Should I go or should I stay?
Time after time as I ask students how they heard the call to ministry and what made them decide to answer the call, they tell stories such as Samuel’s call in the Old Testament. He kept hearing a voice but did not know what it was. Finally it took Eli to tell him, “It is God calling you”. Samuel was then able to say, “Speak Lord for your servant hears”.
I can name people and experiences in my home church that together were responsible for my decision to go into ministry. Eli helped and encouraged Samuel to consider God’s purpose and call for his life. Every church needs characters like Eli who will help people focus on their call; perhaps a friend, pastor, youth or home group leader.
At home we have programmed our ‘phone to rings seven times before the answering machine cuts in. We do that so that we can be sure to catch the call. If you ever call our home, picture me hunting for the handset, counting the rings and hoping that I can find it before the message kicks in.
How can you tell when God is calling you?
Well…
· Have you ever thought there must be something more to life? (That’s one ring.)
· Have you ever felt, even just a little, that you had a special purpose in life? (That’s the second ring).
· Do you realise from time to time that things are not as they were meant to be? (Ring three.)
· Have you ever felt the need to pray deeply? (Ring four.)
· Have you ever wondered, even just once, “what would Jesus have me do?” (That’s the fifth ring.)
· Pick up the ‘phone!
· Do you feel a compassion for people and want to change things? Answer the call!
Of course God doesn’t use the ‘phone.
As a passionate church builder and now College Principal, I am familiar with the imperative to recruit as many people as possible, as fast as possible, in order to impact the world as much as possible.
How do we produce well-trained people in order to do the job effectively? How do we manage the tension between the quest for numbers and the need for quality? What do you tell the 23 year old that comes to college for one year but who really needs to stay for two? How do you advise the potential missionary worker who wants to save time by bypassing training and learn on the job?
Regents Theological College has cut loose from the rigid one-fits-all pattern and is moving towards a far more flexible approach. Certainly there is a level of uniformity in any system, since no training can be entirely tailor-made for every individual. Your personal training journey works dynamically within the role of the learning community. While training for Christian service involves time alone with God, personal investment, reading and study, it also requires interaction in a social context.
Elim has over 500 “training centres” throughout the UK. Let me encourage you to embrace the opportunities afforded you at your local church for your personal growth and development. Training is about real people - imperfect but with big dreams - motivated by a love for Jesus and the desire to serve in today’s world.
If you feel God may be calling you, why not consider coming to a Just Looking event at the college? These are brilliant opportunities for people to experience college life. For three days you will be our guest free of charge and we will help you explore God’s will and purpose for your life.
We would love to meet you. Who knows, you may discover God has been calling you all along!
Nigel Tween
Principal
Regents Theological College
Visit www.regents-tc.ac.uk
Email: info@regents-tc.ac.uk
Or call Rebekah: 0845 302 6758 |
CAMPUS
