Welcome to Follow The Call!
Follow the Call is now official, and this is our first blog post!
I am not unlike many men who have felt a call to ministry in their childhood, however rather than taking action waited until later in life. I feel privileged as to grown up in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod where I was well-grounded in the doctrine of my faith. However, It is not the church of who we have a saving relationship, it is with our Savior Jesus Christ. On the eve of the final days of my 50’s, I have grown deeper in the knowledge of my faith as a Southern Baptist, being part of a strong church family at Long Hollow near Hendersonville, Tennessee. There, I have been part of community and discipled well. I also was encouraged to advance my education completing a Master’s Degree in Christian Ministry at Liberty University. What this has done for me is like plowing soil and preparing ground for a new growing season of spiritual growth to preach, teach, counsel and guide men to pick up the torch to herald the word of God to a lost world.
Every month hundreds of men are leaving the ministry, some are retiring, others are burnt out, others seeking opportunities to improve their home life or provide more financial stability for their families. One thing is for certain is we need men to replace those leaving the ministry, revitalize churches and to raise up many more to plant churches throughout this land. The United States based upon polls created by experts in these matters like Barna indicate that only 1 in 4 people in the United States are practicing Christians. It is time for a new revival in this country and that begins with raising up many disciple makers, some who will become involved in vocational ministry.
We believe there are three calls, (1) the call to salvation; (2) the call to spiritual growth and discipleship; and (3) the call to vocational ministry. Our aim at Follow the Call is certainly to aide people to follow through on the call to salvation, and we definitely want to help believers to strengthen their ability to disciple others. We also believe if you have a ministry calling within your church, you should definitely pursue that calling. However, the primary emphasis of our ministry is wrapping our arms around men who feel called to preach in the context of vocational ministry. We want to assist pastors to identify these men, help pastors to create cohort within their church even if just one man to help them pursue their calling. We want to provide tools to help pastors to come along side of these men and disciple them.
Our prayer for you if you feel the call to vocational ministry is first to pray, seek the Lord and discern what has been placed upon your heart. And if it is to pursue vocational ministry to be bold, fearless and courageous undaunted to follow the call and develop your abilities. Our prayer for pastors is to recognize there are men in your midst seeking the Lord now as they consider a call to ministry, and for you to take the initiative to counsel them and guide them as they prepare.
In conclusion as a final charge to us all, upon reflecting on Paul’s words to Timothy: “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also”(2 Timothy 2:1-2 Christian Standard Bible).
Godspeed to you in your efforts to expand the kingdom!
Rob Millman
