Do Not Enter the Ministry—If You Can Help It

Carefully consider your calling.

By M. E. LOEWEN, President of the West Pennsylvania Conference

A successful minister of long experience once surprisingly made the statement: "Do not enter the ministry if you can help it." His career had been fruitful, and he had by his own admission enjoyed his work. Immediately interest was awakened as to his meaning. After a short explanation it was evident that he was quite or­thodox in his thinking.

Moses attempted to assume a position of leader­ship in working out God's plan. But that led to murder and forty years' exile. Later, when God really called him, he did everything he could to refuse the call, but finally found himself shoulder­ing the burden of service for God.

Jonah schemed to keep from being the Lord's messenger, but he could not help himself. If he was to live, he would have to speak for God.

Many came to Christ desiring to be His work­ers, and many turned away because they would not make the sacrifice. Those who did become His disciples received such an impelling call that "they forsook all, and followed Him."

So it will be with the minister today. Unless he has a call from God, clear and convicting, ringing in his ears—a call that he cannot refuse, a call that compels him to leave all for the ministry—then by all means he should devote his talents to other fields of endeavor for God.

The work of the minister is the most important in this world of sin. To bring the healing balm of forgiveness to a sin-sick soul, to start the feet of the seeker after God in the pathway of truth, to deal with lost souls—all comprise the most deli­cate and careful work known to man. The high­est qualifications of character and physical vigor, coupled with the most complete surrender to the will of God, will make the faithful minister of life "throughly furnished unto all good works."

A minister filled with the vision of the high re­sponsibility of the work of God feels that inward call to dedicate his life to the wonderful work of winning souls to God. This call is so clear, so in­sistent, that with the apostle he cries, "For neces­sity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" 1 Cor. 9:16.

With such an imperative summons a man cannot help himself. He must respond willingly, or fight the Spirit of God. There is no question whether he should choose the ministry for his lifework. He knows that God has called him, and he will allow nothing to keep him from responding.

Several years ago the Government sent out questionnaires to determine aptitudes of civilians for national defense should a mobilization of all national resources be necessary. Provision was made to express three choices of labor. One min­ister gave as his first choice of work, "Preaching the gospel." The second choice was listed, "Preaching the gospel," and also the third. Here was a man who knew that the Lord had called him to preach. He was not purposing to be disobedi­ent to the heavenly vision.

To carry on ministerial work with this glorious vision of God's call tugging at the heart will obvi­-Please turn to page 45


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By M. E. LOEWEN, President of the West Pennsylvania Conference

November 1945

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