The myth of inner calling

London Seminary have posted an article talking about the importance of having an inner calling to Christian ministry.  There are a few minor concerns I have with the argument.  First, LS state that the only qualification that is required prior to study with them is a “calling to Christian ministry.”  Now, unless they specifically mean that they will only get involved to partner with local churches once a man has been identified as an elder/pastor with them (and as far as I’m aware, they do not), then there is a risk with that. It sets the Theological College as arbitrator over whether or not such a calling exists.  I would suggest that all they are really qualified to assess is whether or not someone would be able to cope with their course. In fact, it is possible that someone might be appropriate for eldership but not able to cope with the college syllabus. Taking them on, simply because you recognise a calling may be deeply unhelpful.

Secondly, I really don’t like the Spurgeon quote about only going into Gospel ministry if you cannot be content doing something else. Now, it might be that this is meant to describe a restlessness, a passion for the Gospel but that passion could be fulfilled without a person being an elder/pastor.  The risk is that we end up with a bunch of people discontent, thinking that they should be pastors because they cannot do anything else.  Then, when they do find that they could be happy in another career, or find the work of the Gospel hard going, it is hard for them to stick at it.  My experience is that I was happily content with my career and could have continued in it, yet there was something more pressing to do.  It was important to remember this when we faced challenges. 

However, my primary concern is with the whole language of calling, particularly inner calling.  I would go so far as to suggest that there is no such thing, Biblically, as the inner calling, at all. In fact, generally speaking, we don’t tend to find that people in Scripture are “called” to a ministry.  The apostles are called as disciples to follow Jesus. They are not called to be apostles, they are called or named as apostles, in other words, they are commissioned.  Old Testament prophets are sent with a message, they are burdened with it.

In fact, there is the emphasis. The focus is less on position and more on being burdened with a message from God. In fact, in contemporary charismatic parlance, we would be less interested in whether or not a person is “called” to be a prophet, visionary, dreamer or tongue speaker.  Rather, we would simply look to see if they are prophesying or speaking in tongues.

Notice too, that whether we are talking about Old Testament prophets, New Testament Apostles or contemporary charismatic gifts, we are not really dealing with some inner subjective feeling that might leave a person unsure and needing confirmation or affirmation. Rather, everything is external.  God very clearly appears to Abraham and Isaiah. Jesus verbally calls out to the disciples.

In the New Testament, elders specifically are not waiting for an inner calling beyond that it is a good thing to desire to shepherd God’s people.  They are appointed overtly.  I think it is right to say that God is the one who commissions but he does so through Timothy and Titus and through the local church.

I wonder how much damage has been done by an emphasis on inner subjective stuff.  This includes people living with uncertainty about whether or not they have received the Holy Spirit (the objective answer is based on belief and confession of Christ), if they have committed the unforgivable sin and whether or not they are called to specific ministry.  In each case, there should be a clear, objective answer, obvious to all.

Not only that but for every pastor who gets frustrated and complains that their congregation are slow to respond to appeals to give money, serve in ministries, participate in evangelism, perhaps the congregation are not being apathetic or lethargic.  Maybe, just maybe they are just putting into practice what they have picked up from leaders about the importance of waiting for an inner calling.