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The Call to Ministry
This is a different sort of book. Or workbook. Or journal. Whatever it is, this resource from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is meant to help you discern whether or not God has called you to ministry. And it’s meant for you to use and devour. You’ll notice pages with blank space; those pages are for you to respond to questions, react to the quotations and reflect on the Scripture references you’ll find throughout. So, open your Bible, get out your pen and discover whether God has called you to this most noble and weighty task.
- GenresTheology
126 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
R. Albert Mohler Jr.
113 books422 followersDr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 2, 2026
I just finished The Call to Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with contributions from R. Albert Mohler Jr., Donald Whitney, and Daniel Dumas — and overall, it was a solid and clarifying read.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t romanticize ministry. It doesn’t sell the stage. It doesn’t market influence. It frames ministry as weight, responsibility, and calling under God — not ambition. That part resonated with me deeply. Ministry is not about platform; it’s about accountability before Christ.
Mohler’s emphasis on doctrinal clarity and the seriousness of handling God’s Word was strong. That’s something I align with completely. If a man cannot rightly divide Scripture, he has no business shepherding souls. Period. The reminder that theology fuels ministry — not personality — was refreshing in a culture that celebrates charisma over conviction.
Whitney’s focus on spiritual disciplines was also helpful. He ties personal holiness directly to pastoral effectiveness. You can’t lead publicly what you’re not cultivating privately. That’s biblical. Ministry without prayer and Word intake becomes hollow fast.
Dumas’ practical insights into shepherding and church leadership were grounded and realistic. He highlights the relational cost of ministry — and that’s something many young men underestimate. People’s lives are heavy. Shepherding is not casual work.
That said, the book stays within a fairly standard Southern Baptist framework. It’s strong on structure and clarity, but it doesn’t go as deep into spiritual warfare, cultural hostility, or end-times endurance as I personally would. It’s solid, but it’s institutional in tone. Good foundation — not the whole picture.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t romanticize ministry. It doesn’t sell the stage. It doesn’t market influence. It frames ministry as weight, responsibility, and calling under God — not ambition. That part resonated with me deeply. Ministry is not about platform; it’s about accountability before Christ.
Mohler’s emphasis on doctrinal clarity and the seriousness of handling God’s Word was strong. That’s something I align with completely. If a man cannot rightly divide Scripture, he has no business shepherding souls. Period. The reminder that theology fuels ministry — not personality — was refreshing in a culture that celebrates charisma over conviction.
Whitney’s focus on spiritual disciplines was also helpful. He ties personal holiness directly to pastoral effectiveness. You can’t lead publicly what you’re not cultivating privately. That’s biblical. Ministry without prayer and Word intake becomes hollow fast.
Dumas’ practical insights into shepherding and church leadership were grounded and realistic. He highlights the relational cost of ministry — and that’s something many young men underestimate. People’s lives are heavy. Shepherding is not casual work.
That said, the book stays within a fairly standard Southern Baptist framework. It’s strong on structure and clarity, but it doesn’t go as deep into spiritual warfare, cultural hostility, or end-times endurance as I personally would. It’s solid, but it’s institutional in tone. Good foundation — not the whole picture.
February 27, 2021
I “read” this “book” for a church program I’m in called Pastoral Pipeline. This book is interactive and asks many questions that has you reflect and journal on your thoughts and feelings about a calling to ministry. It’s not really a book in the normal sense because there is very little reading compared to the amount of journaling.
It can be very harsh in how important it is to know your calling, but with good reason. Pastoral ministry is no joke and will ruin many people, often because they are not prepared. The content for the most part is really good, helpful, and challenging. It’s definitely worth looking into if you feel called to be a pastor or lead a church as a church planter or missionary.
It can be very harsh in how important it is to know your calling, but with good reason. Pastoral ministry is no joke and will ruin many people, often because they are not prepared. The content for the most part is really good, helpful, and challenging. It’s definitely worth looking into if you feel called to be a pastor or lead a church as a church planter or missionary.
April 2, 2022
This is the resource that I will be I’ve to ANYONE who is either thinking through a potential calling to the ministry of the Word or someone who may be doubting their calling to the ministry of the Word.
It is both encouraging while simultaneously frightening. Encouraging for those called to ministry and have experienced this “internal call” because it confirms the calling. And it is also frightening because it does not talk about the ministry of the Word as something this is easy. They used quotes from preachers that basically was a warning that if you can stay away from the pulpit, then do it.
But for those who have experienced this internal call, they cannot stay away from the pulpit while still being faithful to the Lord.
It is both encouraging while simultaneously frightening. Encouraging for those called to ministry and have experienced this “internal call” because it confirms the calling. And it is also frightening because it does not talk about the ministry of the Word as something this is easy. They used quotes from preachers that basically was a warning that if you can stay away from the pulpit, then do it.
But for those who have experienced this internal call, they cannot stay away from the pulpit while still being faithful to the Lord.
July 17, 2023
Anyone going in ministry, please read this book thoroughly.
July 15, 2016
This is a great book for anyone who thinks they may be called to ministry, whether pastoral or not. The book specifically deals with asking questions that revolve around pastoral ministry, but I found the challenges and exhortations helpful for any field of ministry that requires a level of discipline in following Jesus. It caused me to see how much I lack, in my own personal life, the disciplines of a godly leader. This workbook is exciting and humbling. It's a worth-while read for anyone asking themselves if they are feeling drawn to ministry in any sort of leadership context.
April 7, 2016
A very good book for those wondering if they are called to become a pastor or missionary. Well designed with bold color and graphics. Plenty of thought provoking questions and quotations. Plenty of room for writing down your thoughts.
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September 16, 2017An excellent set of questions, challenging the reader right from Scripture. This book has been a help to me and I will recommend it to others.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews