Ministry Calling

Acts 13:13-15 

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

Cut from the Same Cloth

The idiom cut from the same clothmeans that two persons share a lot of similarities: created, reared, or fashioned in the same way.

Most people prefer to be with those who are cut from the same cloth. Fishermen love to be with fishermen; they enjoy talking about fishing. A fisherman may travel a distance, good or fair weather, cold or hot, much or no catch at all, the fisherman continues to go fishing. A fisherman finds fulfilment and serenity while fishing with or without a catch; non-fishermen experience otherwise.

Similarly, God-called missionaries find it pleasing to go out wherever God leads. Those who are called to mission find fulfilment while they are in the mission field.

The book of Acts narrated the missionary journeys of the disciples, especially Paul. The church in Antioch was praying and fasting and the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul who was also called Paul for mission endeavours.

John Mark has been actively involved in the ministry; he was helping in mission. John Mark displayed potential as a leader but unsure of his ministry calling.

1.  Unsure

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.

What’s the big deal with John leaving Paul and his companions in mission? Shouldn’t John Mark be given a fair share to decide where he wanted to be? Aren’t believers given free will as to which church they wish to be involved with?

What can we learn from John joining a mission team then decided to quit?

It’s a guessing game: Was it God’s will for John to be in mission or not?

John Mark joined the team because Barnabas and Paul brought him to Antioch. John for sure could be of help in the mission team somehow. When rough times came, when the demand of ministry arose, physical or emotional challenge progressed, John Mark returned to Jerusalem.

Whatever reason he had in mind, it might be that he missed his family. John Mark was still young at that time; or he might have missed his cozy bed or the luxury, the food, friends he had been accustomed with. There was so much travelling, sailing, unfamiliar places; John Mark might not have appreciated that kind of life; he might prefer staying in a particular place.

Some people like travelling; others are not. Mission work demands going places. To be in the mission field, being a missionary is a calling from the Lord.

Short-term Missions

Short-term Missions is a practical vehicle for those who want to confirm their calling in missions. Not all who join the Short-term mission are called to missions.

There was a very young, promising, and outgoing teenager who was invited to join a Summer Short-term mission; she took the challenge. She decided on her own to go without informing the church leaders. The church leaders learned about her endeavour when she was soliciting for mission support; she was prayed for; the church was happy for her.

Coming back from missions, this young lady, instead of growing more serious in her Christian life, she became an absentee at church services.

Mission work is no different from other church ministries; don’t take it for granted. The person who received no calling will certainly be discouraged or disillusioned when challenges and difficulties in mission or ministries become more intense. When tough times become tougher, God’s grace would sustain anyone who are very sure that they heard their calling because God’s calling assures His presence.

It’s not by human effort, intelligence, training that sustains one to keep on. God will surely provide for the needs of those who He has called to mission.

2.  Sure

15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

John Mark left Paul’s mission team but they keep on spreading the gospel. God sustained Barnabas and Paul to continue in their mission work because He set them apart for missions. They were certain of their calling; they heard when the Lord set them apart. They surely received power from the Holy Spirit who set them apart for missions. The Holy Spirit did not include John Mark but he joined them anyway.

When they went to the synagogue, the leaders of the synagogues requested Paul and Barnabas to share whatever God has given them to tell the people. The openness of the people to hear God’s word was just an affirmation that Paul and Barnabas were in the right ministry.

Paul was more of a missionary than a pastor because he loves travelling. Paul was not called to be a pastor; he did not remain in one church to shepherd it.

Travelling or staying, no guessing game in God’s calling; God’s call is very clear. If God calls us to the ministry He prepared for us, He assures us of His presence. The one who received God’s instruction knows it for certain without a doubt.

In Ephesians 4:11, Paul presented different ministry offices.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers…

The word apostle from Greek ἀπόστολος [apostolos] or one sent for a mission. Missionaries are apostles but they are not counted with the original apostles.

The Holy Spirit indwelt and empowered Paul and Barnabas when He called them. Without the filling of the Holy Spirit, a believer cannot hear God’s calling. When God calls a disciple to missions, He will give joy and peace for sustenance. No death threat, sickness, or any difficulty can frightened the person God called.

Rachel Saint

Rachel Saint was an evangelical Christian missionary from the United States commissioned by the Wycliffe Bible translator. She joined his brother Nate Saint and his four friends, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian who were working as missionaries near Huaorani territory in Ecuador.

Subsequently, the five missionaries were speared to death by the Huaorani.

After few years Rachel Saint and Elizabeth Elliot, the wife of Jim Elliot, Rachel Saint returned to evangelize the Huaorani tribe. Rachel Saint had compassion for the Huaorani tribe who killed her brother, Nate Saint and his four friends.

Rachel lived with the Huaorani tribe until she died at 80. Death or dangers, no difficulty can discourage when one is called to missions. There is peace and joy in the midst of struggles that sustain the disciple to keep on.

Similarly, whatever ministry God has called us to be involved with, there will still be challenges and persecutions but God’s indwelling Spirit enables us to persevere.

The nomination and election of church leaders are fast approaching. It is no secret that some church leaders are conceding to the challenges of leadership. Pray that members would elect leaders who are truly called in the BOT ministry.

Those who have not heard the Lord’s call will surely be easily discouraged. Pray that those church members whom God has chosen will heed God’s call. No contentment, no peace for the person God has called until he/she obeys God.

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