1. The Divine Call

2. What is the one task that God has given to his church?
Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

3. What is the one task that God has given to his church?
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

4. Does every Christian have a call to share the gospel?
1 Peter 2:9 You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

5. What is the public ministry?
Romans 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

6. Hebrews 5:4-6 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jeremiah 23:21 I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.

7. How does God extend a call into the public ministry?
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Mark 3:14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.”

8. How does God extend a call into the public ministry?
Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

9. How does a pastor get a call in the WELS?
First call is an appointment by conference of presidents
All the one’s after that are from churches
Churches are given call lists by the conference of presidents

10. What does a WELS pastor do if he has TWO calls?!
He acknowledges the call.
He asks for prayer to help him decide where God can use him best in his kingdom.
He gathers information to help him decide where God can use him best in his kingdom.
He returns one of the calls

11. The Divine Call