In summer 2005 a survey conducted by Generation Next of 400 men either in or considering word ministry, showed significant confusion about what constituted a ‘call’. This is a practical and important question: how do I know that Christ has called me to ‘prayer and the ministry of the word’?
Rather than start with ourselves, let us begin with Jesus. Jesus has promised to build his church (Matthew 16.18).
He has died for her and been raised. As the ascended conqueror he distributes his victory gifts to his people (Ephesians 4.7ff), in order that his church shall be built up (1 Corinthians 12.7;14.5). Every gift is needed, and no Christian is to despise any gift (1 Corinthians 12.12-31). But ‘word’ gifts have a special place, because they equip the people of God for their ministries (Ephesians 4.11-15).
