I didn’t grow up dreaming about being a pastor. I had other ambitions—an attorney, an artist, even an archaeologist in third grade. But everything changed during my junior year at Union University, on a Wednesday night at the Pastor’s Bible Study at West Jackson Baptist Church. I had a personal and unmistakable encounter with God that night—so clear and convicting that I placed my “yes” on the table right then and there.
At first, I wondered if it might be music ministry (despite the fact I couldn’t play an instrument or read music), or perhaps discipleship or education. But within a week, it became clear—God wasn’t just calling me to ministry; He was calling me to the pastorate. That call to preach has shaped my life, grounded my steps, and become one of the greatest joys I’ve ever known.
That’s why I say this: pastoring is not a profession—it’s a calling.
You don’t choose it like a career path. You don’t weigh the pros and cons like you’re picking between job offers. You surrender to it. The call to preach is a divine assignment, not a vocational option.
There are easier ways to make a living, and there are certainly safer ways to spend your life. But if God has called you to preach, there is no greater honor, no higher responsibility, and no deeper joy than opening the Word of God and declaring, “Here's what God says.”
Here are five things every preacher must remember about the call to preach:
1. The Call to Preach Is Divine, Not Optional.
You don’t volunteer for this. You don’t just wake up one day and decide you want to be a preacher. The call to preach comes from God alone. In Jeremiah 1:5, God told the prophet, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” And in Galatians 1:15–16, Paul speaks of being “separated from my mother’s womb and called... to reveal His Son in me.”
A divine calling means you’re not in this for yourself. You’re not preaching to impress people, build a platform, or climb a ladder. You’re preaching because God has placed His hand on you and said, “This is what I want you to do with your life.” When you know that, it doesn’t matter how hard it gets or how few people notice—you keep preaching because God told you to.
2. Your Calling Must Be Internal—But Also Confirmed Externally.
The inward call matters. You need to have that deep, undeniable sense in your soul that God has set you apart to preach the gospel. It’s the fire in your bones Jeremiah talked about (Jer. 20:9). It’s the “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” that Paul described (1 Cor. 9:16).
But that inward call should also be confirmed by others. God never calls in isolation. Your church family, your pastor, your mentors—they ought to see evidence of your gifting and affirm your calling. If you think you’re called to preach but no one wants to hear you preach, you may need to pray and wait. Calling is clarified over time and tested in community.
3. Your Call Won’t Protect You from Hardship—But Will Anchor You in It.
Preaching doesn’t come with a pain-free guarantee. In fact, if you’re truly called, you’re likely going to face more hardship, not less. Ask Jeremiah how well he was received. Ask Paul how many times he was beaten, imprisoned, or rejected.
But here’s the good news: when you’re certain of your calling, hardship doesn’t shake you—it anchors you. When the criticism comes, when the church votes don’t go your way, when the fruit seems small and the burden seems heavy, you won’t quit. Why? Because you know you were called to this. When your calling is clear, your footing is strong.
4. You Preach Because You Must—Not Because You Can.
There are plenty of people who can give a speech. There are people who can inspire a crowd, tell a great story, or teach a great lesson. But preaching isn’t about any of that. Preaching is proclaiming God’s Word with God’s authority under God’s direction.
When you’re called to preach, you’re not doing it because you like the spotlight or enjoy the applause. You’re doing it because you can’t sleep if you don’t. You’re compelled by the Spirit of God to deliver the truth of God. You may not be the best orator. You may not have the most clever outlines. But if God has called you, there will be power, because it’s His Word and His Spirit doing the work.
5. The Weight of Your Calling Should Humble You, Not Paralyze You.
Let’s be honest: the call to preach is heavy. You’re handling holy things. You’re speaking on behalf of the God of the universe. That should humble you.
But it shouldn’t paralyze you. God’s call comes with God’s empowerment. If He called you, He will equip you. Don’t let fear keep you from obedience. Don’t let insecurity drown out God’s voice. Get on your knees, get in the Word, and then stand up and speak with boldness, because you’re not speaking for yourself—you’re speaking for the King.
Bonus: Five Signs You Might Be Called to Preach:
* You feel a deep and growing burden to declare God’s Word.
* You are affirmed by other faithful believers who recognize your gifting.
* You cannot get away from the pull, no matter how hard you try.
* You love studying Scripture and helping others understand it.
* You feel more alive in the pulpit than anywhere else.
As Dr. Adrian Rogers once told us: “If God has called you to preach, don’t stoop to be a king.”
So preach. With all your heart. With all your strength. With all your life.
