Dan Reiland, Executive Director of Leadership Expansion at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia, recently wrote a blog entitled 7 Questions to Help Follow Your Calling.   Serving in the 4th quarter of my call to vocational ministry as a lay person (not a seminarian, academic, nor clergy), I found myself reflecting on each question for effective ministry over the long haul.

I have the amazing opportunity to practice the Timothy mandate, investing in the next generation of leaders serving alongside ministry interns and younger church staff in the early stages of their callings. Beyond skills and systems, the focus is on building character that endures, so they, too, reach their final quarter still committed to saying “YES” to God’s calling.

Reiland’s first question asks, “What is God saying to you?” This is not a forever or even a later thing, but a now thing. It’s been my experience that God uses everything. King David is the perfect example of God placing him in situations and relationships all to prepare him for the next step, ultimately a kingdom-hand-off. Don’t wait for the invite, Say YES to humbly and joyfully serve where you are needed now and watch the doors open.

Another question is, “Are you prepared to pay the price?” Church work, like all work done well, is trench work. It’ll be filled with easy and not-so-easy situationships. Be prepared for seasons of discouragement AND joy, tears AND cheers, by discipling yourself in daily, weekly, monthly, annual holy habits to keep you close to the Christ of the Bible. Always be thankful.

“What is your gifting and passion?” Each of us reflects aspects of God’s image and has unique spiritual gifts for building up the church. Embrace challenges; mistakes and scars become stories of God’s faithfulness and mercy.

“Are you willing to follow first, make mistakes, learn, and grow?” A good follower is willing to take direction, flee from defensiveness, have a teachable spirit, and be willing to continue to learn and grow.

“Do you have the resilience to play the long game?” The iron-sharpening-pruning seasons will come ‘cuz God isn’t finished with me yet. So to keep my eyes on the prize of pleasing my King, I’ll continue to practice scriptural holiness through acts of piety (holy habits), take care of my body, mind, and soul, and invest in meaningful relationships. I still have so much to learn until I see Him in Glory.

“What keeps you connected to your values and convictions?” Calling and ability open doors, but character keeps us there. Like Joseph and Daniel, purposing in our hearts and minds how to handle sticky situations from a biblical perspective will provide holy boundaries to protect our witness.

Finally, “Is your vision aligned with Heaven?” Reiland emphasizes that our lives should reflect the priorities of the first part of the Lord’s Prayer, aligning our will with God’s: that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18), law-abiding (1 Peter 2:13-15), not conformed to the world (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7), serving with pure motives (Ephesians 6:5-8), and living wisely (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Serving in the local church has been my lifelong calling. It started simply, bringing a casserole to a new mom. I haven’t always done it perfectly, but I’m learning and committed to doing better. God has been too good to me for anything less.

⁴ “One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” Psalm 145:4-7