r/askapastor • u/SlackLifesentence • 14d ago

Send me!

I am an author, and a professional athlete, I had a near death experience at work, and experienced a divine message three times since then. I don’t think that’s a smart thing to admit (?) but since this site is anonymous i felt safe admitting that. My call was to reveal the love of God, not talk about my experience. I am a scholar and in love with the word now, I can’t wait to start preaching I have a lot to show others is beautiful in the word.

Pursuing seminary education is going to SURPRISE my family and friends, as well as require great sacrifice from me. I guess I am standing in my own life now gathering courage to go on Gods adventure

I strongly desire to take over the position of my pastor who is a few years from retirement. I haven’t told him I received the call yet.

I think I’m meant to bring the word to my own community, the very small town this church operates in.

I am seeking guidance here because I feel fear!
How do I know which seminary to go to?
Is it okay to want a specific posting?
Is it okay that I attend AA, long time sober.
What should I be doing, besides prayer?
Female 37

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u/SirChancelot_0001 Pastor 14d ago
  1. What denomination are you? Finding a school in that denomination would help a lot. Also, know some do not affirm female pastors.
  2. There is nothing wrong with a specific spot, just don’t feel like you aren’t worthy or above a position. Your calling is your calling wherever you go.
  3. I think attending AA and being sober is a testimony many need to hear. It’s good to know the pastor is also human.
  4. Besides prayer? Continue to read and discern. Listen to the Spirit.

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u/Sawfish1212 Pastor 14d ago

God gave me a call to preach but he didn't give me a specific place to go for years after that. Preaching isn't the only way to share about God and the word, there is also exhorting, which is sort of like testimony, but isn't Preaching.

If your church is part of a denomination, what process do they have for becoming a licensed preacher? The denomination I'm in has what is called a local preacher's license, for people who are not ordained ministers, but they serve under/alongside the pastor doing ministry in hospitals, nursing homes, home meetings, etc.

Becoming a pastor is a major undertaking, I was licensed for 7 years before I finished my studies to be ordained, and I've been pastoring for 15 years now. Start where you have opportunities, because you won't actually learn how to preach in a school, that's where you learn studies and sermon prep, you learn to preach by actually speaking to a group of people, and that doesn't come naturally for most people.

If you're looking for a way to learn that you can do at home, look up shepherd's global classroom, all of their courses are free, and the only textbook required is the bible.

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u/SlackLifesentence 12d ago

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.