Creating a Culture of Call

The overwhelming reason many have not responded to their call to ministry is simply because they haven't been provided an opportunity to take that first step.
 

Here are 5 ideas for creating a Culture of Call in your congregation

1 | Celebrate a “Calling Sunday”

  • At least once a year, build a worship service around the call to licensed and ordained ministry.
  • Focus your attention on Christian vocation, and how, by virtue of our baptism, God calls each person into service.
  • Pastors, share your own call story within the worship service and/or invite others serving in full-time Christian vocations to do the same.
  • Invite those who might be discerning a call to talk with you about how God is speaking to them.
  • Invite people to consider if God might be calling them to live out their baptism through licensed or ordained ministry.

2 | Focus on Calling in Children’s Ministry

  • Spend at least one session in your Children’s Ministry (Sunday School or another program) focusing on the theme of calling, including full-time ministry as one possible calling.

3 | Focus on Calling in Youth Ministry

  • Spend at least one session in your Youth Ministry (Sunday School, UMYF, or another program) focusing on the theme of calling, including full-time ministry as one possible calling.
  • Include youth in meaningful church leadership roles
  • Create and encourage youth to lead in the local church, district, and conference level events.
  • Encourage high school juniors and seniors to participate in the Experiential Leadership Institute (ELI) Summer Program sponsored by North Georgia Camping and Retreat Ministries. more

4 | Adopt a Seminary Student

Choose a seminary student from your congregation or contact the Office of Ministerial Services to be matched with a student. Adoption activities may include sending greeting cards for birthdays and holidays, care packages during finals, meals, etc. This is meant to be a personal connection between your church and the student.

5 | Give Financially to Support Candidates for Ministry

  • Sponsor a Young Adult to attend GBHEM’s Exploration Event, a bi-annual event held for 18-26 year-olds considering ordained ministry
  • Give a scholarship to a seminary or Course of Study student. Select a student from your congregation or another congregation if you do not currently have a student.
  • Pay MEF 100%. The Ministerial Education Fund enables the Church to unify and expand its program and financial support for the recruitment and education of ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands in this area.

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