In many ways, people decide to become ordained ministers or priests in the same ways that others decide to become school teachers, physicians, engineers, lawyers, or computer programmers. Perhaps they find the work and challenges of ministry attractive as a career choice. Perhaps they admire someone who is in the ministry, or someone they respect suggests that they look into the ministry as a vocational possibility.

There are many paths into ministry and many reasons why people choose ministry as their work.

However, Christians believe that God is also active in the process of beckoning people to the work of ministry, guiding and shaping people in their choices to become ministers or priests. While it is true that people choose the ministry, it is also true that they are chosen for the ministry by God. In other words, God calls people to the ministry.

God moves and guides people in numerous ways, of course, but God often uses the church itself as a means to call people into the ministry. As people participate in the life and mission of the church, and as the church helps people to discover their gifts, some find themselves being led toward ordained or lay ministry as a life's work. more >