and wisdom to do even greater works then Christ Himself!
Rick Warren says “Your ministry and business are an expression of not God, but of God working in you through your unique divine design and S.H.A.P.E., which are …
1. Spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-11, 28-31; Eph. 4:11-12),
2. Heart {passion, desire, burden, vision, mandate, cross, values, interests},
3. Ability {natural talent, skills, expertise},
4. Personality {temperaments: Driver, Expressive, Analytical, and Amiable},
5. Experiences {family, educational, occupational/vocational, spiritual, ministry, and painful}.
You will be most effective and fulfilled (by worshipping God) in ministry (by serving God) when you use your spiritual gifts and abilities in the area of your heart’s desire in a way that best expresses your personality and experiences. Fruitfulness is the result of a good ministry/business (calling) fit. – The Purpose Driven Life By Rick Warren
Yes, I definitely want to skip the “miserably noble” part. 🙂
I believe that a calling is something that comes deep within. It is seeing the need and sensing that God wants you to help with that need. It if is based on your emotions – then it will pass. But if it is a calling you won’t be able to let it go. Being called to ministry is vital because there are so many pressures you have to endure. A calling allows you to stick with it and not be sidetracked by the pressure. I realize this is a very subjective approach and people can say they are called to a ministry and feel God is calling them and still not really be called. But nonetheless the call is internal and needs careful consideration. When God called Moses, Moses had excuses. He saw the need but did not want to be the one to help with the need. He may have not had the skill for meeting this need – but he did he have the heart that God was looking for. It was not so important as to what Moses could do – it was more important to understand what God could do through Moses. The subject of calling to ministry is not simple and easy to answer. One other aspect of calling is based on Ephesians 4:11-16. Everyone has been called to be equipped for a ministry. When each part of the body of Christ functions properly – the body is able to be built up in love. This kind of call to ministry may be more related to skills, gifts, and abilities God has given us.
I think this is a subject many people wrestle with. I’m glad you jumped on it, and I loved your subject line on your email. Here’s my view: Sometimes we resist the Spirit’s prompting to move forward because we don’t see the big picture as God does–and we’re afraid. We may have innate talents and gifts we’ve not yet discovered, and our disobedience prevents us from blossoming, fulfilling our God-given purpose, and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with it. A calling can be intimidating and difficult while also fitting well with how God has wired us. Embracing such a challenge will turn the misery of indecisiveness to the joy of maturing in one’s faith.
There is a saying that’s been attributed to any number of people, but I heard it in an interview given by Red Skelton. It goes, “The talent, intelligence and skills that you have are God’s gifts to you – how you apply them during your life is your gift to God.” That pretty well sums up the idea that any profession can be a form of “ministry” when it’s done with excellence, integrity and serves the needs of the customers.
Jonah and Moses. Samson and Gideon. All called Two Obedient. Doing their thing or The Lord’s? All Gifted. Is The Glory for you or The Lord? That is the rub John. The Major thing that keeps one from being born again is PRIDE. Stay Humble-Keep looking to Jesus Christ and He will provide.:) Psalm 1.