One of my favorite conversations that took place during my Annual Consultation with my Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) concerned my ‘sense of call’ and it went something like this:
CPM: “So, tell us where you think you’re going to end up after seminary, what trajectory are you on?”
Adam: “Well, it really depends on the day. Somedays I think that doing parish ministry is something that I would really love. However, other days I think that getting back into youth ministry is where I’m being called. However, during my Field Ed last year, I really found an appreciation and love for campus ministry, and I think the life of a campus chaplain would be really wonderful.”
CPM: “So, you really don’t have a sense of call at all then?”
Adam: “No, I wouldn’t say that – it’s just that I still have 2 years left in seminary, and I know I feel called to the ministry, but I just wouldn’t say I’m 100% sure what ministry yet.”
CPM: “But…what I hear you saying is that you really have no idea what your sense of call is…”
Adam: “No, I don’t think that’s what I’m saying…”
So my question to all of you is, what determines a true sense of call? Is it a blueprint for the rest of your life (or at least the first few years out of seminary)? Or is it more a gut feeling that you are on the right path? I went into that meeting believing I did have a sense of call (I still believe that). But as I walked out of the meeting, I was confused why they would desire such specificity when I still had 2 years left in school. Does a lack of specificity negate a feeling of being called? It seemed to be that way for my CPM. So what does a true sense of call consist of?